The Short Answer
In the US/Canada, a resume is a concise 1-2 page document tailored to a specific job. A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is comprehensive with no length limit, covering your entire academic and professional history.
In Europe and most other countries, "CV" means what Americans call a resume.
Key Differences
Length
Resume: 1-2 pages max. CV: No limit (5-20+ pages for academics).
Content
Resume: Targeted experience, relevant skills, education. Tailored per job. CV: Complete record — publications, presentations, research, grants, teaching.
Purpose
Resume: Industry/corporate jobs. CV: Academic positions, medical roles, scientific research, international jobs.
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- Corporate/industry jobs in US or Canada
- Startups and tech companies
- Government positions
- Any posting that says "submit your resume"
- Career fairs and networking
When to Use a CV
- Academic positions (professor, researcher)
- Medical residencies and fellowships
- Scientific research positions
- Graduate/PhD program applications
- International jobs (UK, Europe, Asia)
- Any posting requesting a "CV"
What's in a CV but Not a Resume
- Full publication list
- Conference presentations
- Research experience details
- Grants and funding
- Teaching experience
- Professional memberships
- Dissertations and theses
- References
International Confusion
- UK/Europe/Australia: "CV" = short targeted document (American "resume")
- US/Canada: "Resume" is standard. "CV" means long academic document.
- Middle East/Asia/Africa: "CV" more commonly used than "resume"
Rule: Check the job posting. Use whatever term they use.