Difference Between CV and Resume - Your Essential Guide in 2025

January 23, 2025
difference between CV and Resume
Quick Summary

Quick Summary

  • The difference between CV and resume lies in length and detail.
  • A CV is comprehensive, covering your entire career and education.
  • A resume is concise and job-specific, focusing on relevant experience.
  • Understanding the difference between CV and resume helps improve job applications.

Table of Contents

Are you unsure whether to send a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or a resume to an employer? It’s a common confusion, as the terms “CV” and “resume” are often used interchangeably. However, understanding the difference between CV and resume can help you decide which one to send.

The primary difference between CV and resume lies in their content and length. A CV is a detailed document that includes a comprehensive overview of your academic achievements, work experience, research, publications, and other relevant information. It provides an in-depth look at your career and qualifications, typically used for academic or research positions. On the other hand, a resume is a concise summary of your work experience, skills, and qualifications, usually limited to one or two pages. It is designed for general job applications and focuses on relevant job-related information.

Another key difference between CV and resume is the format. A CV follows a fixed structure, showcasing your career trajectory in chronological order. Meanwhile, a resume is flexible, allowing you to tailor it to each job application by emphasizing the most relevant skills and experiences. Depending on the job you’re applying for, the difference between CV and resume is important to ensure that you provide the right type of document.

In conclusion, understanding the difference between CV and resume is essential for job applicants. A CV is a comprehensive document for academic or research roles, while a resume is a brief summary for general job applications.

What is a CV?

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a detailed document that outlines your entire career, including academic and professional achievements. It can range from a few pages to over ten and is typically used for academic roles, fellowships, and high-level positions like PhDs or research jobs. A CV includes contact info, education, work history, skills, publications, and more.

In contrast, a resume is a concise, one-page document tailored to a specific job, focusing on relevant skills and work experience. The key difference between CV and resume is that a CV provides a comprehensive career history, while a resume is a summary for a particular role. CVs are common in Europe and Canada, while resumes are standard in the U.S.

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 concise, one-page document designed to showcase your qualifications for a specific job. It highlights key information such as your work experience, education, skills, and achievements. The primary goal of a resume is to capture an employer’s attention and secure an interview by focusing on the most relevant details for the role.

The key difference between CV and resume lies in their scope. A resume is brief and job-specific, emphasizing the qualifications that match the requirements of a particular position. On the other hand, a CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a more detailed document that covers your entire career. It includes comprehensive information about your academic background, professional experience, research, publications, and other accomplishments, often used for academic or high-level roles.

In conclusion, the difference between CV and resume is crucial when applying for jobs. A resume is tailored to a specific position and provides a quick snapshot of your qualifications, while a CV offers a complete overview of your career, typically used for academic or research-oriented roles. Understanding this difference can help you choose the right document for your application.

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.

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Difference Between CV and Resume

Now that you know what a CV and a Resume are, let’s explore the difference between CV and resume. A resume is a concise, one-page document that focuses on your work experience, skills, and education relevant to a specific job. It is tailored to the role you’re applying for and highlights only the most important information.

The difference between CV and resume becomes clear when you consider their scope. A resume is brief and job-specific, while a CV provides a detailed account of your entire career, including academic achievements, research, and publications. Understanding the difference between CV and resume will help you choose the right one for your job application.

The comparative table shows the difference between CV and 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.

The length makes a difference between cv and resume. A CV could be more than two pages long, depending upon one’s experience.

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

The 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

Difference Between CV and Resume With Example

Here is an explanation of the difference between CV and resume with examples. A resume is a brief, one-page document tailored to a specific job, highlighting your skills, experience, and education relevant to that position. It is concise and job-specific, focusing only on the most essential information for employers.

On the other hand, the difference between CV and resume lies in their scope. A CV is a detailed, comprehensive document that covers your entire career, including academic achievements, research, and publications. It is often used for academic or high-level roles. Understanding the difference between CV and resume can help you choose the right document for your next job application.

Use these examples as a guideline for your next job application –

Example of 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 honors, 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 used for roles that require specific expertise, such as academic or research positions. It provides detailed information about your education, skills, work experience, and accomplishments, making it ideal for jobs in the education sector.

The key difference between CV and resume is the level of detail. A CV offers a comprehensive overview of your career, including academic achievements, while a resume is shorter and focuses on relevant skills and experience for a specific job.

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 provides complete information about the applicant but is much less descriptive. This highlights the difference between CV and resume, as a CV tends to be more detailed. Keep your resume short with all the relevant information, making it easy for the employer to scan your profile and determine if you fit the job description.

Difference Between CV and Resume- The Better Choice

If you are unsure whether to choose a CV or a resume, it’s important to understand their different purposes. A CV provides a comprehensive overview of your entire career, including education and work experience, while a resume offers a summary of your skills, achievements, and work history. Resumes are concise and easy for HR to review quickly, whereas a CV is more detailed and typically used in academic settings to showcase a candidate’s knowledge and expertise in their field. This highlights the key difference between the two: resumes are job-specific and short, while CVs are comprehensive and academic.

Get Your Dream Job

Understanding the difference between CV and resume is crucial when applying for jobs. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is typically longer, often detailed, and used for academic, research, or education-related positions. It provides a comprehensive overview of your career, including your qualifications, experiences, and publications. On the other hand, a resume is shorter—usually one page—and focuses on relevant skills, work experience, and achievements for corporate, public sector, or non-profit roles.

Before applying, research what the employer expects—whether a CV or resume. Tailor your application accordingly, keeping it clear, concise, and focused on the qualifications the employer seeks. For resumes, using keywords from the job description is essential to stand out.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between CV and resume is essential for creating the right document for your job application. A resume is a short, concise overview that highlights your qualifications tailored to a specific job. It focuses on skills and work experience, making it ideal for most job applications.

On the other hand, the difference between CV and resume becomes clear when considering the level of detail. A CV is more comprehensive and includes a complete record of your career, academic history, and achievements. Knowing the difference between CV and resume will ensure you choose the correct document based on the job and industry you’re applying for.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Can I use a CV instead of a resume?

Ans. No, both are not interchangeable. A CV includes more information about a person’s education, awards, certifications, and honors. 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.

Q2. Which is better – a CV or a resume?

Ans. The main difference between a CV and a resume is that a CV provides a detailed overview of your career, including education and work experience, while a resume offers a concise summary of your relevant work, skills, and achievements. The choice between the two depends on factors like job requirements, industry, and location. Generally, CVs are used for academic, research, or specialized roles, while resumes are shorter and focused on work experience.

Q3. Is there any difference between CV and Resume?

Ans. Yes, there are key differences between a CV and a resume. A CV is a detailed document covering your academic and professional background, including research, publications, and teaching experience. In contrast, a resume is a concise summary focused on relevant work experience, skills, and achievements. The choice between the two depends on job requirements, industry standards, and regional preferences.

Q4. When Can I use a CV?

Ans. CVs are ideal for job roles that require a specialized academic background. They highlight detailed qualifications, professional experiences, and skills that align with specific job requirements. This format is particularly useful for positions in academia, research, and specialized industries where in-depth knowledge and expertise are essential.

Q5. What is the full form of a CV?

Ans. CV stands for Curriculum Vitae. It provides a summary of an individual’s academic background, work experience, skills, and other relevant achievements. It is typically used for applying to academic, research, or specialized positions, offering detailed insights into a person’s qualifications and career path.

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