One of the most common questions job seekers have is, “What is a CV vs. a resume?” While both documents are used to apply for jobs and contain information about your academic and professional background, there are some differences.
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 to which you are applying.
Here are 12 sections to consider when learning how to write a CV:
Curriculum vitae sample
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 youll learn that, like CVs, there are other sections you can opt to use. Which you choose will depend largely on whether you choose a chronological, combination or functional resume format. You can learn more about which 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 CV vs. resume differences by geographical location.
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.
FAQ
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.