Resume vs CV: the difference and when to use each

The short answer

In the United States and Canada, a resume is a one or two page summary tailored to a specific job, while a CV (curriculum vitae) is a longer, complete record used mainly in academia, research and medicine. In the UK, Ireland, much of Europe, India, Australia and New Zealand, “CV” usually means what Americans call a resume: a tailored document of one to two pages.

So the question to ask is not which word is correct but what the employer expects. Check the job posting, and when in doubt follow the length and style it implies.

Resume: short and targeted

A resume highlights the experience and skills most relevant to one role. It is usually one page, two for long careers. You choose what to include, and you rewrite it for different jobs. It focuses on achievements and results, not a full history.

CV: complete and detailed

An academic or scientific CV lists everything of professional significance: education, positions, publications, conference talks, grants, teaching, supervision, awards and memberships. It grows over a career and can run to many pages. It is not shortened for each application, though the order of sections may change.

In the free resume builder, use the Academic CV template, and add sections such as Publications or Grants under Additional sections, which accept any title and list of items.

Practical differences

Typical expectations, which vary by country and field:

• Length: resume 1 to 2 pages; academic CV as long as needed; UK/India style CV 1 to 2 pages.
• Photo and personal details: avoided in the US, UK and Canada; sometimes common in parts of Europe and Asia. Follow local convention.
• Focus: resume on results for the job; CV on a full record.
• Customisation: resume rewritten per role; CV updated rather than rewritten.

Frequently asked questions

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