Discussing the Difference between a CV and a Resume
There are actually a lot of people out there who do not understand the difference between a CV and a resume. If you do not either, don’t feel bad. It’s a problem a lot of us have. However, understanding the difference between them can also mean the difference between getting the job of your dreams and getting turned down for an interview. Given the current state of the economy and the fact that the unemployment rate is creeping up on us rather quickly, none of us can really afford to make a slip up like that.
At very first glance, there really is no difference between a CV and a resume. A CV, as must of us know, is an abbreviation for the full term, which is curriculum vitae. At their base points, both documents contain a structured, organized list of work history, educational background, skills, achievements, awards, et cetera. In truth, the resume is something of a United States phenomena these days, and even here it is being phased out bit by bit. Most people choose to submit a CV when applying for a position, because it gives you much more room to write down all those details that are most likely to get you the job. The idea of both is to get all of that information to your potential employer as quickly and concisely as you possibly can.
Still, it is only on the surface of things that a resume and a CV are similar. You see, your curriculum vitae actually acts as the complete record of your educational and/or professional history. A resume, on the other hand, is a short and targeted document; it is designed to contained a transferable list of your skills and accomplishments, to better show a prospective employer how, specifically, you will be able to fill the position for which you are applying.
As such, in the United States, the main difference between a CV and a resume is that the former is primarily used when you are applying for grants, or when you are applying for an academia related position. This can actually also include applying for a school. However, as education becomes more and more important in a lot of industries, more and more people are choosing to turn in a CV rather than a resume. In truth, the choice you make depends on the position, company, and/or institution to which you are applying. Sometimes people choose to submit both a CV and a resume.
Quite simply, the primary difference between a CV and a resume is the amount of detail you can include. When submitting a resume, you need to keep the document short – less than two pages, on average, and it really should not be much longer than a single page. On the other hand, when you write a CV, two pages can actually be the minimum length. You are allowed to include anything that may help you get chosen for that particular position.
