Ever wondered why some people apply with CV when others apply with a resume? Well, maybe it is difficult for many of you to understand the difference between a CV and resume. You can even think that what is the need for both of those to be different, when both of them serve the same purpose, applying to a job?

But I want to correct you here and want you to know that there are specific differences in CV vs Resume. This article is to straighten out all your queries about both the documents and help you to decide which to use where.

WHAT IS A CV?

A CV is also called a curriculum vitae. If we try to analyze the inner meaning of the term in Latin, then it means, “the course of life”. So obviously a CV is a detailed and in-depth document which contains a high level of details about your life achievements.

A CV can generally consist of two or more pages, and it is more than just a career biography. Apart from your education, your CV may contain other details like the awards you achieved, any publication or honour etc.

The document is generally organized chronologically and is made very easy to read and understand. The employer can quickly get an idea about the professional life of the applicant. The format of the CV doesn’t change for any particular position, the only difference can happen in the cover letter.

WHAT IS A RESUME?

A resume, on the other hand of the CV vs Resume analysis, is a one-page document which intends that the reader will not stay on your document for a longer time. A resume helps an individual to stand out in the crowd. The job seeker can alter the standard of the resume according to the job position he/she is applying for.

Many job seekers hire resume writing services so that they can get more interviews.

A resume can be changed according to the need and requirement, and it doesn’t need to be organized chronologically. A resume doesn’t even need to cover your entire professional life, or it also need not mention your achievements so far. A resume can be changed and customized at any time.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CV AND A RESUME?

I know that even after knowing the definition of both the documents individually, you can find it hard to understand the differences prominently. There are majorly three differences we enclose in this CV vs Resume article; the length, the purpose of the document, and of course the layout.

• A resume is a brief summary of your work life, experiences, and skills which can be written in one or two pages, but a CV is a detailed and stretched well document of more than two pages.
• One can definitely alter the resume as per the requirement of the position, but the format or the layout of the CV is static, and even though the job seeker can change the cover letter, the CV will stay put.
• You must maintain a chronological order for writing your CV, whereas the information on the resume can be shuffled around.

Let’s Revise the CV vs Resume minutes once again.

CV- Static, Detailed and covers the entire career of the job seeker

Resume- Highly Customizable, Short and brief career details.

WHERE TO USE BOTH OF THEM: CV Vs Resume?

You must also know where to use them, right? A resume is generally preferred in the US and Canada. The Americans use CV only to apply for jobs abroad. A CV is used in the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, and in most of the Asian countries.

But you will be amazed to know that there is no major CV vs Resume differences in Australia, as both of the documents can be used interchangeably.