If you’re preparing job application documents, you’ve probably encountered the terms CV and resume. Many people assume they’re the same, but in reality, they are two different documents used for different purposes depending on the country, industry, and career stage.
Whether you're applying for jobs in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Asia, or the Middle East, understanding the distinction between a CV and a resume is crucial. Employers worldwide follow different expectations, and choosing the correct document can significantly improve your chances of getting hired.
What Is a Resume? (Global + U.S. Definition)
A resume is a brief, targeted document highlighting your skills, experience, and achievements relevant to a specific job. It is designed to be short enough for recruiters to scan in seconds.
Typical Resume Features
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Length: 1–2 pages
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Focus: Skills, achievements, relevant experience
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Format: Bullet points, clean layout, ATS-friendly
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Customization: Tailored to each job posting
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Tone: Action-oriented
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Common Use: U.S., Canada, Australia, Philippines, parts of Asia and the Middle East
In countries like the U.S., resumes are the standard for almost all job applications outside academia.
Why Resumes Are Short
Recruiters often spend 6–10 seconds on their first scan of a resume. A concise document keeps the focus on your strongest, most job-relevant points.
What Is a CV? (Global Definition)
A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a detailed, comprehensive document listing your full academic and professional history. CVs are used differently around the world:
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In the U.S. and Canada, a CV is used mainly for academic, scientific, teaching, and research roles.
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In Europe, the U.K., Africa, and parts of Asia, “CV” is the standard term for what Americans call a resume.
This means the term CV can either mean a long academic record or a short job application document, depending on the country.
Typical Academic CV Features
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Length: 2 pages to 20+ pages
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Focus: Full educational background, research, teaching, publications, conferences, grants
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Customization: Minimal
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Tone: Formal, scholarly
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Common Use: Universities, research institutions, medical fields, PhD programs
Typical European CV Features
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In Europe, employers often expect:
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A 2–3 page professional CV
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A photo (in some countries)
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Personal information such as nationality and date of birth
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|
Feature |
Resume (Most of
the World) |
CV (Global
Academic) |
CV (Europe/U.K.) |
|
Length |
1–2 pages |
No limit |
1–3 pages |
|
Focus |
Skills +
achievements |
Full academic
history |
Work
experience + education |
|
Customization |
High |
Low |
Medium |
|
Common Use |
Corporate
jobs |
Academia,
research |
Most jobs |
|
Tone |
Practical |
Scholarly |
Professional |
|
Includes Photo? |
No (U.S.
norm) |
Rarely |
Often (varies
by country) |
How Different Countries Use CVs and Resumes
United States & Canada
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Resume → Standard for all jobs
-
CV → Academic, scientific, medical careers
United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe
-
CV → Standard term for resume
-
Usually 2 pages, sometimes with photo
-
Academic CVs still follow U.S.-style long format
Australia, New Zealand
-
CV and resume are used interchangeably
-
Usually 2–3 pages
Asia (Philippines, Singapore, India, Middle East)
-
Resume is common
-
Many employers expect a 2–3 page CV-like document
-
Photos may be required in some countries
When Should You Use a Resume?
Use a resume when:
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Applying for non-academic jobs worldwide
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The employer requests a brief summary
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The job posting is in the private sector
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You are in the U.S. or Canada (default is always resume)
Examples:
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Administrative roles
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Marketing, sales, HR
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STEM industry jobs
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Retail and hospitality
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Government jobs (unless they ask for a CV)
When Should You Use a CV?
Use a CV when:
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Applying to university positions
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Applying for research or scientific roles
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Submitting requirements for graduate school
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Applying for fellowships or grants
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You are applying in countries where “CV” is the standard term for a resume
Examples:
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Professorship
-
Research assistant
-
PhD applications
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Medical residency
-
Postdoctoral roles
Which One Should You Use? A Quick Decision Guide
Ask yourself:
✔ Is it for academia, research, or teaching?
→ Use a CV
✔ Is it for a corporate or private-sector job?
→ Use a resume (or a 1–3 page CV in Europe)
✔ Does the job posting specify one?
→ Always follow instructions
✔ Are you applying in Europe/UK?
→ Submit a CV (their version of a resume)
✔ Are you applying in the U.S.?
→ Submit a resume unless explicitly told otherwise
Why Choosing the Right Document Matters
Using the correct document can:
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Increase your chances of passing ATS screenings
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Help you match international hiring standards
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Show professionalism and readiness
-
Make your achievements easy for recruiters to understand
-
Prevent your application from being ignored due to format issues
Hiring teams appreciate candidates who understand local expectations—especially in global job markets.