Resume and CV are terms that are used interchangeably but are actually two different things. This blog briefly unpacks the key differences of both documents and is helpful for jobseekers as well as professional resume writers.
If you’re about to apply for a job, or preparing a resume for a client, make sure you know the difference.
Resumes
A resume is a short document that summarises your work experience and qualifications. It is 1-2 pages long and includes your employment history, education, certifications, and core competencies. The best resumes also provide the contact details of 1-3 referees — people who can verify your skills and career achievements.
The primary function of a resume is get you noticed by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and shortlisted for an interview. It’s critically important that your resume uses appropriate keywords and is formatted correctly, otherwise ATS may overlook or reject your job application.
When writing a resume, always adapt your work experience, skills, and achievements to the requirements of the job description or advertisement.
EXAMPLE: Let’s say you’re a business analyst and applying for two different jobs. The first job has a high focus on interagency collaboration while the second job is very focused on technical skills and the ability to present financial data using infographics and visible indicators. You should submit a different version of your resume with each job application.
In the first, you might describe leading a successful project that gathered data from three different stakeholders and resulted in a reduction to operating costs. The second resume might list some of the technical enhancements you made to the management reports and how well received they were by the organisation’s CEO and Board of Directors.
Ultimately, your resume should provide just enough information to get the recruiter interested enough to offer you an interview.
Resume can also be spelled résumé which looks a bit fancy. The word1 has been adapted over many centuries from the French language and originally meant ‘a summary‘.
CVs
CV is the common term for a curriculum vitae. It’s a long document that presents your full career profile and may include your employment history, qualifications, professional memberships, and achievement awards as well as any published research and presentations you have delivered at industry conferences and symposiums.
CVs are mainly used by academics and high-end professionals who have an established body of work and/or notable career history.
The primary function of a CV is to give the recruiter, and in most cases this will be a selection panel, a detailed insight into your career background and professional profile.
The key content of a CV doesn’t really change. Rather, it is updated every time you achieve a career milestone such as publishing new research or being offered a Grant or Fellowship.
When writing a CV, always follow the formatting standards and referencing conventions of your industry, work sector or academic faculty. You should still use appropriate keywords, but they don’t have the same level of importance as a resume.
Curriculum vitae is a Latin phrase that means the course of (one’s) life2. The plural is Curricula Vitae.
Deciding whether to submit a resume or CV
The best way to decide which document to submit in a job application is to read the advertisement carefully. If it asks for a 2-page resume, submit a 2-page resume — even if you have a 30-year career history.
If you’re worried that your resume is too brief, create a comprehensive LinkedIn profile to support your application. LinkedIn profiles give you the space to list in detail your entire career history, qualifications, courses, licences, certifications, awards, and professional memberships. You can also include published books and research papers as well as volunteer activities and community work.
LinkedIn is the largest network professional network and has more than 1 billion users worldwide. Studies indicate that somewhere between 67% and 87% recruiters actively use LinkedIn to vet candidates34.
Need some help with your own resume?
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- LAST UPDATE: 12th JANUARY 2025
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REFERENCES
- “Resume” vs. “Résumé”: A Brief Account Of Their Differences. (2023, September 5). dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/e/resume-vs-resume-a-brief-account-of-their-differences/ ↩︎
- Definition of CURRICULUM VITAE. (2024, December 11). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/curriculum+vitae ↩︎
- Do employers view your professional social network before hiring. (n.d.). Retrieved January 12, 2025, from https://www.robertwalters.co.uk/insights/career-advice/blog/64-percent-of-employers-view-candidate-professional-social-network-profiles-before-hiring.html
↩︎ - 93% of recruiters use Linkedin to find candidates, but only 50% of Linkedin users have a 100% complete profile | LinkedIn. (n.d.). Retrieved January 12, 2025, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/93-recruiters-use-linkedin-find-candidates-only-50-users-steve-bruce/
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