Curriculum Vitae (CV) vs. Resume

Conceptual differences

There is often confusion in terminology between "Resume" and "Curriculum Vitae" (CV), and understanding the difference is crucial when applying for international or academic positions.

The "Resume", standard in the United States and in the modern corporate world, is a brief (1-2 pages) marketing document focusing on recent competencies and accomplishments relevant to a specific position. Its objective is to get the interview through synthesis.

In contrast, the "Curriculum Vitae", a term that comes from the Latin for "life career", is a comprehensive and detailed document that captures the entirety of a person's professional, academic and research history.

Its length is variable and can easily exceed two pages, reaching five or more in senior profiles, since information is not cut out, but accumulated chronologically to give evidence of the entire trajectory.

Geographical and sectorial uses

The use of one format or another depends to a large extent on geography and sector.

In the United States and Canada, if a company requests a "CV", it usually refers to a Resume, unless it is in the academic or scientific field.

However, in many countries in Europe, the term CV is used to describe the standard job application document.

In academia, medicine or research globally, the long CV is the mandatory standard.

Here, publications, grants obtained, lectures given and professional associations are valued.

If a molecular biologist applies for a research grant, he or she must use a long CV.

If that same biologist applies for a sales position in a pharmaceutical company, he or she should transform his or her CV into a two-page resume, eliminating excessive academic detail to focus on transferable skills.

Content adaptation

Transforming a Resume into a CV (or vice versa) requires content surgery.

To create an academic CV, you must add sections that are normally omitted in the corporate environment: "Research", "Publications", "Teaching", "Awards and Fellowships" or "Affiliations". Imagine a historian.

In his Resume for a publishing house, he would highlight his experience in writing and editing.

In his CV for a university, he would detail his doctoral thesis, his articles in indexed journals, his papers at international conferences and the subjects he has taught.

The key is not to mix purposes: the Resume sells future business potential; the CV certifies past history and intellectual credentials.

Knowing when to use each demonstrates knowledge of the professional etiquette of the industry to which you aspire.

Resume

It is crucial to distinguish between "Resume," a brief marketing document focused on accomplishments, and "CV," a comprehensive record of one's entire career. Understanding this conceptual difference is vital to successfully applying for international or academic positions.

Usage depends on geography and industry; in the U.S. the Resume is preferred, while the long CV is mandatory in academia. Adapting the format to the destination demonstrates knowledge of the professional etiquette of the sector to which one aspires.

Transforming one format to another requires adjusting the content, adding or deleting sections depending on the target. The Resume sells future business potential, while the CV certifies past history and intellectual credentials.