“Resume” and “CV” are two terms that are often used interchangeably to refer to a document individuals submit when applying for jobs or college admission. However, there are key differences between resumes and CVs and specific circumstances that call for one type of document or the other.
This article will review the differences between CVs and resumes and the contexts in which they are used, to help individuals determine whether they need a resume, a CV, or both. We will also provide examples of resumes and CVs, to show how they are different in content and format.
What is a Resume?
A resume is a snapshot of an individual’s professional and educational background that demonstrates to potential employers the relevant qualifications and qualities they have that make them eligible for a particular job. Usually submitted with a cover letter, a resume is one of the primary tools job-seekers use to apply for employment and other opportunities, such as applying to college.
An individual’s resume may look different depending on where they are in their career and the type of opportunities they’re seeking. There are three main resume formats: chronological, functional, and combination.
Regarding content, a strong resume emphasizes key experiences, achievements, and skills relevant to the position you’re applying for. Resume writers should customize their resumes to the specific job posting or opportunity whenever possible, rather than sending a generic, one-size-fits-all resume. Be mindful of length as well — particularly for early-career individuals, resumes should be no longer than one page.
What to include on a resume
- Header/contact information: List your full name at the top of your resume, along with your location (city and state are typically sufficient), phone number, and email address. You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile if you send a digital resume.
- Summary and objective: After the header, include a brief paragraph that introduces you to the reader, highlighting your interest in the position and explaining why you’re a good fit for the role. This section should be concise (two to three sentences) but engaging, focusing on applicable strengths.
- Skills: This section can be a simple bulleted list, formatted with columns if necessary, listing your relevant hard and soft skills. Read the job posting carefully to gain insight into what types of skills the employer seeks, and prioritize the relevant skills you possess in this section. You can also include relevant certifications in this section.
- Work experience: This is where you’ll list current and past work experience, in reverse-chronological order with your current or most recent experience first. List each job you’ve held with your title, the employer’s name and location, your employment dates, and a description of the tasks related to the role and any notable or measurable achievements. Be sure to emphasize accomplishments and responsibilities that apply to the job you’re seeking.
- Education: Provide relevant details about your post-secondary education experience, including the name and location of schools you attended, the degree or credentials earned from that institution, your primary area of study, and any notable awards, honors, or distinctions. As with work experience, list educational experience in reverse-chronological order, with your current or most recent experience first.
- Optional sections: You may also include, if you like, any relevant volunteer work, awards and honors, professional organization memberships, and specialized interests relevant to the opportunity you’re seeking.
Resume examples
College applicant
David Carter
Philadelphia, PA 19128
(555) 215-2671
[email protected]Aspiring social worker passionate about working with children seeks to jump-start a career with a Bachelor of Social Work from Temple University. Demonstrated success as a leader in the school’s Allies for Racial Equity club and a scholar with a 3.8 GPA in social studies courses. Curious, motivated, and eager to work with Temple’s renowned faculty specializing in social work with children and families.
Education
Central High School
1700 W Olney Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2021-PresentExpected graduation date: June 2025
Current cumulative GPA: 3.91
SAT scores: 1400 (750 Verbal, 650 Math)Work experience
Domino’s Pizza
Host / Server
February 2024-Present
Philadelphia, PA
- Named Employee of the Month September 2024
- Took and served in-person food orders in a fast-paced environment
- Proposed several changes to the order entry process for servers and delivery drivers, improving efficiency and collaboration among the 2 groups
Volunteer experience
Pennsylvania SPCA
June 2023-August 2023
Philadelphia, PA
- Cleaned cages, crates, recreation areas and equipment
- Assisted with on-site and off-site adoption events
- Processed paperwork for adoption and foster applications
Extracurricular activities
Central High School Allies for Racial Equity
2023-Present
- President for 2024-25 academic year
- Hosted weekly meetings to discuss racial equity issues on-campus and in the community
- Organized on-campus events to promote racial equity and social justice awareness
Central High School Volleyball Team
2022-Present
- Co-captain for 2023-24 season
- Set new school record for assists 2022-23 season
Special achievements
- National Merit Semifinalist, 2024
- National Honor Society member, 2022-present
- National Spanish Honor Society member, 2023-present
- Principal’s List, 2022-present
Skills
Leadership: President of Allies for Racial Equity and co-captain of swim team
Public speaking: Hosted weekly Allies for Racial Equity meetings
Fluent in Spanish: Member of Spanish National Honor Society since 2023
Early career professional
Rebecca Reese
(555) 222-3434 | [email protected] | Seattle, WASummary
Licensed Advanced Social Worker focused on helping children and adolescents. Use active listening to fully understand each person’s needs and suggest appropriate community resources. Committed to providing support for those struggling with domestic violence and substance abuse issues.
