Difference Between a CV and a Resume

However, a resume is more prevalent in the American culture. It is important that you know the difference between these two documents as the job market is no longer restrained within the national boundary. International job market has flourished over the years and people are taking good care while applying for the international job openings.

If you look at both the formats you will not find much difference, but a more detailed review will bring across the differentiation. Though they serve the same purpose yet they vary in length and style. A CV is a complete info of your professional career, while a resume is briefer and to the point. A resume targets the company with the main highlighting points of your career and give a more simplistic view of the applicant. A CV is more detailed and flamboyant. It will not only refer to your accomplishments, but will give detailed analysis of your experience, qualification and achievements. Such a format is quite apt for a technical or finance job or for a medical job.

A CV, as mentioned before is more prevalent in Europe and rest of the world apart from the US. You will find a CV or Curriculum Vitae for an academic position or for seeking a grant or scholarship. Hence, most applicants in the international job market have both kinds of documents and use them as per their requirement. As said before a CV is more detailed and its relevance is felt when you have to provide more detailed information on your career or rather the 'course of life'. In practice a CV can be as long eight to ten pages. The information is provided under subheadings and has different sections for each such subheading. Details like the personal profile, objectives, education, skills and competencies all are segregated separately. The career history is also included. A resume is short and brief and maintains a length of about one to two pages only. Only the information relevant for the job opening is incorporated in a resume. A resume will have much information on the personal details and can even skip the qualification portion, if the same is not applicable.

Considering the difference between a CV and a resume it can be said that you may use the best format which you think is more relevant for your job application. The discretion is entirely unto you. One can be a bit informal while writing a resume, but for a CV you need to be absolutely formal and follow the etiquettes of writing. You can use a CV or a resume based upon the region you reside, but if you have different requirement then utilize the same based on your discretion and consideration.