What Is The Difference? (2025)

When it comes to job hunting, the terms “CV” and “resume” are often used interchangeably. However, they are not the same thing!

If you’ve ever wondered what sets them apart or which one you should use, you’re in the right place. Gathering all the details from our expert career coaches, I’m here to walk you through everything you need to know about CVs and resumes!

Including when to use each one, what to include, and how to craft an impressive document that lands you the job you want.

In This Guide:
What is a CV? A.K.A Curriculum Vitae
What to Include in Your CV
What is a Resume?
What to Include in Your Resume
Example of a CV And a Resume
Key Differences Between a CV vs Resume
Closing Statement

What is a CV? A.K.A Curriculum Vitae

A CV, short for Curriculum Vitae, is a comprehensive document that details your academic achievements, work history, skills, and professional accomplishments.

Unlike a resume, which is typically short and tailored for a specific job, a CV is more detailed and often used in academic, research, and international job applications.

Definition, Length, and Purpose

• Definition: A CV is a detailed document highlighting your career, education, and qualifications.
• Length: Typically 2+ pages (sometimes exceeding 10 pages for highly experienced professionals in academia or research).
• Purpose: Used primarily for academic, research, medical, scientific, and international job applications.

A CV is for people in fields that require extensive documentation of their credentials. It allows potential employers to see your entire career trajectory, including every academic and professional achievement.

Additionally, a CV serves as a reflection of your expertise, demonstrating your qualifications in detail for roles that demand extensive knowledge and research-based contributions.

What to Include in Your CV

A well-structured CV should cover the following 10 sections:

1. Contact Information – Your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile.
2. Professional Summary – A concise overview of your career, skills, and goals.
3. Skills – Both technical and soft skills that are relevant to your industry.
4. Work Experience – List past jobs, including company names, roles, and responsibilities, ideally in reverse chronological order. Highlight projects and leadership roles that contribute to your professional development.
5. Publications & Research – Particularly important for academic and research positions. Include published papers, books, and conference presentations showcasing your contributions to your field.
6. Education – Include degrees, institutions, and graduation dates, focusing on academic excellence and specializations.
7. Certifications & Training – Any additional courses or certifications that strengthen your expertise and demonstrate continued learning.
8. Awards & Honors – Recognitions you’ve received for outstanding work, including fellowships, scholarships, and industry-specific awards.
9. Languages – Any additional languages spoken fluently, as multilingual abilities can be a significant asset.
10. References (optional) – Sometimes required, especially for academic roles. It is best to include at least two professional references who can vouch for your skills and experience.

A well-organized CV should be structured appropriately to reflect your career progression, ensuring that your accomplishments and credentials are clearly presented.

Remember to keep the format professional, use bullet points for readability, and maintain a logical flow are key aspects of an effective CV!

What is a Resume?

A resume, on the other hand, is a concise, tailored document that highlights your skills and work experience relevant to a specific job.

Unlike a CV, which is more detailed, a resume is typically 1–2 pages long and customized for each job application.

However, Resumes and CVs are used interchangeably. Oftentimes, companies may use one term for the other. Overall, they are both a document that details your professional work experience and your career progress.

Definition, Length, and Purpose

• Definition: A resume is a brief, tailored document highlighting your most relevant experience.
• Length: 1-2 pages.
• Purpose: Used primarily for corporate, private sector, and non-academic jobs.

All in all, a resume is designed to be a quick snapshot of your career, helping hiring managers identify your skills and suitability for a role within seconds.

A well-structured resume should be highly focused and omit unnecessary details that are irrelevant to the job in question.

Resumes are particularly useful in competitive job markets where recruiters scan through numerous applications quickly.

Since hiring managers often review a resume in under 10 seconds, make sure yours is clear, straight to the point, and impactful.

By tailoring your resume for specific job applications, you can demonstrate your suitability for the role and make a stronger impression on potential employers.

Resume Quick Tip: Avoid generic descriptions and instead focus on accomplishments and contributions that make you stand out. Use numbers, percentages, and specific examples to highlight your success in past roles.

What to Include in Your Resume

A great resume should contain these 7 things:

1. Contact Information – Your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile.
2. Professional Summary – A short paragraph summarizing your experience and skills in a compelling manner that captures the recruiter’s attention.
3. Work Experience – Focus on the most relevant roles and achievements, emphasizing quantifiable impact. Use bullet points to outline responsibilities and key accomplishments clearly.
4. Skills – List both technical and transferable skills relevant to the job role, showcasing your expertise in critical areas.
5. Education – Keep it brief (degree, school, and year of completion). If you have extensive work experience, place this section after your professional history.
6. Certifications & Training – Relevant certifications that boost your qualifications and enhance your industry credibility.
7. Optional Sections – Include additional relevant experiences such as volunteer work, awards, leadership roles, and industry-related affiliations.

Example of a CV And a Resume

Key Differences Between a CV vs Resume

To summarise, what you need to keep in mind is:

A CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a Resume differ primarily in length, content, and purpose.

A CV is a comprehensive document that details an individual’s entire academic and professional history, often extending beyond two pages.

It is commonly used for academic, research, and medical positions, as well as grants and fellowships.

In contrast, a resume is a concise, tailored document that highlights relevant skills, experience, and achievements, typically limited to one or two pages.

Resumes are job-specific, focusing on key qualifications that match a particular role, whereas CVs provide an exhaustive career overview.

Additionally, CVs remain static, with updates only for new achievements, while resumes are frequently adjusted based on job applications.

Closing Statement

And there you have it! Whether you’re applying for a corporate position or an academic role, having a well-crafted document can make all the difference.

If you’re uncertain about which format to use or need help crafting a standout CV or resume, our expert resume writing and job placement services can give you the edge you need to land your dream job.

Reach out to us today for personalized career guidance and professional resume assistance!

Fill out the form below for a Free CV Review!

Want to learn more? Check out our other career articles below: