Resume vs CV: What's the Difference and When to Use Each

If you have ever applied for a job abroad or browsed career advice online, you have probably encountered the terms "resume" and "CV" used in ways that seem contradictory. In some countries they mean entirely different things; in others, they are used interchangeably. Understanding the resume vs CV difference is essential if you want to present yourself correctly to employers, no matter where in the world you are applying.

This guide breaks down exactly what a CV is, what a resume is, how they differ, and when you should use each one.

What Is a CV?

CV stands for curriculum vitae, a Latin phrase meaning "course of life." In its traditional academic sense, a CV is a comprehensive document that details your entire professional and academic history. It includes your education, research experience, publications, presentations, awards, affiliations, and other scholarly activities.

A traditional academic CV has no page limit. It grows over the course of your career and can run to ten pages or more for a seasoned academic.

However, the term "CV" also has a second, broader meaning. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Europe, "CV" is simply the standard word for the document you send when applying for any job, including non-academic roles. In these regions, a CV is typically a concise, two-page document that is functionally identical to what Americans call a resume.

What Is a Resume?

A resume (from the French resume, meaning "summary") is a brief, targeted document, usually one to two pages, that summarises your relevant skills, work experience, and education for a specific role. Resumes are the standard application document in the United States and Canada for non-academic positions.

The defining characteristic of a resume is selectivity. Rather than listing everything you have ever done, you tailor it to the job at hand, highlighting only the experience and skills that are most relevant.

Key Differences Between a Resume and a CV

The distinctions between a resume and a CV depend heavily on context, but the core differences in the traditional (academic) sense are set out below.

| Feature | Resume | CV (Academic) | CV (UK/European) | |---|---|---|---| | Length | 1-2 pages | No limit (often 3-10+ pages) | 1-2 pages | | Content scope | Tailored to a specific role | Comprehensive career history | Tailored to a specific role | | Purpose | Job applications (non-academic) | Academic, research, and medical roles | Job applications (all types) | | Typical region | US, Canada | International (academia) | UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia, NZ | | Includes publications | Rarely | Yes | Only if relevant | | Includes photo | No (US/Canada) | Sometimes (varies) | Sometimes (mainland Europe) | | Personal statement | Optional summary section | Often includes research interests | Common |

Length

A resume is almost always limited to one or two pages. An academic CV, by contrast, is expected to be as long as it needs to be to capture your full body of work. A British-style CV sits somewhere in between conceptually, but in practice it is kept to two pages, much like an American resume.

Content

Resumes are curated. You choose what to include based on the job description. Academic CVs are exhaustive: every publication, conference paper, grant, and teaching appointment is listed. The British CV is curated in the same way a resume is, though the layout conventions differ slightly (for instance, personal statements are more common on British CVs).

Purpose

In the US, a resume is for industry jobs and a CV is for academic, scientific, or medical positions. In the UK and most of Europe, the word "CV" covers all of these situations. If a British employer asks for your CV, they are asking for a concise, targeted document, not a multi-page academic record.

Why Do the British Say "CV" Instead of "Resume"?

The terminology split is largely historical. In the UK, the Latin term curriculum vitae became the standard label for any job application document, regardless of length or purpose. In the US, the French-derived word "resume" took hold for general job applications, while "CV" was reserved for academia. Neither usage is wrong; they simply reflect different naming conventions that evolved in parallel.

This can cause real confusion. A British professional moving to the US might describe their two-page application document as a CV, while an American recruiter expects the word to mean a lengthy academic document. If you are applying internationally, always check what the employer or institution means by the term they use.

Regional Expectations at a Glance

United States and Canada

• Use a resume for most jobs (1-2 pages, no photo, tailored content).
• Use a CV only for academic, research, scientific, or medical positions.
• Never include a photo, date of birth, or marital status.

United Kingdom and Ireland

• Use a CV for all job applications (typically 2 pages).
• A personal statement or profile at the top is standard.
• Do not include a photo, age, or marital status.
• The word "resume" is rarely used.

Mainland Europe (Germany, France, Scandinavia, etc.)

• The term CV is standard.
• Many countries expect a professional photo on the document.
• In Germany, a CV (Lebenslauf) may include date of birth and nationality.
• The Europass CV format is widely recognised across the EU.

Australia and New Zealand

• The term CV is used, though "resume" is also understood.
• Length is typically 2-3 pages.
• No photo required.
• Referees (references) are often listed directly on the document.

Academic CV vs Professional CV

Even within a single country, the type of CV you need depends on the role.

Academic CV

An academic CV is a complete record of your scholarly career. It typically includes:

• Full education history with thesis titles
• Research experience and interests
• Publications (journal articles, book chapters, conference proceedings)
• Teaching experience
• Grants and funding received
• Conference presentations
• Professional memberships and editorial roles
• Awards and honours

There is no page limit. Early-career researchers may have a two-page academic CV, while senior professors may have one that spans twenty pages.

Professional CV (or Resume)

A professional CV or resume focuses on practical impact. It typically includes:

• Contact information
• A brief personal statement or professional summary
• Key skills
• Work experience (most recent first, with achievements and measurable results)
• Education (briefly)
• Relevant certifications or training

This document should rarely exceed two pages. Every line should earn its place by demonstrating relevance to the target role. For a detailed walkthrough of how to build one from scratch, see our guide on how to write a professional resume.

Tips for Tailoring Your CV or Resume

1. Research the local convention

Before you apply, find out what terminology and format the employer expects. A quick search for "[country] CV format" or checking the job listing itself will usually clarify this.

2. Match the job description

Whether you call it a CV or a resume, the most effective documents are tailored to the specific role. Mirror the language used in the job advert. If they ask for "project management experience," use that exact phrase rather than a synonym.

3. Keep formatting clean and professional

Avoid overly decorative templates. Use clear headings, consistent fonts, and enough white space for comfortable reading. Recruiters often spend under thirty seconds on an initial scan, so legibility matters more than visual flair.

4. Quantify your achievements

Instead of "managed a team," write "managed a team of 12, delivering a project 15% under budget." Numbers provide concrete evidence and stand out on the page.

5. Adjust length to context

A one-page resume is ideal for early-career professionals in the US. A two-page CV is standard in the UK. An academic CV should be as long as your record demands. Do not pad a short document or cram a long career onto a single page.

6. Use a purpose-built tool

Building a well-structured CV or resume from scratch is time-consuming. Tools like CV Artisan let you create professionally formatted documents that follow regional best practices, so you can focus on content rather than layout.

Which Should You Use?

The answer depends on two things: where you are applying and what type of role it is.

• Applying for a non-academic job in the US or Canada? Use a resume.
• Applying for any job in the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia, or New Zealand? Use a CV (concise, 1-2 pages).
• Applying for an academic, research, or medical position anywhere? Use a full academic CV.

If in doubt, read the job listing carefully. Most employers specify what they want. When they say "CV" in the UK, they mean a short, tailored document. When they say "CV" in the US, they usually mean a detailed academic record.

Final Thoughts

The resume vs CV distinction is simpler than it first appears. In most cases, the document itself is very similar: a focused, well-written summary of your professional strengths. The label changes depending on where you are in the world and whether the role is academic.

What matters far more than terminology is quality. A clearly structured, error-free, and well-targeted document will serve you well regardless of whether you call it a CV or a resume. And once your CV or resume is ready, a strong cover letter can make your application even more compelling. If you want a head start, CV Artisan offers templates designed for different regions and industries, helping you get the format right from the outset.

Whichever term you use, make sure the document tells a compelling story about what you bring to the role. That is what gets you the interview.