Difference between a CV and a Resume ?

A “CV” or Curriculum Vitae is essentially the same as a Resume with a few

basic differences.

Simply explained; a CV is used in the United States for employment purposes, whereas a Resume is what you would use in the United Kingdom.

Additionally, a CV is the preferred format for most international job applications; so it is natural that the majority of job seekers opt to prepare a CV and Resume both. In some circumstances, employers in the US would specifically ask for a CV; hence, it is imperative that you check out the requirements of your potential employers while submitting your application. This is especially true in case of applying for academic positions where research experience and academic achievements are the criteria of the selection process.

One of the most noteworthy differences between a CV and a resume is the length of the two documents. A CV is longer than a resume and more comprehensive. Naturally experts also clearly state that a CV should be no longer than two pages in length, but it is not surprising when people with highly extensive career backgrounds have one that runs longer than ten pages. Many are also known to include a list of their publications in their CV, in which case it naturally tends to run longer than two pages. A resume, on the other hand, is rather more concise and is typically one page long.

As the CV is longer and more detailed; the experiences and information mentioned in it should be presented in reverse chronological order.Thus, more recent employment history and most relevant information must be presented at the beginning. Additionally, a CV should begin with a professional profile of the candidate followed by his/her personal traits. If space permits, you must also enlist your career objectives, which should ideally complement the job title that you are applying for.