CV vs resume

CV vs resume: what's the difference?

In the UK the two words mean the same thing. In the US they do not: a resume is a short, tailored one-to-two page summary, while a CV is a long academic document listing publications, research and teaching.

The short version

What you send depends on the country and the field, not on the word used in the advert.

  • UK / Ireland / most of Europe: 'CV' means a two-page job application document.
  • US / Canada: 'resume' is the standard job document; 'CV' means an academic record with no page limit.
  • Academia, science and medicine, anywhere: a full CV with publications, funding and teaching.

What changes between them

Beyond length, the differences are about what belongs on the page.

  • Length: resume one to two pages; UK CV two pages; academic CV as long as the record requires.
  • Focus: a resume is tailored to one posting; an academic CV is a complete, chronological record.
  • Sections: resumes rarely list publications, grants or conference talks — academic CVs lead with them.
  • Personal details: no photo, date of birth or marital status on UK, Irish or US applications.

What stays the same

Both are read by applicant tracking systems before a human sees them, so both need clear section headings, standard fonts, real dates and the wording used in the job ad.

Both are also judged on evidence. Whichever word the employer uses, replace duty descriptions with what you actually changed — a number, a scale, an outcome.

Common questions

Are a CV and a resume the same thing?

In the UK, Ireland and much of Europe, yes — 'CV' is the everyday word for the two-page document you send with a job application. In the US they differ: a resume is a short targeted summary, while a CV is a long academic record.

Should I send a CV or a resume to a US employer?

Send a resume — one to two pages, tailored to the posting — unless the role is academic, scientific or medical, where a full CV with publications is expected.

Do I need a photo on my CV?

Not in the UK, US or Ireland; leave it off. Some European countries such as Germany still commonly include one. Follow the convention of the country you are applying in.

Write it in the builder.

Draft your CV, run the ATS check against a real job ad, and download a PDF.