A resume and a curriculum vitae (CV) are two documents that job applicants use to secure a job or position. A resume summarizes a job applicant’s data, educational background and training, skills, and professional achievements. The best resumes are customized for a specific position. Resumes also allow job seekers to communicate who they are and why they are uniquely qualified for a particular position. CVs also showcase accomplishments and experience. However, resumes and CVs are distinct. CVs require more information than your typical resume. They focus primarily on academic achievements since they are commonly needed for education, academia, science, and research positions and for applying to grants and fellowships. Because CVs are used for these types of positions, they tend to include more detailed descriptions of publications, presentations, research, and the like.

One may confuse a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV), but they are two distinct writing pieces that help applicants apply to and obtain a job or an academic role. Resumes tend to be short (preferably one or two pages long) and include skills and descriptions specific to one job. However, a CV is longer than your typical resume since it has more detailed descriptions of publications, presentations, research, and the like. CVs tend to emphasize academic accomplishments, while resumes focus on skills. CVs are mostly used for academic roles, teaching positions, grants, fellowships, and research opportunities. However, in other parts of the world outside of the U.S., the word “resume” isn’t used at all, and “CV” is used to describe both resume and CV documents.

A resume and curriculum vitae (CV) help job applicants secure a job or academic position by highlighting their work experience, education, and accomplishments. It is vital to have an up-to-date resume or CV because it showcases their ability to perform the duties and requirements of open positions. Also, resumes and CVs are generally required documents for applicants to submit when applying for any job opening. Therefore, hiring managers and recruiters will likely disregard applications without a resume or CV included. Providing a current resume makes it possible for the hiring manager or recruiter to know the job applicant's background and whether they would be a good fit for the opening for which they are hiring.