One of the most common questions job seekers have is, “What is a CV versus a resume?” While both documents are used to apply for jobs and contain information about your academic and professional background, there are some differences. Here we will cover the following:
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What to Include in a CV and Who Should Use One
CVs offer a lot of variety and many choices in terms of which sections the job seeker should include. Some are required and others are optional. What you include will depend on your experience level and the role you're applying to.
Here are 11 sections to consider when learning how to write a CV:
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Required CV sections:
Optional CV sections:
Who should use a CV?
In the U.S., CVs are used primarily when applying for positions in academia, sciences, medicine or law.
What to Include in a Resume and Who Should Use One
Resumes have five standard sections. However, as you learn how to write a resume, you’ll learn that, like CVs, there are other sections you can opt to use. Which sections you choose will depend largely on whether you use a chronological, combination or functional resume format.
You can learn more about which one is right for you by reading our page on resume formats. For more information about how to incorporate optional resume sections, review one of our resume examples for the job title you seek.
Who should use a resume?
In the U.S., resumes should be used by almost every job seeker, regardless of industry or experience level.
CV vs Resume: Differences in the U.S. and Europe
Now that we have gone through all of the differences in the structure and uses for CVs and resumes, we will look at the differences by geographical location for each.
In Europe, the word CV is a synonym for the document that we in the U.S. call a resume. So, as an American, if you are applying for a job anywhere in Europe and are asked to forward your CV, what the hiring manager is really asking for is your resume.
However, here in the U.S., there is a big difference between an employer asking for a CV vs a resume. Again, most job seekers will want to use a resume, but applicants in some fields, including the sciences, academia, law or medicine will want to prepare a CV.
A CV is used in academic settings because it is a longer and more comprehensive document that gives you space to outline your key achievements on top of your relevant work experience.
CV vs Resume FAQ
Last Updated: January 08, 2025
Whether you choose a resume or a CV will depend on the industry and the role you seek. The vast majority of job seekers in the U.S. will want to choose a resume. However, those job seekers who are applying for work in academia, the sciences, law or medicine should choose to write a CV.
No. In the U.S., CVs and resumes are different documents and have different uses. However, if you are an American who is applying for work in Europe and you are asked to send the hiring manager a CV, what they actually mean is to send in your resume.
In the U.S., CVs are used primarily by job seekers who are applying for positions in academia, sciences, medicine or law. All other job seekers should choose a resume.
While not required, it is highly recommended that you include a professional summary in your CV or resume. This provides a brief overview of your most important qualifications, making it easier for hiring managers to see what skills and experience you offer. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to highlight keywords from the job description to make your CV or resume better suited for applicant tracking systems (ATS). If you need help writing your summary, then check out our AI Resume Summary Generator, which will quickly put one together for you.
Yes, Resume Now offers a wide selection of both CV templates and resume templates. Our Resume Maker contains a library of designs for professionals in a range of fields.
Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.
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