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CV vs resume: What’s the difference?
Learn when to use a CV and when to use a resume for job applications.
CV vs resume: Content differences.
Even though they have similar purposes, the content of a CV vs the content of a resume is very different.
In the United States, a CV may sound like a cover letter, but it’s a document that presents a complete and thorough summary of academic endeavors and accomplishments. It details any and all academic activities that qualify you for a role. Typically, CVs are used to apply for roles in academia and higher education, like graduate school and doctoral programs, scientific researcher positions, and the medical field.
A CV might include what degrees you have completed or are currently pursuing, previous research or teaching experience, awards and honors you have received, publications you have contributed to, presentations you have made, conferences you have attended, licenses and certifications you have earned, and professional associations you are a part of.
A resume focuses on your career background. It highlights professional achievements, certifications, and relevant skills you bring to the table. Resumes are strategic, precise, and succinct. They are targeted toward the role that you are applying for.
How you present the content in your resume will evolve depending on the position and its requirements. For example, you would highlight different skills when applying for a role as a secretary than you would when applying for a role as a personal assistant, even though there may be some overlap in responsibilities. Resumes focus on facts and statistics to demonstrate your qualifications instead of detailed written explanations. View a quick comparison between CV vs resume:
CV vs resume: Format differences.
Both CVs and resumes are living documents that grow with you throughout your academic and professional careers. Some sections and experiences may move higher or lower in importance or even be taken off as you advance in your chosen field. While the information you choose to include may change, the formatting will not. Follow these general guidelines for formatting your CV or resume.
Formatting a CV.
A CV is typically much longer than a resume. It does not have a page limit but generally falls between 2 and 10 pages. The more experienced you are, the longer your CV will become. A good rule of thumb is 2 to 3 pages for an undergrad student and up to 10 pages for a PhD.
Use this outline to format your CV:
- Contact information. List your contact information with your full name, email address, and phone number. You may choose to include your mailing address or current academic institution. This information may be used to contact you with questions or to request an interview.
- Position. In your header, list the position or job title you are applying for and the company or school that posted it.
- Professional summary. Profile your professional qualifications in a short summary. Think of this as your elevator pitch to highlight the biggest accomplishments in your CV relevant to the role. Some reviewers may only read this section before deciding whether or not to read the rest of your CV, so make yourself look good.
- Educational summary. In reverse chronological order, list your degrees along with your GPA, major, minor, and, as applicable, research focuses for each.
- Awards and honors. List any recognitions that you have received, professional or academic. You can even include scholarships or grants you have earned.
- Qualifications. Think of this section of your CV as a more typical resume. Summarize what qualifications you have for the role. This section focuses more on soft skills — like coordinating with multiple groups to gather research or planning fundraising events — since you’ll list your hard skills at the end of the document.
- Teaching experience. List any courses you have taught or been a teaching assistant for. Share dates of where the courses were taught and years for when.
- Publications and presentations. Because CVs are primarily used in academic settings, reviewers have a targeted interest in published research and conference presentations. Cite any of your published works and list dates for any conference presentations.
- Memberships and affiliations. List any academic or professional societies and organizations you are a member of. You can also list any organizations you have volunteered for or led as a member of the board. It may also be relevant to include any university-sponsored clubs or groups you have participated in.
- Technical skills. List relevant hard skills like proficiency in specific computer software programs or programming languages. Share what research databases and methodologies you have used in the past.
Formatting a resume.
Learning how to write a resume can be overwhelming. Even though most resumes contain the same general information, you can organize that information in one of three main formats:
- Chronological. This format is the most common, as it is easy to read and scan. List your job positions in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job first.
- Functional. If you are a first-time job seeker or have limited work experience, this format is a good choice. It starts by highlighting your skills and training instead of your work experience.
- Combination. This format is an excellent choice for experienced professionals because it highlights both skill and training as well as extensive work experiences.
If you aren’t sure where to begin your resume formatting, consider using a resume AI assistant to jump-start the process. No matter which format you choose, your resume should include the following information somewhere in the document:
- Contact information. Include your first and last name, phone number, and email address. Also consider including your LinkedIn profile.
- Skills and qualifications. This section can include both soft and hard skills that are relevant to the job listing. It can include programs you are comfortable using, languages you speak, and interpersonal skills like problem-solving and communicating professionally.
- Education. List your degrees. If you are a recent graduate, include the year you earned your degree. If you are applying for an internship, include your GPA.
- Work history. This section is the bulk of your resume. List all your jobs and professional experiences. Use bulleted lists underneath each position to highlight accomplishments while in that role. The goal is to demonstrate the value that you brought to previous positions and employers.
- Certifications. List professional certifications and licenses you have earned. Learn how to add certifications to your resume in a clear and concise way to catch the reviewer’s eye and stand out from competitors.
Prepare your document for sharing and submitting.
For both documents, choose a common neutral font like Arial, Times New Roman, Cambria, or Calibri. Use between 10- and 12-point font. Keep fonts consistent throughout the document. Use bold font as headers to separate sections and experiences. Bullet points are a great way to organize information in a digestible way.
Once your CV or resume is formatted correctly, save it in a file type that preserves that formatting across programs and devices, such as PDF. Most application systems require that you submit your CV or resume in PDF format. Free conversion tools like Adobe Acrobat help you convert Word documents to PDF easily.
Similarities between a CV and a resume.
Answering the question of what is a CV vs resume can be confusing because both items have the same goal. Both a CV and a resume aim to highlight your relevant experiences and skills in a consolidated and organized way. Usually, a CV or resume is required during an application process to determine which candidates will proceed forward to an interview. Whether you are using a CV or a resume, the document is your chance to put your best foot forward. It’s an opportunity to showcase why you are qualified for a particular role. Outside of your cover letter, your resume or CV is your only chance to make an impression. Take the time to learn how to write a cover letter that supports your resume or CV.
CV vs resume FAQs.
Should I use a CV or resume?
When you are reviewing submission requirements for a job posting, academic enrollment, or internship, the listing should state clearly whether it requires a CV or a resume. If it doesn’t, a resume is always a safe bet. CVs are typically exclusive to academic positions. You may be asked to submit a CV for:
- Graduate or doctoral programs
- Teaching assistant or faculty positions
- Research assistant positions at a university
- Jobs in the medical field
- Jobs at a professional research institute
What does CV mean?
Do Americans say CV or resume?
Do employers prefer CV or resume?
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