What is the difference between CV and Resume?
While reading job postings, you can pay attention to that some employers ask for a resume and others for a CV. While both resumes and CVs are used in job applications (and some employers may accept either), these two documents have several differences.
A resume is a brief summary of your skills and experience and should be tailored to each position you apply. Therefore the purpose of a resume is to provide recruiters with a brief overview of the candidate’s work history, and shouldn’t be longer than two pages. A CV is more detailed and includes information about your education and professional career. In the USA and Canada, a CV is mostly used only for academic applications: academic jobs, grants, research fellowships, etc.
3 main differences between a CV and a resume
- Length: Resume – ideally if it takes from one to two pages. CV can run several pages in length. That is because a CV includes more information than a resume.
- Experience/career type: Resume should focus on skills and experience relevant to the position you are applying to. The CV should cover all your education, professional career, publications, awards, honors, and other achievements.
- Ability to customize: Resume should be tailored to the position you are applying, and highlight specific skills and experience, courses, and education essential for the job. A CV is a static document that does not change. You may only add new information to a CV throughout your professional career.
What should you include in a CV?
- Your contact information, without a photo
- Research Objective or Professional Profile
- Education (from newest to latest)
- Books or books chapters you have written
- Peer-Reviewed Publications
- Other Publications
- Awards and Honors
- Grants and Fellowships
- Conferences
- Teaching Experience
- Research Experience / Lab Experience / Graduate Fieldwork
- Non-Academic Activities
- Languages and Skills
- Memberships
- References
What should you include in the Resume?
- Contact Information
- Resume Summary or Resume Objective tailored for a specific job
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Additional Sections like: Awards, Courses, Publications, Certificates, Conferences, relevant for the position
Conclusion
Hope this article was helpful and clarified the differences between CVs and resumes. If you’re still not sure about some points, leave us a comment, and we will be happy to help.
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