So, what does CV stand for? CV is short for curriculum vitae, which is Latin for “course of life.” It refers to a short document in which job candidates describe their work experience, education and other qualifications – in other words, a resume.
Resume (also spelled résumé), comes from the French resumer (to sum up), which in turn comes from the Latin resumere (to take up again). This blog will explain the differences and similarities between the two documents and when to use each. Here’s what we’ll cover:
In most cases, the words CV and resume mean the exact same thing: that crucial job-application document prepared to convince an employer to hire you. Resume is simply the preferred term in the United States and Canada, while CV (curriculum vitae) is more commonly used in the rest of the English-speaking world.
But there’s one major exception to this rule, when “CV” has a different meaning, and that's why the resume-synonymous description above refers to “ordinary” or “normal” CVs. Keep reading.
We’ll explore in more detail the nuances of CVs and resumes later in this blog post. As we’ve already established, exactly what a CV refers to all depends on the context. But just what is a CV? In most cases when you are asked for a CV you are being asked for a short document that summarizes your professional experience and skills.
It’s worth taking the time to understand more than what does CV stand for. At the core of the matter, you need to understand what is really being referred to when somebody talks about a CV. Most job applications require a standard CV or resume. That’s because it’s a relatively standardized way of communicating your professional experience.
A regular CV fits neatly onto one or two pages which makes it easy for a hiring manager to see in a few seconds how well suited you are likely to be for the role they’re recruiting. A typical CV will consist of the following sections:
Let’s break down those sections in more detail. However, if you’re interested in learning more about how to prepare a standard resume then you can always check out our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.
“Academic CV” is a term used more universally, including in the U.S. and Canada. This is a longer document, typically used in academia, medicine and certain scientific fields. It presents a fairly exhaustive list of one’s academic achievements, publications, awards, honors, grants, fellowships and other notable accomplishments.
There is no length limit for an academic CV, while there is widespread agreement that a normal CV/resume should usually not exceed one page. For more information on this topic, consult our article on “ Resume vs. curriculum vitae (CV): What’s the difference?”
Both ordinary CVs and resumes include five basic elements:
The most commonly used chronological resume / CV format is better for job candidates with more traditional career paths, who have moved from one full-time job to the next. Your work experience highlights are listed in reverse chronological order — last job first, first job last.
In the functional resume format, past experience is grouped under different job skills. This may be suitable for job seekers who are new to the workforce or changing careers. Or it is sometimes preferable for freelancers or contractors who want to highlight projects they have completed for various clients.
An academic CV goes into far more detail on a person’s academic achievements. This kind of long-form CV would be used by someone seeking a job in academia, or perhaps applying for a grant, fellowship, postdoctoral position or a research post.
In addition to the basics listed above, here are some of the additional elements that may be included in an academic CV:
As stated already, a resume and a normal CV are usually one and the same kind of document for the same purpose. Whether it’s called a resume or a CV likely depends on the country where you’re applying for a job. Either way, a one-page (or possibly two-page) summary of your professional experience, education and skills is all you need for the vast majority of jobs, regardless of occupation.
Most job applicants never need to worry about creating a long-form academic CV. In fact, a CV/resume longer than two pages would be a detriment in most fields.
Academic CVs are reserved for academia and certain medical or scientific fields. Typically this will be when applicants are seeking a grant, fellowship or research job.
If you are not in one of these categories, all you need is a short and simple resume/CV.
If your situation falls into a gray area where either a short-form or long-form CV might be appropriate, consider asking intended recipients which style is required or preferred.
Writing a good CV or resume requires, first, knowing your field and what employers are looking for in job candidates.
You should start by studying job listings closely to understand what employers are seeking. Your CV/resume should not be carved in stone, but should be tailored for each job application.
Always think in terms of the employer’s needs, not your own, and try to deliver a resume/CV that describes the very person the hiring manager is looking for.
Optimize for ATS
What does CV stand for? Now you know! But what about the ATS?
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are software programs that employers use to determine whether job candidates meet specified job qualifications. For each job opening, employers first input the experience, education and skills they are looking for in a new employee. Then the ATS program compares incoming resumes to the keywords that describe the ideal candidate. If your resume/CV is lacking these keywords, it’s likely to be rejected without any human review. This is why it’s essential to study job listings closely and make your resume match as much as possible.
There are a few other differences in standards for preparing CVs and resumes in various countries. In the U.S., resumes should not contain personal information like age, gender, race or marital status. This is because nondiscrimination laws prevent employers from taking factors like these into account in their hiring decisions. However, it’s much more common to include this kind of personal info in resumes and CVs submitted in other countries.
Should you include a photo of yourself with your resume or CV? In the U.S., this is sometimes frowned on for the same reasons, because it reveals information about your age, race and gender. But outside the U.S., it’s far more common to include a photo with a resume.