Difference between a Curriculum Vitae and a Resume

Date Posted: 8th February, 2016    Category: Career Advice    Comments: 0

What is the difference between a resume and a CV? The primary differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) are length, what is included, and what each is used for. While both are used in job applications, a resume and a CV are not always interchangeable.

What is a Curriculum Vitae?

Like a resume, a curriculum vitae (CV) provides a summary of one’s experience and skills. Typically, CVs are longer than resumes - at least two or three pages.

CVs include information on one’s academic background, including teaching experience, degrees, research, awards, publications, presentations, and other achievements. CVs are thus much longer than resumes, and include more information, particularly related to academic background.

A curriculum vitae summary is a one-to-two-page, condensed version of a full curriculum vitae. A CV summary is a way to quickly and concisely convey one’s skills and qualifications. Sometimes large organizations will ask for a one-page CV summary when they expect a large pool of applicants.

What is a Resume?

A resume provides a summary of your education, work history, credentials, and other accomplishments and skills. 

There are also optional sections, including a resume objective and career summary statement. Resumes are the most common document requested of applicants in job applications.

A resume should be as concise as possible. Typically, a resume is one page long, although sometimes it can be as long as two pages. Often resumes include bulleted lists to keep information concise.

Resumes come in a few types, including chronological, functional, and combination formats. (will discuss them in details later)

Select a format that best fits the type of job you are applying for.

IN SUMMARY, 

Curriculum Vita (CV)

• What is it?  A summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors and affiliations.
• How long should it be?  There is no page limit.
• What is it used for?  Typically for graduate school and academic positions including faculty openings, assistantships, and internships; also grant, scholarship and fellowship applications.

Resume

• What is it?  A synopsis of the most relevant professional experiences you have for the particular job for which you are applying.
• How long should it be?  One to two pages in length.
• What is it used for?  Typically, you will use a resume when you apply for business, industry, governmental, and non-profit jobs.