Guide
Resume vs CV: what's the difference and which do you need?
The words resume and CV are often used interchangeably, but their meaning depends on where you are applying and what kind of job it is. In the United States and Canada a resume is a short, tailored summary while a CV is a long academic record; in the UK, Ireland and much of Europe, CV simply means the document most people call a resume. This guide explains the differences and how to choose.
The short answer
A resume is a concise, targeted document, usually one to two pages, that highlights the experience and skills most relevant to a specific job. A curriculum vitae (CV), in its traditional academic sense, is a comprehensive record of your entire academic and professional history, including publications, research, teaching and grants, and it grows longer over your career.
Outside North America, however, 'CV' is the everyday name for a resume-style document. A UK employer asking for your CV expects something very close to a two-page US resume, not a ten-page academic record.
Key differences at a glance
When the two terms do refer to different documents, these are the main points that separate them.
- Length: a resume is usually one to two pages; an academic CV has no fixed limit and can run to many pages.
- Purpose: a resume is tailored to each job; a CV is a complete, mostly unchanging record that you add to over time.
- Content: resumes focus on relevant experience, achievements and skills; academic CVs also list publications, presentations, research, teaching, grants, awards and professional memberships.
- Order: resumes usually lead with experience (or education for students); academic CVs typically lead with education and research.
- Use: resumes are standard for most private-sector and non-academic jobs; academic CVs are used for academic, research, scientific and some medical roles and fellowship or grant applications.
Which one to use by country
Regional conventions matter, and the job posting is always the best guide. If it asks for a specific document, use that name and format.
- United States and Canada: use a resume for most jobs and a CV for academic, research, scientific and some medical positions.
- United Kingdom and Ireland: 'CV' means a resume-style document of about two pages. Academic posts use a longer academic CV.
- Europe: 'CV' is the standard term. Some employers and public institutions accept or request the Europass CV format.
- Australia and New Zealand: 'resume' and 'CV' are used almost interchangeably for a document of about two to three pages.
- India, the Middle East and South Africa: the terms are used interchangeably; a 'biodata' is a related, more personal format that is now less common in professional hiring.
- Germany and some other countries: photos and personal details are still common in some sectors, while in the US, UK and Canada you should leave out photos, date of birth and marital status to avoid bias.
What goes in a resume
A strong resume contains your name and contact details, an optional two to three line summary, work experience with achievement-focused bullet points, education, skills and, where relevant, projects, certifications or volunteer work. Everything is chosen for relevance to the job you are applying for, so older or unrelated experience is shortened or removed.
Because resumes are usually submitted through applicant tracking systems, a clean single-column format, standard headings and job-specific keywords help them parse correctly and appear in recruiter searches.
What goes in an academic CV
An academic CV begins with contact details and education, including your dissertation title and advisor. It then lists academic appointments, research experience, publications in a consistent citation style, conference presentations, grants and funding, teaching experience, awards, service, professional memberships, languages and references.
You do not tailor an academic CV as aggressively as a resume, but you can reorder sections to emphasise research for a research-focused post or teaching for a teaching-focused one. Keep publications and presentations up to date as you go; reconstructing them later is painful.
Converting between the two
To turn an academic CV into an industry resume, cut it to one or two pages, translate research into outcomes an employer understands (methods used, problems solved, tools and data handled, results), move publications to a short selected list or remove them, and lead with skills and experience relevant to the role.
To go the other way, expand each section with complete lists, add publications, presentations and teaching, and switch the order so education and research come first. Keeping one master document with everything, and producing shorter tailored versions from it, saves a great deal of time. Portfolio OS lets you keep one profile and create multiple tailored resume versions from it, with templates that include an Academic layout.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CV the same as a resume?
In the UK, Europe and many other regions, yes: CV is the common name for a resume-style document. In the US and Canada, a CV usually means a longer academic record, while a resume is a short, tailored summary.
How long should a CV be?
A UK or European CV is usually about two pages. An academic CV has no fixed length and grows with your publications, teaching and research.
Should I send a resume or a CV?
Follow the job posting. In North America, send a resume unless the role is academic, research or medical. Elsewhere, send a resume-style CV unless an academic CV is requested.
Do I need a photo on my CV?
Not in the US, UK, Canada, Ireland or Australia, where photos are generally discouraged to reduce bias. Some employers in parts of Europe, the Middle East and Asia still expect one, so check local norms.