CV Versus a Resume Definition
A CV is the abbreviation for curriculum vitae, or Latin for “course of life.” A CV is a formal written overview of a person’s entire life’s achievements. A resume, usually written “résumé,” is French for “summary” as in brief account of a person’s education, qualifications, and previous experience. Both are typically submitted with job applications.
A resume is commonly used in the U.S.A. and only includes college education, and employment from the last 10-12 years ideally, but can go back 15 years if the older positions are relevant to the new position being pursued. A CV is usually used outside the U.S. and includes all education and all employment, thus encompassing “entire” life achievements. One exception is the American CV which is used in the academic, art and science fields, and includes listings of exhibitions, presentations, publications, and research.
An American CV is also the form adapted to a Federal resume which, unlike a standard resume, includes full addresses of employers, names of supervisors, their contact information, number of hours worked and salary span.
Both CVs and resumes are used as a complement to career information submitted on a job application. It is used as one of several considerations by an employer in making a final decision about a prospective employee. Depending on the country of origin, CVs can vary in the amount of information they contain. In some countries it is permissible to ask questions about your family history, place of birth, date of birth, gender, nationality, religion, marital status, whether you have children, and many questions that are against the law to be asked in the U.S.
CVs because of their reliance on showcasing your “entire” life, also allow you to attach documents, such as letters of recommendation, certificates, licenses, transcripts, etc. Resumes, on the other hand, only require you to mention possessing those items with the understanding that in an interview, if asked, you can produce proof.
To help you create a proper CV or resume, there are several websites that offer templates for you to follow with an array of layouts, styles, margins, and fonts. CVs formats are always chronological but resumes can be functional, chronological or a hybrid combination of both, and allow for more creativity in design. Additionally, the resume can differ in focus according to whether you are pursuing employment with a not-for-profit organization or a for-profit corporation. Thus, you have some latitude in the style you choose to make you stand out.
If you want to create an effective CV or resume, you need to be diligent in crafting a comprehensive high quality document that will help you land your dream job and secure your career success. In addition to templates, the internet can offer you a number of articles on what to include and how to write persuasively. Of course, you can always turn to a professional writing service if you get stumped.