CV vs Resume: Key Differences + Examples [2024]

If you’re here looking to find out what the deal is with resumes and CVs, then you probably fall into one of three camps: you’re applying for a job overseas, you're seeking an academic position in the UK or abroad, or looking for a job in the UK and keep coming across conflicting information.

The very short answer is that the document you submit as part of a non-academic job application in the UK is called a CV (Curriculum Vitae). Essentially the same document is called a resume in the USA. Scroll down to see an example of a UK CV/US resume.

In this article you will see:

• A resume vs a CV comparison.
• Key differences between a CV and a resume.
• A comparison of the most popular CV and resume formats.

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Want to learn more about CV writing? Check these guides:

• 15 Simple CV Templates to Apply
• Best CV Writing Tips for Starters
• CV Meaning Explained in Detail
• How to Write a CV With No Experience?
• How to Write a Skills-Based CV The Right Way
• Should You Put an Address on a CV?
• What is a CV Objective & How to Write One
• What is a Speculative CV & How to Make One
• What Personal Details Should You Add to Your CV?

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Resume vs CV: example of a CV that could be a resume

Resume vs CV: main objectives

Is a resume a CV? And which one is correct in the UK: a CV or a resume?

When people say ‘CV’ in the UK, they mean essentially the same thing as people in the USA do when they say ‘resume’. In the UK, people don’t use the word resume at all, though. In the US, they use the words ‘Curriculum Vitae’ (CV) to mean something quite different than what people in the UK call by that name.

The US use of ‘CV’ corresponds with the UK academic use. People applying for an academic position in a university or other higher education institution generally submit a CV, whether in the UK or USA. A CV in this context is a significantly longer version of both the regular British CV and American resume.

And what is a CV in England, specifically? In the UK, a CV is a comprehensive document that provides a summary of a candidate's educational background, work experience, accomplishments, and skills. They're usually displayed in a chronological order, and take one page maximum.

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CV vs resume: key differences

In the UK there is no difference between a CV and a resume. Both terms refer to the same thing, although ‘resume’ is not used at all in the UK. The term 'CV' is also popular in Ireland and New Zealand, as well as in Europe. In the USA there is a big difference between a resume and a CV: a resume is what would be called a CV in the UK and a CV is used only in academic contexts.

An academic CV (simply called a CV in the US) is very different from a regular CV or resume (US). It’s typically a far longer document with no page limit and includes many additional sections, like publications, conferences, fellowships, research grants, and so on. It’s used mainly for teaching and research jobs.

The word ‘resume’ is taken from the French résumé, the past participle of résumer, meaning ‘to summarise’. Whereas the term ‘curriculum vitae’ (CV) is simply Latin for ‘the course of one’s life’. This might suggest that a resume is a brief summary of your working life while a CV is more of an unfiltered account.

This rings truer for the US use of the terms resume and CV (where a CV [academic CV in the UK] is a longer, less filtered document than a resume). In the UK, though, a CV is no less a brief summary than a US resume. Both are tailored to a given job application and both focus on only the most relevant details.

UK vs other parts of the English-speaking world

On the UK side, there is Ireland, most European countries, and New Zealand. In these countries a relatively short summary of your education and career (what would be called a resume in the US) is called a CV. People applying for a university teaching and/or research position will typically submit an academic CV.

On the US side, there is mainly just Canada. Here the term CV is reserved for giving a fuller account of academic careers while regular job applications are handled with a resume. Aside from minor regional differences, a resume in these countries is the same as a CV in the UK.

Finally, there’s Australia, South Africa, and India. In these countries the terms CV and resume are used interchangeably and mean the same thing. Even though ‘CV’ and ‘resume’ mean the same thing, CVs are slightly more likely to be used for white-collar jobs and resumes for blue-collar and unskilled ones.

Resume vs CV: is there any format difference?

There are three main formats that either a CV or a resume can take:

• Chronological (UK) / reverse-chronological (US) (contrary to appearances, these refer to the same thing)
• Functional / skills based
• Combination / hybrid. 

In order to compare apples to apples, let’s focus on what is by far the most common one of these—the chronological format.

The format of a reverse-chronological CV (UK) and a reverse-chronological resume (US) can be identical and is at the very least extremely similar. Compare them for yourself:

A resume summary can end up being exactly the same as a personal statement, so the formats are potentially identical. Compare these with what is called an academic CV in the UK and simply a CV in the USA:

Academic CV (UK) / CV (US)

• Contact details
• Research objective / personal profile
• Education
• Awards and funding
• Teaching/supervising experience
• Research experience
• Publications
• Conferences
• Grants and fellowships
• Professional memberships
• Additional activities
• Skills
• Languages
• References

The difference is striking. An academic CV is a different thing altogether. The format isn’t as fixed as a regular CV (or resume). The other major difference is that an academic CV isn’t a summary, it’s a complete account of an academic’s working life. You tailor your CV to each job but not your academic CV.

CV vs resume: when to use each?

Generally, use the document-naming and other conventions of the country in which you’re applying for the job. So:

• In the UK, use a CV
• In the US, use a resume
• When applying to a US company in the UK, use a CV.

When applying for a university post, use an academic CV in either country unless asked for something different. The title of an academic CV is going to be ‘Curriculum Vitae’ regardless of whether you’re in the UK or US.

Resume vs CV: cover letters are universal

Whatever it’s called and wherever you’re submitting it, your CV is only part of your job application. A complete job application includes at least a cover letter and a CV, in that order. Some employers will explicitly ask you not to submit a cover letter. In those cases and those cases only, you’re off the hook.

If an employer doesn’t mention a cover letter at all, then you have to assume one’s required. In the UK, a cover letter will follow the standard British business letter format. This will affect the way the header is set out, the salutation you use, and the way you sign off.

With those formalities taken care of by the format, you’re left with the main body of the cover letter. The body is broken down into three or four parts: an opening that catches your readers’ attention, a paragraph that wows them with your achievements, and quick wrap-up with a clear call to action.

CV vs resume: final things to keep in mind

Dealing with your potential employer can be a stressful and even intimidating thing. You want to make a good impression but don’t know them at all. To make things worse, everything feels like a test. It can seem like you’re expected to figure everything out by yourself to demonstrate your abilities.

This is almost never the case, though. If you’re not sure if a CV will be OK for a company that asked for a resume, then contact them and ask. The same holds true for anything else that’s unclear in the job advert. Do your best to find out for yourself, but if you can’t find the information you need—ask.

One final note regarding spelling: you may see resume spelt with the original French accents as ‘résumé’. More rarely, you’ll find curriculum vitae written as ‘curriculum vitæ’. These alternate versions are not incorrect but it’s generally best to stick to using only the English alphabet for such words.

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I hope this article has helped you sort through the confusion surrounding these terms! Is there anything you’d like to ask or to add? Do you come from or work in a country where things are different again? Leave your questions, comments and feedback in the comments section below!

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.