Key Skills
- Active Listening Methods
- Case Management
- Client Needs Assessment
- Client Relations & Communications
- Crisis Intervention
- Reporting & Documentation
- Team Collaboration
Professional Experience
School Social Worker, Seattle Area School District | January 2023 to Present
- Counsel students with personal or psychological issues affecting their behavior or academic performance
- Provide treatments and resources to ensure students have every opportunity to succeed
- Communicate with parents, educators, and administrators about ways to address each student’s challenges
- Draft and maintain detailed reports on students’ progress
- Offer support and guidance to students with disabilities, past trauma, or potential behavioral issues
Social Work Intern, Teen Parent Support, Seattle, WA | August 2022-December 2022
- Assessed needs of and connected teen parents to relevant community resources
- Facilitated group therapy sessions for new teen parents
- Maintained detailed records of all client treatment
- Co-developed viable case management and treatment plans
Community Services Assistant, Washington State Department of Social and Human Services | April 2018-July 2020
- Connected families and individuals with support and resources in the local community
- Planned and hosted quarterly educational outreach events with an average attendance of 200 people
Education
Master of Social Work (Community-Centered Integrative Practice concentration) – University of Washington – Seattle, WA | 2020-2022
Bachelor of Arts in Human Services – Western Washington University – Bellingham, WA | 2013-2017
Credential
Licensed Advanced Social Worker, Washington State | 2023
What is a CV?
CV is short for “curriculum vitae,” a Latin phrase that means “course of life.” In many places around the world, including Europe, Australia and Asia, the terms CV and resume are used interchangeably, with both documents functioning similarly in form and content.
However, in the U.S., a CV is somewhat different than a resume and serves a different purpose. For Americans, a CV is a detailed document highlighting an individual’s professional and educational history, including academic achievements, awards, scholarships, grants, research, publications, and coursework. It is primarily used by individuals in fields like medicine, law, academia, and non-academic research.
Unlike a resume, which emphasizes brevity and should only be one page, a CV is meant to be as detailed as possible. Most CVs are at least two to three pages long, although individuals who are further in their careers or have a significant amount of knowledge may have a CV that’s several pages long.
What to Include on a CV
- Contact information: At the top of your CV, include your name, location (city and state are typically sufficient), email address, and phone number. This information can be included on all pages of your CV, in case the reader prints it and the pages get separated.
- Academic history: List education history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent degree first, including degree programs in which you’re currently enrolled. Include the full degree name, the school from which you received the degree, attendance dates, and minors or certificates earned as part of the degree.
- Teaching/work/research experience: Depending on your specific background and the position you’re applying for, this can include a combination of post-secondary teaching experience, professional work experience, and research. List relevant full- or part-time jobs; tenured, adjunct, or guest faculty positions; internships; research projects; lab work; volunteer work, and other field experiences.
- Publications: Publications are a key way for CV writers to demonstrate their experience and research integrity. Include any publications you’ve authored or co-authored, including books, book chapters, scientific studies, journal articles, and more. As with other information on your CV, list publications in reverse chronological order. If you’ve been an exceptionally prolific publisher, you can pare back your list to the most relevant publications.
