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Are you confused about sending an employer a Curriculum Vitae or a resume? It’s understandable, as CV and resume are often used interchangeably. However, some key differences between a CV and a resume change their meaning and usage. So, to clear your doubt and this constant dilemma of whether to send a CV or resume for a job application. Let’s understand what a CV is and what a resume is.
What is a CV?
Curriculum Vitae literally means a person’s life course in Latin. So, if you are wondering what the meaning of a CV is then it is a document that covers the whole course of your career in detail. It could be two pages or 10+ pages, depending upon your achievements.
It is mainly used by people looking for fellowships, postgraduate admissions, teaching/research positions, or high-level research vacancies, including PhD programs and grad schools. Moreover, a CV means a history of one’s academic credentials.
If you’re writing a CV, you should include contact information, personal statement, education, employment history, skills, publications, honours and awards, certifications, grants and fellowships, teaching experience (if any), research projects, memberships, dissertations, conferences, etc.
In some European countries, a CV is often seen as a document for a job application. In Canada, a CV and a resume can be interchangeable. So, it’s always best to clarify what one is asking for.
Types of CV
- Chronological CV: In this type of CV format, the candidate can list their work history with their recent job. If one has prior work experience, then this is an excellent CV to go for. It mainly highlights one’s skills and project experience chronologically.
- Functional CV: This emphasizes more on skills. This format focuses more on one’s skills and work experience than work history. It is a good idea to go for a functional CV if one doesn’t have much prior work experience, has gaps in one career, or wants to change careers.
- Combination CV: It is a combination of a chronological and a functional CV. It highlights one’s skills and provides a chronological work history.
What is Resume?
A resume is a tailor-made document for jobs you’ll be applying for. It represents one as the best-qualified candidate for a job, helping them to get personal interviews.
The primary purpose of a resume is to give recruiters a small summary of your work history. Thus, you must include your contact, objective, work experience, education, skills, and additional information such as awards, courses, publications, certifications, interests, etc.
A resume also helps highlight your work experience and job skills and places less weight on education. Only when a candidate lacks experience does the resume focus more on the education section. The length may vary according to work experience, but the resume must be kept within a single page.
Types of Resume
- Chronological resume: The resume format lists one’s work experience in chronological order, starting with the most recent position. Besides, it is a usual format that many hiring managers prefer.
- Functional resume: It looks at the skills and experience of a person. A functional resume format is ideal for anyone who wants to change careers or has less work experience.
- Combined Resume: It is a mix of chronological and functional formats. It highlights one’s skills and experience before mentioning employment history chronologically.
- Targeted Resume: A targeted resume focuses on the qualifications and experience for a job opening. It requires more preparation as it is for one specific company.
Ons, skills, and achievements, job seekers can make their resumes stand out and increase their chances of securing an interview. Customizing the resume to match the requirements of each job application is crucial in showcasing the most relevant and compelling information to potential employers.
Read about:
Learn How to Describe Yourself in Your Resume
Best Resume Format for Freshers with Samples
Difference Between CV and Resume
Now that you know what a CV and a Resume are, let’s understand how they are different. A comparative table shows the difference between CV and a Resume.
|
Basis of Difference |
CV |
Resume |
|
Type of Document |
A CV is usually a descriptive document that includes details about the candidate, like academics, working history, achievements, etc. |
A resume is a summarised document including a candidate’s work history and experience details. |
|
Focus On |
It focuses more on a person’s academic growth. As most people applying for research positions need CVs, they require a CV focused on academics rather than skills. |
Resume is more focused on skills. The resume must mention a person’s skills, which could help one get a job. |
|
Used To |
It is mainly used while applying for academic or research positions. |
It is used mainly to apply for corporate, non-profit, and government positions. |
|
Customization |
A CV is more general, and the information stays the same mostly. |
Candidates can make changes to a resume according to the job position they’re applying for. |
|
Information Included |
In a CV, a candidate must include all the information, publications lists, and education history. |
In a resume, one needs to include information only if it is relevant to the job you are applying for. |
|
Content Order |
A CV needs to be in chronological order. |
The resume does not need to be in chronological order |
|
Length |
Length makes a difference between cv and resume. A CV could be more than two pages long, depending upon one’s experience. |
Resume should be limited to a maximum of two pages. |
Difference Between CV and Resume With Example
Here is an explanation of the difference between CV and Resume with example. Use these examples as a guideline for your next job application.
Example for a CV
In a CV, one should also start with information like name, contact information, personal statement, professional experience, academic qualifications, skills, etc. It could also include certifications, language fluency, publications, awards or honours, and volunteer work.
Riya Sharma
YZ, Nehru Colony, New Delhi (Add the link to Twitter/Blog/Portfolio)
84758xxxxx | riya.kumari@gmail.com
Objective: Getting admitted to a premier institution for research work. It will help me attain the experience I would require for further education.
