CV vs Resume – this is the most highly debated topic in career resource development. People often interchange these terms as they consider it to be the same thing. But there are major differences in design, composition, application and benefits. It’s interesting to know that an American always applies with a resume, a British will use a CV and Australians may use both. Others may not be clear about the differences so there is a possibility that both may be used interchangeably. Let’s discuss the specific elements of each application document and gauge the perfect application scenario for each.
Resumes
A resume, or résumé, is a document containing concise information about a person’s competencies and qualifications. These documents are ideally made in a single page as the reviewer does not intend to spend a lot of time on it. Resumes are prepared with the sole intention of making a job seeker stand out from the crowd. This is a highly useful feature which is really sought in today’s cut throat competition.
It is often suggested that the resume should be customised and targeted in accordance with the industry / job profile in which the application is being made. It is this flexibility and accuracy which makes it one of the most effective application documents for job applicants. While creating a resume design, there is no need for maintaining any chronological order and does not have to give in-depth details of your career. It has to be a brief snapshot about your expertise, skills and capabilities. Mentioning your achievements and positions of responsibility also help in gaining leverage during pre-interview reviews.
Curriculum Vitae
A Curriculum Vitae, known popularly as CV, is an in-depth document that may be laid out over 2 or more pages and is usually a highly detailed document. This is not an average career biography, it is the detailed description of your qualifications, competencies, achievements and skills. CVs are used for mentioning details about recognitions, awards, honours and any other key achievement that could give you a leverage in the recruitment process.
The CV should be arranged in a systematic and chronological manner as the review should be able to get a good understanding of your career path and personal development. This is also important because it shows your competencies as an employee for adapting to changing environment and the eagerness to learn new things. The CV is a constant document and only includes additions. There is no need for modifying it for every job application as the cover letter would be the only document that would need modifications as per application.
Difference between CV and Resume
If you have still not been able to identify the differences between CV and Resume from the above descriptions, then here is a simplified and crisp identification of the differing factors.
Length:
Resume is basically a brief and crisp description of skills and expertise with the document being limited to 1-2 pages. CV’s are more in-depth and detailed with the page length going beyond 2 pages.
Purpose:
Resumes are highly targeted in nature and it is best to modify them to suit each industry / job profile. CVs remain constant with the changes being made to the cover letter. CVs are subjected to additions instead of complete modifications in order to mention new achievements, qualifications, achievements and expertise.
Layout:
A CV needs to be laid out in a chronological order with every detail portrayed in a systematic manner. However, in a resume, it is often recommended that the content be shuffled around as per requirement so as to best portray the abilities and skills of an individual. Resumes are also highly customizable and can even be prepared in a visual and graphically enhanced manner.
Applications:
For candidates in the US and Canada, job seekers prefer the resume for making job applications. A CV is used only when the application is sent to a foreign or international organization, and also when applying for academic profiles.
CV is prominently used in Ireland, UK and New Zealand as the primary application document. Resumes are not used at all in these places.
Australia, India and South Africa are known for interchangeably using the terms CV and Resume with minimal difference being seen in both documents. The common understanding in these regions is that CV should be used when applying for public services while resume is good for making applications to private sector jobs.
Conclusion:
It is important to identify the type of document that would portray your abilities and expertise in the best manner along with complying with the regional preference for application document. Identifying these requirements would not only ensure better chances for securing your dream job but that would also help you in standing out from the crowd. You career needs to be portrayed delicately as the slightest of misrepresentations could make you lose an important career opportunity.
CV Vs Resume - Differences and Applications
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