- Conference presentations: Similarly to publications, including recent and relevant presentations on your CV demonstrates that you are actively conducting and presenting research in your field. To format presentations on your CV, include the title, date, and location of the presentation. You can include presentations you delivered on your own or with other presenters.
- Conference attendance: If you don’t have an extensive presentation record, including conferences you’ve attended can also be helpful. It shows potential employers or funders that you are staying current in your industry and using conferences as a way to increase your knowledge base.
- Honors and awards: List awards by including the award or honor title, the year you received it, the awarding organization, and any pertinent or significant details about the award, such as how frequently it’s given, how many people receive it, or what you were being acknowledged for.
- Grants and funding: Because CVs are commonly used to help researchers secure grants, fellowships, and other types of funding, you’ll want to include any funding you’ve already received. It demonstrates to potential future funders that you’re a worthwhile investment, especially if previously received funding led to publications and presentations.
- Professional organization memberships: If you belong to any industry-relevant professional organizations, either as a regular member or board member, include this information as well. You can list the name of the organization, your membership dates, and any specific roles you’ve performed within the organization, if applicable.
- Optional sections: If desired, you can also include additional information about relevant skills, foreign language abilities, and references.
CV examples
Academic CV
Nathan Bonner
Minneapolis, MN | (555) 678-9099 | [email protected] | LinkedInEducation
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) – Communication Studies | 2022
Dissertation: “Title of Dissertation”Northwestern University – Evanston, IL
Master of Science (MS) – Communication | 2012
Thesis: “Title of Thesis”
Select Coursework: Course Name | Course Name | Course NameUniversity of Illinois – Normal, IL
Bachelor of Science (BS) – Mass Media (Media Arts concentration) | 2008
Select Coursework: Course Name | Course Name | Course Name
Graduated Magna Cum LaudeResearch Interests
- Relevant area of research
- Relevant area of research
- Relevant area of research
Research Experience
Position Title, Organization Name, Location | year to present
- Work duty or highlight
- Work duty or highlight
Position Title, Organization Name, Location | year to year
- Work duty or highlight
- Work duty or highlight
- Work duty or highlight
Position Title, Organization Name, Location | year to year
- Work duty or highlight
- Work duty or highlight
Publications
Author:
“Article Title,” Publication Name, date | hyperlink
“Article Title,” Publication Name, date | hyperlink
“Book Chapter Title,” Publication Name, date | hyperlinkCo-Author:
“Article Title,” Publication Name, date
“Article Title,” Publication Name, datePresentations
“Presentation Title,” Event Name, date
“Presentation Title,” Event Name, date“Seminar Title,” Event Name, date
“Seminar Title,” Event Name, dateAward and Honors
“Award Name,” Granting Organization, Date
Grants
“Title,” Funding Organization | $ amount, time span
“Title,” Funding Organization | $ amount, time span
“Title,” Funding Organization | $ amount, time spanBoard Memberships
Organization Name
Organization Name
Medical CV
Cynthia Cho
Los Angeles, CA| (212) 999-8787 | [email protected] | LinkedInEducation
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California – Los Angeles
Doctor of Medicine | June 2024
Graduated Cum Laude
University of California – Irvine
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biological Sciences | 2010-2014
Graduated Summa Cum LaudeResearch Interests
- Relevant area of research
- Relevant area of research
- Relevant area of research
Research Experience
Position Title, Organization Name, Location | year to present
- Work duty or highlight
- Work duty or highlight
Position Title, Organization Name, Location | year to year
- Work duty or highlight
- Work duty or highlight
- Work duty or highlight
Professional Experience
Position Title, Organization Name, Location | year to present
- Work duty or highlight
- Work duty or highlight
Presentations
“Presentation Title,” Event Name, date
“Presentation Title,” Event Name, dateAward and Honors
“Award Name,” Granting Organization, Date
Professional Memberships
Organization Name
Organization Name
Key Differences Between a Resume and a CV
| CV | Resume | |
| Emphasis | Academic credentials and background | Professional experience and skills |
| Uses |
|
|
| Standard Length | 2-3 pages | 1 page |
| Format | Starts with the education section, while the remaining structure is flexible. | Starts with the objective/summary and work experience sections, while the remaining structure is flexible.