Education
1. Bachelor’s in Business Management | Amity University| 2015-2018 GPA: 8.9
2. Master’s in Business Administration | IMM Ahmedabad | 2020-2022 GPA: 8.0
Certifications and Awards
1. I have completed a certification course in Human Resources from IIT, Bombay. I also worked as a research intern at the same institution for 3 months.
2. Awarded a medal and a certificate for passing with distinction in my Bachelor’s course.
3. I have participated in inter-college competitions for debates and have won various awards for my college.
Experience
Human Resource Manager | Cognizant | 2018-2020
I managed the employees’ internal communication and recruitment for the organization.
Skills
1. Human Resource Management
2. Time Management
3. Research Work
4. Know MS Word, Excel, and Adobe PhotoShop
5. Good with managing clients.
Activities
I’m highly focused and dedicated to any projects that I take up, and that has been the case with my work as well as my academic studies. Also, I work hard to provide premium quality work in the given time.
References
Birendra Sharma, Professor, Amity University
Akash Banerjee, Senior Professor, IIM Ahmedabad
Example of a Resume
One must include basic information in the resume like name, contact information, resume summary, objective statement, employment history, accomplishments, skills, and certifications for the job.
Preeti Sharma
ABCD Area, Connaught Place, New Delhi | 84958xxxxx | preeti.@email.com
Objective: I aim to work with an organization that could utilize my skills and help me to grow simultaneously.
Education
Degree | College | Date Earned
1. Graduation: Bachelor in English, Kirorimal College Delhi University, 2015
2. Post Graduation: Master’s in Journalism, Asian College of Journalism, 2017
Skills & Abilities
1. Writing
I have written for premiere organizations for more than 4 years and attained more than 200 bylines.
2. Editing
It is one of my core skills. I have edited articles for college magazines as well as for the organizations I worked for.
3. Research
Research is one of the critical skills I have. I use it for writing articles on different subjects.
Experience
1. Sub-Editor| The Hindu | 2017-2019
I edited articles on Education, Art & Culture, and Politics. Also, edited at least 3-4 articles a day while working in this organization.
2. Reporter| The Indian Express | 2019-2021
I have written articles on politics, crime, education, and entertainment. Wrote a minimum of two pieces per day. Their research work included on-ground reporting, attending press conferences, and conducting interviews.
When To Sent a CV
A CV is sent ideally for job roles that need specific expertise. It could include multiple pages of information about academics, professional skills, and work experience.
It applies while applying for academic-related jobs or research positions, as a person’s qualifications will appeal to organizations in the education sector.
When To Sent a Resume
A resume is sent when you are applying for non-academic or non-research jobs. It is mainly used to apply for government, non-profit, and corporate job openings. A one-page resume gives complete information about the person applying.
Resumes are way less descriptive. So, keep your resume short and concise with all the relevant information. It makes it easy for the employer to scan your profile and check if you fit the job description.
Difference Between CV and Resume- The Better Choice
If you are confused about whether you should go for a CV vs. a resume, it is crucial to understand that both CVs and resumes have different purposes.
A CV gives a full view of your career, including education and work experience. On the other hand, a resume provides a short description of your work, achievements, and skills.
So, resumes, being short and precise, help HR to easily and quickly go through the document. On the other hand, for academics, it is vital to use a CV to get more information about a candidate’s knowledge of the subject.
Get Your Dream Job
You must have understood the difference between a CV and a resume. A CV could be lengthy, whereas a resume must be shorter, typically one page. CV is mainly used for applying for research-related or education-related positions, while a resume is used for corporate, public sector, or non-profit jobs.
That’s why you must research what employers want from you, a resume or CV. Check out structures and templates that will best suit your job position. In addition, make sure to keep your CV or resume simple and concise.
Try to make the CV or resume by highlighting the qualifications and experience the employer is asking for. For a resume, keywords also play an essential role so read through the job description and find the words and information the employer is looking for.
Ready to take the next step in your job search? Create a standout resume and cover letter with Chegg’s expert tips and guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, both are not interchangeable. A CV includes more information about a person’s education, awards, certifications, and honours. So it is best to apply for academic and research roles with a CV.
On the contrary, it is better to provide a resume than a CV in case of a job hiring. A hiring manager might prefer a shorter document like a resume.
Both CVs and resumes have different purposes. For example, a CV gives an in-depth look into one’s career, including education and work experience. In contrast, a resume summarises one’s relevant work, achievements, and skills.
The choice between a CV and a resume depends on various factors, such as job requirements, industry norms, and regional preferences. Generally, a CV is more comprehensive and suitable for academic, research, or highly specialized positions, while a resume is concise and focused on work experience, skills, and achievements. It’s essential to understand the expectations of the job market you’re targeting to determine which document will best highlight your qualifications.
Yes, there are notable differences between a CV and a resume. A CV is a detailed document that provides an extensive overview of an individual’s academic and professional background, including research, publications, teaching experience, and more. On the other hand, a resume is a summary that emphasizes relevant work experience, skills, and achievements. The choice between the two depends on the job requirements, industry practices, and regional preferences.
CVs are more suitable for specialized job tasks that demand an academic background.
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