Do You Know The Difference Between CV And Resume? Find Out Now

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We all know how important a resume or a CV is for your career/ job prospects. It is a document that becomes the first point of contact between you and the recruiter/ HR manager. We often hear the terms resume and CV used in the context of this document. But have you ever wondered if there is a difference between CV and resume? Or did you think that they mean the same thing, and have been using them interchangeably? 

A well-drafted resume or a CV can be a game-changer and propel your career in the right direction. But what exactly is the difference between these two? And how to curate the perfect document for yourself? In this article, we will sort all such cv vs resume queries and more, check it out.

What is a Resume?

A Resume (or résumé, from French “to sum up”) is a mandatory requirement for a job application. It provides a quick review of the person’s expertise and qualification, which helps the employer decide whether to hire the person or not. The more appealing the resume, the higher the chances of your securing the job. But to build a good resume you must pay attention to what it entails. 

A Resume is a single-page document that summarizes all the important information about your academic background and employment history. The resume must provide optimum insight into the job-relevant capabilities and knowledge pool of the individual, in a concise way.  

In other words, a Resume is a document that itemizes your employment history. It summarizes the jobs you have held, the education you have attained, certifications, skills, and other quantifiable information about your background and your work experience. The most common format is a list with your contact information and experience section that includes job titles, position descriptions, dates of employment, an education section, and other relevant information. 

Typically, a resume is written in the third person and uses as few words as possible to summarize the experience. They often provide information in bulleted lists, graphs, and tables; this helps in making the document concise, and readable and allows recruiters to scan through it quickly and get the gist of it, even if it is a cursory glance.

What does a resume include?

1. Contact Information including present job title (if any)
2. Resume summary or objective
3. Work experience
4. Education
5. Skills
6. Additional sections (Awards, Courses, Resume Publications, Licenses and Certifications, Interests, etc.)

Check this out- Resume Prep with top Recruiters & Industry Experts

Significance of Resume

When it comes to jobs, numerous applicants apply, and it is impossible to read the CV all the time. Thus a resume helps in this regard. The resume is a glimpse of experiences and qualifications, making it much quicker and easier for the HR department to screen and invite suitable candidates for the job position. 

A splendid and professional resume is the source of impressing the interviewer instantly. Recruiters do not have much time to go through CVs, and hence they like to ensure the best hiring in the least possible time.

Also Read: 6 Secrets to Writing a Good Resume

What is a CV?

A CV (full form Curriculum Vitae which is Latin for “course of life”) is an in-depth document that describes the whole course of your career in full detail. It’s usually two or three pages long but can just as well be laid out in over 10+ pages, if necessary. A Curriculum Vitae contains details about your education, professional career, publications, awards, honors, and other achievements.

It can be considered as a long academic diary, which explains and includes diverse educational background elements. These multiple pages provide in-depth knowledge about the candidate’s experiences and background.

What does a CV include?

1. Contact information
2. Research objective, personal profile, or personal statement
3. Education
4. Professional academic appointments
5. Books
6. Book chapters
7. Peer-reviewed publications
8. Other publications
9. Awards and honors
10. Grants and fellowships
11. Conferences
12. Teaching experience
13. Research experience / lab experience / graduate fieldwork
14. Non-academic activities
15. Languages and skills
16. Memberships
17. References

Check this out- Placement Prep for Engineering Grads

Difference Between CV and Resume

Many people use the terms CV and resume interchangeably. But now know that they are not the same and that there are considerable differences between cv and resume. Let’s take a quick glance at the cv vs resume differences mentioned in the tabular form below:

In a Nutshell

It is necessary to showcase the qualification, experience, and skills to the interviewer. Every job requires some specific qualifications and professional experience. A resume and CV both reflect the academic and professional achievements and experiences of the person, but in different formats and for different purposes. Naturally, it is extremely important to present the information in the best way possible. Remember, irrespective of how qualified, experienced and skilled you are, you won’t get the job if you fail to impress the recruiter through your resume/ CV and also during the subsequent placement process.

Points to remember about the difference between CV and resume are primarily the length, layout, and purpose of these documents. Keeping these pointers in mind will surely help you frame amazing documents with ample color/ personality to persuade employers that you are a good fit for the position at hand!

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