CV vs Resume: What’s the Difference? (2026 Guide)

Should you submit a resume or a CV? The answer depends on where you’re applying, what industry you’re in, and what the employer specifically requests. Using the wrong document can hurt your chances—even if your qualifications are perfect for the role.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the key differences between CVs and resumes, explain when to use each, cover regional variations, and show you how to create the right document for your situation.

The Quick Answer: CV vs Resume

Resume	CV (Curriculum Vitae)
1-2 pages maximum	2+ pages (no limit, grows with career)
Tailored for each job application	Comprehensive and relatively static
Focuses on relevant experience only	Covers entire career history
Standard in US, Canada, Australia	Standard in Europe, UK, academia, research
Used for private-sector jobs	Used for academic, scientific, medical roles
Highlights achievements with metrics	Lists all positions, publications, grants

Bottom line: In the US and Canada, use a resume for corporate jobs and a CV for academic positions. In the UK and Europe, “CV” typically refers to what Americans call a resume. Always follow the specific instructions in the job posting.

What Is a Resume?

A resume is a concise, targeted document that summarizes your most relevant qualifications for a specific job. The word comes from the French “résumé,” meaning “summary”—and that’s exactly what it should be.

Key characteristics of a resume:

• Length: Typically 1 page for entry-level and early career, up to 2 pages for experienced professionals with 10+ years
• Content: Contact info, professional summary/objective, work experience (most relevant), education, skills
• Approach: Strategically customized for each job application to match requirements
• Focus: Achievements and skills that directly match the target job description
• Goal: Get an interview by quickly proving you’re qualified for that specific role

Resumes are designed to be scanned quickly. Recruiters spend an average of 6-7 seconds on initial review, so every word needs to earn its place. Irrelevant information wastes precious space and dilutes your message.

What Is a CV (Curriculum Vitae)?

A CV (curriculum vitae, Latin for “course of life”) is a comprehensive document that details your entire academic and professional history. Unlike a resume, a CV is meant to be exhaustive and grows throughout your career.

Key characteristics of a CV:

• Length: 2+ pages minimum, often 5-10+ pages for senior academics and researchers
• Content: Complete career history plus publications, research, grants, presentations, teaching experience, conferences
• Approach: Comprehensive and chronological—nothing relevant is intentionally omitted
• Focus: Demonstrating the full depth and breadth of expertise developed over time
• Goal: Provide a complete picture of scholarly or professional contributions

Unlike resumes, length is often a positive signal in academic CVs. A 15-page CV from a senior professor demonstrates decades of research, publications, and scholarly impact. The expectation is comprehensiveness, not brevity.

Key Differences Between CV and Resume

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1. Length

Resume: Keep it short and focused. One page is ideal for most professionals with less than 10 years of experience. Two pages maximum for senior professionals and executives.

CV: No page limit whatsoever. A new PhD graduate might have a 3-page CV, while an established professor’s CV could exceed 20 pages with publication lists, conference presentations, and grant histories.

2. Purpose and Strategy

Resume: To win a specific job by proving you’re the ideal candidate. You strategically include only experience, skills, and achievements that directly relate to the position.

CV: To document your complete professional and academic record for evaluation. The goal is demonstrating expertise and contribution to your field over time.

3. Customization Approach

Resume: Tailored significantly for each application. You reorder sections, adjust emphasis, modify bullet points, and sometimes completely restructure to match different job requirements.

CV: Generally static and consistent. You add new accomplishments (publications, grants, positions) but don’t remove old content or restructure for individual applications.

4. Content Sections

Standard resume sections:

• Contact information
• Professional summary or objective
• Work experience (relevant positions only)
• Skills (technical and soft)
• Education
• Certifications (if relevant)

Standard CV sections:

• Contact information
• Research interests/statement
• Education (detailed, including dissertation)
• Academic appointments/positions
• Publications (peer-reviewed, books, chapters)
• Presentations and conference papers
• Grants and fellowships (with amounts)
• Teaching experience
• Awards and honors
• Professional memberships
• Service and committee work
• References

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When to Use a Resume

Use a resume when applying for:

• Private sector jobs in the US, Canada, or Australia—corporate, startup, nonprofit
• Business roles in any industry (tech, finance, marketing, sales, operations)
• Non-academic positions where the job posting specifically requests a “resume”
• Startup and tech jobs that value brevity, impact, and clear communication
• Government jobs (though federal positions have unique requirements)
• Most positions where length isn’t specified and academia isn’t involved

Rule of thumb: In the US or Canada, default to a resume unless the posting specifically requests a CV or the role is academic/research.

When to Use a CV

Use a CV when applying for:

• Academic positions—professor, lecturer, researcher, postdoc
• Scientific or research roles at universities, labs, or research institutions
• Medical positions—physicians, surgeons, medical researchers
• Grants, fellowships, and scholarships
• Jobs in the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia, or Middle East (where “CV” is standard)
• International organizations—UN, World Bank, WHO, NGOs
• Any position that specifically requests a “CV” or “curriculum vitae”

CV vs Resume by Country

Terminology and expectations vary significantly by region. Here’s what to expect:

United States & Canada

Resume is standard for nearly all jobs outside academia. “CV” is reserved for academic, research, and medical positions. Important: If a US job posting says “CV,” they often mean “resume” unless it’s clearly an academic role. When uncertain, submit a resume.

