RESUME AND C.V.

            Resume



DEFINITION OF 'RESUME'


A one to two page formal document that lists a job applicant's work experience, education and skills. A resume is designed to provide a detailed summary of an applicant's qualifications for a particular job - it is not usually meant to provide a complete picture. A good resume gives the potential employer enough information to believe the applicant is worth interviewing. A one-page cover letter, submitted along with the resume, can provide additional information about the applicant's qualifications.


INVESTOPEDIA EXPLAINS 'RESUME'


A resume is typically a requirement when applying for most white collar jobs. Individuals should use their resumes to highlight specific achievements and emphasize their accomplishments. For example, when describing past work experience, a good resume will not just run through the applicant's day-to-day job responsibilities, but will also list specific accomplishments at the job, such as cutting costs or beating sales goals.

Ever wondered why a Brit applies with a CV and an American with a resume? And why does an Aussie apply with both? There are a few differences between the two types of application documents and this article will straighten out your queries as well as tell you where in the world you are likely to use which document. Let me kick off the bonanza by introducing the contender in the blue corner…

CV:

A CV (Curriculum Vitæ, which means course of life in Latin) is an in-depth document that can be laid out over two or more pages and it contains a high level of detail about your achievements, a great deal more than just a career biography. The CV covers your education as well as any other accomplishments like publications, awards, honours etc.



The document tends to be organised chronologically and should make it easy to get an overview of an individual’s full working career. A CV is static and doesn’t change for different positions, the difference would be in the cover letter.



Resume:

A resume, or résumé, is a concise document typically not longer than one page as the intended the reader will not dwell on your document for very long. The goal of a resume is to make an individual stand out from the competition.

The job seeker should adapt the resume to every position they apply for. It is in the applicant’s interest to change the resume from one job application to another and to tailor it to the needs of the specific post. A resume doesn’t have to be ordered chronologically, doesn’t have to cover your whole career like and is a highly customisable document.

RELATED: 7 Resume Mistakes You Probably Didn’t Realize

Differences:

As stated, three major differences between CVs and resumes are the length, the purpose and the layout. A resume is a brief summary of your skills and experience over one or two pages, a CV is more detailed and can stretch well beyond two pages. The resume will be tailored to each position whereas the CV will stay put and any changes will be in the cover letter.

A CV has a clear chronological order listing the whole career of the individual whereas a resume’s information can be shuffled around to best suit the applicant. I would say the main difference between a resume and a CV is that a CV is intended to be a full record of your career history and a resume is a brief, targeted list of skills and achievements.

Let’s revise:

CV – long, covers your entire career, static
Resume – short, no particular format rule, highly customisable

Usage around the world:

A resume is the preferred application document in the US and Canada. Americans and Canadians would only use a CV when applying for a job abroad or if searching for an academic or research oriented position.

In the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, a CV is used in all contexts and resumes aren’t used at all. The CV prevails in mainland Europe and there is even a European Union CV format available for download.

In Germany, the CV is more commonly known as a Lebenslauf (true to the latin origins) and is only one of many application document the poor German job seekers must produce to get an interview.

In Australia, India and South Africa, the terms resume and CV are used interchangeably. The term resume is used more for jobs in the private sector and CV is more commonplace when applying for public service positions.


Question: Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume? What is the difference between a curriculum vitae (CV) and a resume?

Answer: The primary differences between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) are the length, what is included, and what each is used for. While both are used in job applications, a resume and a CV are not always interchangeable.

The Difference Between a Curriculum Vitae and a Resume

A resume is a one or two page summary of your skills, experience, and education.


Writing a Resume
While a resume is brief and concise -- no more than a page or two -- a curriculum vitae is longer (at least two pages) and provides a more detailed synopsis.

A curriculum vitae includes a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliations, and other details. In Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Asia, employers may expect to receive a curriculum vitae.

In the United States, a curriculum vitae is used primarily when applying for academic, education, scientific, or research positions. It is also applicable when applying for fellowships or grants.

How to Write a Successful CV


Curriculum Vitae Examples
These sample CVs form a helpful guide of what to include in your CV and how to format it.

Curriculum Vitae Writing Guide
The why, when, and how of using a curriculum vitae, as well as samples


When to Use a CV
Confused about when to use a CV, and when to submit a resume? Get details on the types of positions and fields that generally require a CV rather than a resume.

How to Write a Strong Resume


The Different Types of Resumes
You can structure your resume to be chronological, a functional, combination, or targeted. Find out more information on each option and when it's typically used.


Choose a Basic Font
When writing a resume it's important to use a basic font that is easy to read, both for hiring managers and for applicant management systems.


There are several basic types of resumes used to apply for job openings. Depending on your personal circumstances, choose a chronological, a functional, combination, or a targeted resume. Here are the different types of resumes to use to apply for jobs with examples.

Chronological Resume:

A chronological resume starts by listing your work history, with the most recent position listed first. Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order with your current, or most recent job, first.



Functional Resume:

A functional resume focuses on your skills and experience, rather than on your chronological work history. It is used most often by people who are changing careers or who have gaps in their employment history.
Sample Functional Resume

Combination Resume:

A combination resume lists your skills and experience first. Your employment history is listed next. With this type of resume you can highlight the skills you have that are relevant to the job you are applying for, and also provide the chronological work history that employers prefer.
Sample Combination Resume

Resume With Profile:

A resume with a profile section includes a summary of an applicant’s skills, experiences and goals as they relate to a specific job.
Resume With Profile



Mini Resume:

A mini resume contains a brief summary of your career highlights qualifications. It can be used for networking purposes or shared upon request from a prospective employer or reference writer who may want an overview of your accomplishments, rather than a full length resume.
Mini Resume

Nontraditional Resume:

A nontraditional resume is a web-based version of your resume that may include photos, graphics, images, graphs and other visuals.