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CV vs resume: what is the difference?

The terms "CV" and "resume" are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things depending on where you are applying and for what type of role. Using the wrong one — or not understanding what is expected — can make your application look out of step with the local convention. This guide explains the difference, when each is used, and what that means practically when you are preparing to apply.

The short answer

CV (Curriculum Vitae)

Used in the UK, Europe, Australia, and for academic or research roles globally. Can be multiple pages. Comprehensive history of your career.

Resume

Used in the US and Canada for most job applications. Usually 1–2 pages. A targeted, concise summary of relevant experience.

What is a CV?

CV stands for Curriculum Vitae, a Latin phrase meaning "course of life". In the UK, Europe, Australia, and most of the rest of the world outside North America, a CV is the standard document you send for most job applications. It is a comprehensive record of your professional and academic history.

A CV typically includes:

  • Contact details
  • Professional summary or personal statement
  • Work experience in reverse chronological order
  • Education
  • Skills
  • Optional sections such as publications, certifications, languages, or interests

For most jobs, a UK-style CV is 1–2 pages. For academic and research positions, a CV can be much longer — it may include a full list of publications, conference presentations, grants, and teaching experience, sometimes running to many pages.

What is a resume?

A resume (from the French "résumé", meaning summary) is the standard application document in the United States and Canada. It is explicitly a shortened, targeted document — typically one page, sometimes two for experienced candidates.

The key difference is intent. Where a CV is a comprehensive record, a resume is a curated selection. You choose what to include based on what is most relevant to the specific job you are applying for. Content that is not relevant to that role is left out.

A US resume typically includes the same sections as a CV — contact, summary, experience, education, skills — but at a more condensed level. Two pages is generally acceptable for candidates with 10+ years of experience. More than two pages is rarely appropriate for industry roles in North America.

Key differences at a glance

LengthCV: 1–2 pages (industry); longer for academiaResume: 1–2 pages; 1 preferred for most roles
PurposeCV: Comprehensive career recordResume: Targeted summary for a specific role
TailoringCV: Often updated but may be less role-specificResume: Customised for each application
Where usedCV: UK, Europe, Australia, Asia, academiaResume: US, Canada
PhotosCV: Common in some European countriesResume: Not included in the US

What about academic and research CVs?

In academic settings — applying for PhD programmes, postdoctoral positions, faculty roles, or research grants — a CV is used globally, including in the US where a "resume" is standard for industry roles. An academic CV is fundamentally different from an industry CV or resume.

An academic CV includes a complete list of publications, conference presentations, teaching experience, grants and funding, awards, and professional service (e.g. journal reviewing, committee membership). There is no page limit — the document grows with your career. A senior academic may have a CV of 20 or more pages.

Which one should you use?

The simple rule: follow the local convention for where the employer is based.

  • Applying to a UK, European, or Australian employer? Send a CV.
  • Applying to a US or Canadian employer? Send a resume (1–2 pages).
  • Applying for an academic or research role anywhere? Send an academic CV.
  • Not sure? Look at what the job ad asks for. If it says "resume", send a resume. If it says "CV", send a CV. If it says "application" or does not specify, use the convention for the country.

For practical purposes — if you are applying to industry roles in most countries outside the US — the CV and the resume are structurally similar enough that the same document works. The main adjustment is length: trim to one or two focused pages for US applications, and ensure you are tailoring the content to the role.

Build your CV or resume with CVEngine

Whether you are writing a UK-style CV or a US resume, CVEngine's Markdown editor outputs a clean, single-column, ATS-friendly PDF or Word file. Write your content in Markdown, preview it live, and download the format that suits your application. No account needed. Start building with CVEngine or read about how to write an ATS-friendly resume.