Typical length: 1-2 pages for resume; unlimited for academic CV

United Kingdom & Ireland

CV is the standard term for all job applications—it’s what Americans would call a resume. A UK CV is typically 2 pages and focuses on relevant experience. The longer academic “curriculum vitae” is a separate document used only in academia.

Typical length: 2 pages for most jobs

Europe (Continental)

CV is standard across most European countries. Length expectations vary: 1-2 pages is typical in Germany, France, and Nordic countries, while Southern European CVs may run longer. Photos are often expected or even required on European CVs (unlike in the US/UK).

Typical length: 1-2 pages; photo often expected

Australia & New Zealand

Both terms are used interchangeably. A 2-3 page document is common and acceptable for most professional roles. Follow the specific language used in the job posting.

Typical length: 2-3 pages

Middle East, Asia & Africa

CV is the common term. Documents often include personal details that are unusual in Western applications: photo, date of birth, nationality, marital status, and sometimes visa status. Length is typically 2+ pages.

Typical length: 2-3 pages; personal details often included

Saudi Arabia & GCC Countries

CV is standard terminology. Personal information including nationality, visa status, and photo are typically expected. Documents tend to be 2-3 pages. For government or semi-government positions, more comprehensive CVs may be preferred.

Typical length: 2-3 pages; photo and personal details expected

How to Convert a Resume to a CV

Transitioning from industry to academia? Here’s how to expand your resume into a proper CV:

1. Start with your resume as the foundation
2. Expand education details—include thesis/dissertation titles, advisors, relevant coursework, honors
3. Add academic sections: Publications, presentations, conferences attended, research experience
4. Include teaching experience—courses taught, TA positions, guest lectures, curriculum development
5. List grants, fellowships, and awards with funding amounts and dates
6. Add professional memberships and service activities (committees, reviews)
7. Include a research interests or research statement section
8. Don’t summarize—be comprehensive and include everything relevant

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How to Convert a CV to a Resume

Moving from academia to industry? Here’s how to condense your CV into a focused resume:

1. Identify your target job and carefully analyze its requirements
2. Keep only relevant experience—cut academic positions that don’t demonstrate transferable value
3. Condense publications to a single line (“Author of 15+ peer-reviewed publications”) or remove if not relevant
4. Reduce education details—degree, institution, year is usually sufficient
5. Reframe accomplishments using business language and quantified metrics
6. Add a professional summary at the top tailored specifically to the industry role
7. Translate academic work into transferable skills (research → data analysis; teaching → training/communication)
8. Aim for 1-2 pages maximum

Common CV and Resume Mistakes

Resume Mistakes

• Including irrelevant jobs that pad length without demonstrating value
• Using the same generic resume for every application without tailoring
• Listing job responsibilities instead of quantified achievements
• Exceeding 2 pages for non-executive roles
• Submitting an academic CV when a concise resume is expected

CV Mistakes

• Omitting relevant publications, presentations, or research activities
• Not keeping it updated with recent accomplishments
• Poor organization that makes information difficult to locate
• Submitting a lengthy academic CV for a corporate job
• Inconsistent formatting across sections

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a CV the same as a resume?

It depends on where you are. In the US and Canada, a resume is a brief (1-2 page) document tailored for specific jobs, while a CV is a comprehensive academic document with no page limit. However, in the UK and much of Europe, “CV” refers to what Americans call a resume.

How long should a CV be?

An academic CV has no length limit—it grows throughout your career. Entry-level academics might have 2-3 page CVs, while senior professors often have 10-20+ pages including comprehensive publication lists. A British/European “CV” (equivalent to a US resume) should typically be 2 pages.

Should I include a photo on my CV or resume?

In the US, UK, and Canada: Generally no. Photos can lead to discrimination concerns. In continental Europe, Asia, Middle East, and much of Africa: Photos are often expected or required. Always follow local norms for your target location.

Can I use a CV for a non-academic job?

In the US, no—submit a resume instead. A 5-page academic CV for a marketing role will likely disqualify you. In Europe and the UK where “CV” means resume, follow local length expectations (typically 1-2 pages).

What if the job posting doesn’t specify CV or resume?

In the US/Canada, default to a resume unless it’s an academic or research position. In Europe and internationally, “CV” is usually the expected term. When genuinely uncertain, a well-crafted 2-page document works for most situations.

Do I need both a CV and a resume?

If you work in academia or research but might pursue industry opportunities, yes. Maintain a comprehensive CV for academic applications and create tailored resumes when applying for industry positions. This lets you respond appropriately to any opportunity.

What’s the difference between a CV and a cover letter?

A CV/resume documents your qualifications (what you’ve done). A cover letter explains your interest and fit (why you want this role and why you’re the right candidate). They serve different purposes and are typically submitted together.

Key Takeaways

• Resume: Brief (1-2 pages), tailored for each job, focuses on relevant qualifications
• CV: Comprehensive, detailed, covers entire academic/professional history
• US/Canada: Use “resume” for corporate jobs, “CV” for academia and research
• UK/Europe: “CV” typically means what Americans call a resume (1-2 pages)
• When unsure: Follow the job posting’s specific instructions exactly
• Key difference: Resumes are tailored and selective; CVs are comprehensive and complete
• Regional norms: Understand local expectations for photos, personal details, and length

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For more guidance, explore our resume templates, resume examples by industry, and guide to resume length.