CVForge / CV vs resume
CV vs resume: it depends where you are
The same word means different documents in different countries. Pick where you are applying to see what employers there expect.
Resume
- Length
- 1 page (2 with 10+ years)
- Photo
- No
- Personal details
- No date of birth, marital status or photo
“CV” in the US means a long academic document. For most jobs, send a resume.
Side by side (US definitions)
| Resume | Academic CV | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Win an interview for one job | Complete record of a scholarly career |
| Length | 1–2 pages | No limit |
| Tailored? | Yes, for every application | Rarely; sections are added over time |
| Order | Summary, experience, education, skills | Education, appointments, publications, grants, teaching, service |
| Used for | Most private and public sector jobs | Faculty, research, fellowships, grants, medicine |
The word comes from Latin: curriculum vitae means “the course of life”, which is why the academic version tries to include everything. Résumé is French for “summary”, which is why it is short.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
In the US and Canada, a resume is a 1–2 page tailored summary for jobs, while a CV (curriculum vitae) is a complete, often long record of an academic or medical career. In the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India and much of Europe, “CV” is simply the normal word for the 1–2 page job document.
Should I send a CV or a resume?
Use whatever the job ad asks for, then match local conventions: a resume for most US and Canadian jobs, an academic CV for US faculty, research and fellowship roles, and a 2-page CV for UK, Irish, Australian and European jobs.
How long is a CV?
A UK-style CV is usually two pages. An academic CV has no length limit and grows with your publications, grants and teaching; ten pages or more is normal for senior academics.
Is a biodata the same as a CV?
Biodata is a term used in India and parts of South Asia for a document with personal details (date of birth, family, religion) sometimes used for government jobs or marriage proposals. For private-sector jobs, a standard CV or resume is expected.