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

If you have ever been confused about whether to submit a "resume" or a "CV," you are not alone. The two terms are often used interchangeably, especially in India and other parts of Asia, but they actually refer to different documents with different purposes.

Understanding the distinction matters because submitting the wrong document can make you look unfamiliar with professional norms — and in some cases, can cost you the opportunity entirely.

What Is a Resume?

A resume is a concise document (typically 1 to 2 pages) that summarizes your work experience, skills, education, and achievements relevant to a specific job. The word "resume" comes from the French word meaning "summary."

Key characteristics of a resume:

• Length: 1 page for early career, 2 pages maximum for experienced professionals
• Content: Tailored to each job application, highlighting relevant experience
• Focus: Skills, achievements, and professional accomplishments
• Used in: Most private sector jobs globally, especially in the US, Canada, and India

What Is a CV (Curriculum Vitae)?

A CV is a comprehensive document that covers your entire academic and professional history. "Curriculum Vitae" is Latin for "course of life." Unlike a resume, a CV is not tailored to a specific job — it is a complete record.

Key characteristics of a CV:

• Length: 2 to 10+ pages depending on career length
• Content: Complete academic history, research, publications, presentations, grants, teaching experience
• Focus: Academic accomplishments, research contributions, scholarly work
• Used in: Academic positions, research roles, medical professions, some European job markets

Resume vs CV: Key Differences

Length: Resumes are brief (1-2 pages). CVs can be many pages and grow throughout your career.

Customization: Resumes should be tailored to each job application. CVs are generally the same document submitted to different opportunities, though you may reorder sections based on relevance.

Content scope: Resumes include only relevant experience. CVs include everything: publications, conferences, grants, coursework, research assistantships, and teaching experience.

Geographic conventions: In the US and Canada, "resume" is standard for most jobs. In the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, "CV" is commonly used for what Americans would call a resume. In India, the terms are used interchangeably, though most private sector jobs expect a resume-style document.

When to Use a Resume

• Applying to private sector jobs in India, US, or Canada
• Job postings that ask for a "resume"
• Most corporate, startup, and technology positions
• Any position where the posting does not specify "CV"
• When applying through job portals like Naukri, LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor

When to Use a CV

• Academic positions (professor, researcher, lecturer)
• Research grants and fellowship applications
• Medical or scientific positions
• Positions in Europe, UK, or Australasia where "CV" is standard
• When a job posting specifically asks for a "curriculum vitae"
• PhD program applications

The Indian Context

In India, "resume" and "CV" are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. When an Indian employer asks for your "CV," they usually mean a resume — a concise, 1-2 page document focused on your relevant skills and experience.

For Indian job seekers applying to companies through Naukri, LinkedIn, or campus placements, a well-structured resume is almost always what you need. The only exception is if you are applying for academic or research positions at universities or research institutions like IITs, IISc, or CSIR labs, where a traditional CV with publications and research history is expected.

How to Format Each Document

Resume format

1. Contact information
2. Professional summary (3-4 lines)
3. Work experience (reverse chronological)
4. Education
5. Skills
6. Certifications (optional)

For detailed resume formatting advice, see our 10 resume tips to land your dream job.

CV format

1. Contact information
2. Research interests or academic profile
3. Education (detailed, including thesis titles)
4. Research experience
5. Publications
6. Conference presentations
7. Teaching experience
8. Grants and fellowships
9. Professional memberships
10. References

Build Your Resume Today

For the vast majority of job applications — in India and globally — you need a resume, not a CV. A clean, well-structured, ATS-friendly resume gives you the best chance of landing interviews.

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