The Difference Between a Resume and a CV

If you are looking for a difference between a resume and a CV, you are probably considering a new job application. Although both documents are related to a job application, they mean entirely different things. And, to make matters even more confusing, they are international differences in the usage of a CV and a resume.
CV stands for curriculum vitae, which is Latin for “the course of life.” In the UK (and the majority of the European Union), it means the same thing as “resume” in the US. What US citizens refer to as a CV is called an academic CV in the UK.

In this article, you’ll learn about CV vs. resume and writing tips for both formats.

Understanding Resumes

In the UK, CV stands for a resume you submit when applying to any non-academic job. It is usually a one-page document with employment history, professional skills, and educational background. A hiring manager reviews it and decides whether to contact a candidate or not.

Simply put, British CV is the same as an American resume.

CV or Resume question here is all about the words used, not the format or purpose. It is the same document with the same purpose and structure. Please note that this difference is relevant when you are aiming for a job at a British company located in the US and vice versa.

Understanding CVs (Curriculum Vitae)

In the US, a CV is a longer document you’d use to apply for a job in academia. In the UK, it is called an academic CV. The format and purpose are the same.

What makes an academic curriculum vitae different? There are several important features to note:

• It is much more voluminous and can be 3-10 pages long;
• It features much more details relevant to an academic career;
• Usually, you’d write it in the post-graduate stage to apply for academic positions;
• You need to list all of your academic achievements, research cases, awards, certifications, etc;
• Often you’ll need to have and state teaching experience along with scientific areas of interest;
• It showcases your academic qualifications along with skills and competencies that make you stand out from the competition.

Job seekers in the academic field deal with very intense competition. That’s why they must craft a comprehensive document presenting them in the best light possible. Academic CVs provide an in-depth look into one’s academic and educational history.

Resume Format and Content

A resume or British CV is a strictly-formatted document with a precise structure. If you look through resume examples, you’ll notice that it is separated into blocks. Those are:

• Contact information resume summary;
• Professional summary;
• Career history (often in reverse chronological order);
• Educational background;
• Skills;
• Professional achievements and awards;
• Hobbies (optional and used only when relevant to a job application).

Because it is short, a candidate has to be very precise with wording and formatting. Work history must include positions with key responsibilities and the most impressive achievements. A hiring manager often spends a few seconds on a resume, so style and formatting are vital.

This document is used in the majority of job applications in the private or public sectors. The goal is to showcase to a prospective employer that you are a good fit for the role.

CV Format and Content

CV or British academic CV is helpful when applying for an academic job. The Latin word curriculum vitae suggests that it is much more detailed than a resume (which comes from the French word résumé meaning “to summarise”).

So the main differences are in the lengths, detail, and purpose of the documents. Basically, there is no page limit when it comes to academic curriculum vitae. Yet, it still must be concise. People write it to apply for an academic position within the public or private sector.

The structure often includes the following sections:

• Personal information and contact details;
• Areas of research interest;
• Education, including your degrees and theses;
• Academic awards, exchange programs, and grants;
• Professional experience in research;
• Teaching experience;
• Work experience in administrative positions in academia;
• Various training in teaching or researching;
• Professional research, laboratory, and/or technical skills;
• Memberships in professional associations, organizations, or unions;
• Scientific publications;
• Conference participation and presentations;
• Referees.

You’ll need to name all of your academic credentials and achievements. At the same time, it is irrelevant and not included if you have a work history besides this field.

The Role of Resumes and CVs in the UK Job Market

Both a resume and a CV play an integral part in the UK job market. They list experiences and relevant skills. They also both heavily rely on a job description and qualifications named there.

Resume vs. CV is a question of the sector you are aiming for.

When to Use a Resume vs. a CV

When would you use a CV? When applying for a job in the UK, Ireland, or the EU, as long as it has nothing to do with academia. Also, you might use it for a specific job in a UK company operating on US soil. This document will be the same in the US, but it will be called a resume.

When would you use an academic CV? When applying for a position in a research center, university, college, or other academic institution in the UK, Ireland, and the EU. The US variant of the same document is called CV.

Tips for Writing Resumes/CV

To create a successful resume (or CV in the British variant), one needs to follow the guidelines closely. Whether you call it a CV or a resume based on international differences, the resume writing tips are similar:

• Research positions and job descriptions. Look for keywords that signify skills and competencies a prospective employer is looking for. Use the exact keywords in your document;
• Look through resume examples specific to your industry. Pay attention to formatting and editing;
• Constantly adjust the resume to a specific job and company. Do not use one-size-fits-all solutions;
• Present your work experience in reverse chronological CV if you have much of it. If you are a recent graduate, you might put the skills section above the work experience;
• Volunteer work that is relevant to the job can also be placed in work experience;
• Add achievements to your professional experience. If they can be presented in numbers, use them. For example, you’ve improved the company’s Instagram page performance by 15% in your recent job. Showcase it as proof of your expertise;
• Keep it up to one page unless you have more than a decade of experience in the field;
• Write the CV summary last to make sure you know what to include. Highlight 2-3 critical skills that differentiate you from other candidates;
• Avoid grammatical errors and punctuation mistakes. If a recruiter sees them, they might get a wrong impression about your professionalism and dedication.

Among the key differences between a CV and a resume is that here you can name all your work experience even if it is not in the same industry.

As for the formatting, also pay attention to CV examples. The font should be professional – Time New Roman, Arial, Georgia, or Calibri.

The document must be readable and comprehensive. Please do not make it too visually busy. Both a CV and a resume must have clear sections separated with blank spaces.

Tips for Writing Academic CVs

An academic CV presents your work experience and a comprehensive overview of your academic achievements and goals. It will take significantly more time than writing a resume. So the first tip is to start early and collect all the information needed.

• Only include information relevant to the academic positions. Extracurriculars, marital status, or hobbies are most likely irrelevant for the private or public sector. But you can include foreign languages or IT-related skills. Those work well for all types of application documents, whether it is a functional CV or an academic one;
• Personal information regarding nationality makes sense only if it affects potential employment. For instance, if you are an EU citizen with a work permit in the UK;
• If you do not have enough publications, you can include a work in progress but state that it is not done yet (under review/submitted/forthcoming);
• Separate your presentations in seminars and conferences in separate blocks;
• Avoid using local scientific jargon if you are applying for a job in another country. Or alternatively, you can translate it;
• Choose the referees that can vouch for your professional achievements, skills, and competencies. State their full name, place of work, and contact details;
• Always carefully proofread and edit the document before sending it.

Don’ts for crafting a compelling CV or resume

Now that we’ve established the differences between a cv vs. a resume, it is vital to keep in mind the big “don’t” when applying for jobs—both a CV and a resume stand for integrity, honesty, and professionalism.

Here is what you want to avoid in your resume and CV:

• Avoid buzzwords and cliches that bare no meaning. Do not call yourself a “team player” in your resume unless you have a specific experience to illustrate that;
• Leave out anything irrelevant. You do not want to make it too long and disperse the recruiter’s attention;
• Do not add photographs unless otherwise stated in the job description;
• Do not lie or make outrageous claims you cannot support. Although it should go without saying, sometimes people do lie in their resumes. And it never works for them in the end;
• Do not be negative about your recent job or previous employer. It will present you in a bad light.

In Summary

Hopefully, now you know the answer to the CV vs resume question. The confusion comes from differences in the usage of these words in the UK and the US. British CV equals American resume. And British academic CV equals American CV.