Common formats are reverse chronological, functional, or combined. |
| Customization | Customization for each submission is optional | Tailor key sections for each submission, including summary and objective, key skills, and work experience |
Tips for Writing Strong CVs and Resumes
- Ensure accurate contact information: Whether you’re writing a resume or a CV, you want to ensure that the document contains the essential information potential employers need to contact you. Double-check to make sure all pages of your resume or CV list a current phone number and professional email address.
- Clear, consistent formatting and fonts: Most individuals reading resumes or CVs are skimming your document, at least initially, making formatting important. Use an easy-to-read 10- or 12-point font like Calibri or Helvetica and define each section with bold or underlined headings. Be consistent with how you format sections as well. For example, if you use a bulleted list to detail experiences for one job, use a bulleted list for all jobs.
- Proofread: A resume or CV that includes typos, spelling errors, and grammar mistakes does not reflect well on the writer. Once you’ve finished writing your resume, set it aside and come back to read it with fresh eyes to help you catch any errors. If you have time, have another person read your document or use a program like Grammarly to catch any mistakes you may have missed.
- Don’t include irrelevant information: Crafting an ideal resume or CV is a delicate balance of including enough specific details about your experience to show the reader that you’re a good fit for the job or opportunity without overwhelming them with information. When in doubt, return to the job posting and remove educational or work experience unrelated to the position you’re seeking.
Resume and CV FAQs
Is a CV the same as a resume?
In many parts of the world, such as Asia, Australia, and Europe, yes, a resume and a CV are considered the same thing, and the terms are often used interchangeably. In the U.S., however, they are considered different types of documents. A resume is a snapshot of an individual’s professional and educational background that they use to apply for jobs in most fields. Meanwhile, individuals in academia, law, medicine, and research use CVs to highlight their professional and educational history, including academic achievements, awards, scholarships, grants, research, publications, and coursework when applying for jobs, teaching positions, grants, and research funding.
Do I need both a CV and a resume?
This depends on your industry and the opportunities for which you are applying.
For most individuals outside of academia, law, research, or medicine, a resume is sufficient for applying to jobs, college, or other opportunities. In some cases, if you’re applying for a high-level position, you may be asked to provide a CV, but this is rare.
Meanwhile, individuals applying for medical, law, academia, or research jobs will likely need a CV. This is also the type of document most often needed when applying for grants or fellowships to fund research.
If your professional endeavors straddle both realms, you might need both a resume and a CV, but otherwise, one or the other should be sufficient for your needs.
How can I tell if I need a CV versus a resume?
As noted above, your specific industry or the opportunities you’re pursuing will guide what type of document you need. If you aren’t sure, your best bet is to review the job posting, as it usually specifies what type of application documents to submit. You can also contact the organization you are applying to to clarify if you’re unsure and can’t find the information anywhere else.
Do I need a cover letter for a CV and a resume?
Unless otherwise noted, you will want to include a cover letter with your CV or resume when applying for jobs or other opportunities. A cover letter serves as an introduction for your other application materials and is an opportunity to provide more context about your experiences, abilities, and interest in a particular job or opportunity.
How do I write a resume or CV if I don't have much professional experience?
If you are building a resume with little or no prior work experience, it’s best to focus on the relevant skills you have, your educational background (including high school, if that’s your highest level of education), and any additional experiences, such as internships, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities, that can help contextualize your experience and abilities.
Even if your experience is not directly related to the job you’re applying for, highlight transferable skills, such as communication, leadership, organization, and problem-solving, that you may have gained through educational or life experience.
Writing a CV with little or no experience may be more challenging, as these documents focus on more tangible achievements, like publications, presentations, and research. Including experience you gained in your post-secondary education is acceptable, as is including attending conferences, even if you have yet to present your work at these events.