Reading time: 6 minutes · September 5, 2025
CV vs. Resume: What’s the Difference & Which Do You Need?
It’s a question that trips up even experienced professionals: "Should I send a CV or a resume?" You might think they're the same thing, but in the world of job hunting, they serve very different purposes. Using the wrong one can be a confusing misstep. As your career coach, let's clear this up once and for all so you can apply with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- A resume is a short, tailored summary of your skills and experience, usually 1-2 pages long.
- A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a detailed, comprehensive document of your academic and professional life, often multiple pages.
- The primary difference is length and purpose: a resume is for job applications, while a CV is for academic or research roles.
- In the US and Canada, 'resume' is standard for most jobs. In the UK, Europe, and elsewhere, 'CV' is more common for all job applications.
- Always check the job description and local conventions to know which document to submit.
What is a Resume?
Think of a **resume** as a marketing brochure. It’s a concise, one-to-two-page summary of your skills, experience, and accomplishments. Its only goal is to get you a job interview.
- Length: 1 page is ideal, 2 pages maximum for very experienced professionals.
- Purpose: To provide a highly-tailored snapshot of your qualifications for a *specific* job.
- Content: You should adapt your resume for every application, highlighting only the most relevant achievements and skills that match the job description. It’s all about quality, not quantity.
- Use Case: Standard for most private-sector jobs in the United States and Canada.
What is a CV (Curriculum Vitae)?
A **Curriculum Vitae** (Latin for "course of life") is the opposite of brief. It's a long, detailed document that provides a full history of your academic and professional credentials. It can be many pages long.
- Length: Can be 3, 10, or even more pages. It grows as your career progresses.
- Purpose: To present a comprehensive overview of your academic achievements and expertise.
- Content: It includes everything: your education, publications, research, presentations, awards, grants, and all professional experience. Unlike a resume, a CV is static and not tailored to a specific job.
- Use Case: Primarily used for academic, scientific, research, or medical positions worldwide.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Resume | Curriculum Vitae (CV) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To get an interview for a specific job | To provide a full academic/professional history |
| Length | 1-2 pages | 2+ pages (no limit) |
| Content | Tailored summary of relevant skills and experience | Comprehensive list of all achievements |
| Used For | Most job applications (US/Canada) | Academia, research, medicine (globally) |
When to Use Which? The Golden Rule
This is where it gets tricky, as the terms are often used differently around the world.
Geographical Differences
- In the USA and Canada: Use a **resume** for nearly all jobs. Use a **CV** only if you are applying for academic, medical, or scientific research positions.
- In the UK, Ireland, Europe, New Zealand, and Asia: The term **CV** is used for all job applications. It's essentially what Americans call a resume—a 2-page summary. If they want a detailed academic CV, they will specifically ask for a "full CV" or "academic CV."
Your best bet is always to read the job application instructions carefully. If it's unclear, consider the industry and location. Applying for a software developer job in San Francisco? Send a resume. Applying for a university lecturer position in Berlin? Send a CV.
Conclusion: CV or Resume?
Understanding the difference between a CV and a resume is crucial. A resume is a tailored, concise marketing document for a job, while a CV is a comprehensive record of your academic life. The right choice depends on the role, industry, and location.
No matter which document you need, our resume and CV builder has professional, ATS-friendly templates to help you create the perfect document for any application. Now that you know the difference, you're one step closer to landing that interview!