If you've ever applied for a job internationally, you've probably encountered the confusion firsthand: some postings ask for a "CV," some ask for a "resume," and some use both terms as if they're identical. They're not — at least not always. The distinction depends heavily on your field, your geography, and the type of role you're targeting.
The Core Difference
A resume is a concise, targeted document — typically one to two pages — that summarizes your most relevant work experience, skills, and education for a specific job application. It's designed to be scannable and focused. You tailor it for each position.
A CV (curriculum vitae, Latin for "course of life") is a comprehensive record of your entire professional history. It includes everything: all work experience, all education, publications, presentations, awards, certifications, research, professional memberships, and more. There is no page limit; a senior academic's CV might run 10 to 20 pages.
Regional Preferences: Where It Gets Confusing
United States and Canada
In North America, "resume" is the default for virtually all private-sector and most public-sector jobs. The term "CV" is reserved almost exclusively for academic, research, and medical positions where a full record of scholarly output is expected. If a tech company in San Francisco asks for your CV, they almost certainly mean a resume.
United Kingdom and Ireland
In the UK and Ireland, "CV" is the everyday term for what North Americans call a resume — a 1-2 page targeted document for job applications. Saying you submitted your "resume" to a British employer would be perfectly understood but sounds slightly foreign. Academic roles follow the same comprehensive-document convention as in North America.
Europe (non-UK)
Terminology varies country by country. Many European countries have their own conventions — Germany has the Lebenslauf, France the curriculum vitae, Spain the currículum. The EU-promoted Europass CV format is widely accepted for cross-border applications and provides a standardized structure. In most European contexts, the document is expected to be 1-2 pages for most roles, similar to a North American resume.
Australia and New Zealand
"Resume" and "CV" are used interchangeably in everyday language, both meaning a 2-3 page targeted document. The comprehensive academic-style CV exists but is not the norm outside academia.
Asia, Middle East, and Africa
Conventions vary widely. Many markets expect photo and personal details (date of birth, nationality, marital status) that would be unusual or even legally problematic to include in a North American or European application. Research the specific country's norms before applying.
When to Use a Resume
Use a resume when:
- You're applying to a private-sector role in North America, Australia, or New Zealand
- The job posting explicitly asks for a 1-2 page document
- You're applying through an online ATS portal that expects a concise, structured file
- You're changing careers and want to highlight transferable skills over a full history
When to Use a CV
Use a CV when:
- You're applying for an academic, research, medical, or scientific position anywhere
- You're applying outside North America and the posting asks for a "CV" in the traditional sense
- You need to list all publications, presentations, grants, or scholarly contributions
- You're applying for a fellowship, grant, or university faculty position
What They Have in Common
Both documents should include:
- Contact information
- A professional summary or objective (increasingly standard on both)
- Relevant work experience in reverse chronological order
- Education
- Key skills
The difference is depth, length, and audience. A resume gets you an interview at a startup. A CV demonstrates your scholarly record to a hiring committee.
The Practical Takeaway
When in doubt about which to submit: read the job posting carefully, look at where the company is based, and consider the industry. If you're still unsure, a clean, well-structured 1-2 page document covering your most relevant experience will serve you in most situations. Krokanti CV Builder lets you build both formats from the same content base — switch between resume and CV modes without starting over.