Resume vs CV: What's the Difference? Complete Guide (2026)

You're applying for a job and the posting says 'submit your CV.' But you have a resume. Are they the same thing? Can you send your resume instead? The confusion between resumes and CVs (curriculum vitae) is one of the most common questions job seekers have—and for good reason. The answer depends on where you're applying, what industry you're in, and what type of position you're seeking. This complete guide clears up the confusion once and for all, showing you exactly when to use a resume vs. a CV, the key differences between them, and how to create the right document for your situation.

Resume vs CV: Quick Answer

In the United States and Canada: A resume is a concise 1-2 page document highlighting your most relevant experience and skills for a specific job. A CV (curriculum vitae) is a comprehensive multi-page academic document listing your entire career history, publications, research, and achievements. In Europe, UK, Ireland, and most other countries: The terms are often used interchangeably, and both refer to what Americans would call a resume—a 1-2 page professional summary.

Resume vs CV: The Key Differences

Length

Resume: Typically 1 page for entry-level to mid-career professionals, 2 pages for experienced professionals and executives. Never exceeds 2 pages. CV (Academic): Can be 3-10+ pages depending on career length and accomplishments. No page limit—includes everything relevant to your academic career. CV (International): Usually 1-2 pages, similar to an American resume.

Purpose

Resume: Tailored marketing document designed to get you an interview for a specific job. Highlights only the most relevant experience and skills. CV (Academic): Comprehensive record of your entire academic and professional career. Used for academic positions, research roles, fellowships, and grants. CV (International): Job application document, similar purpose to an American resume but may include more personal details.

Content

Resume includes: Contact information, professional summary, work experience (10-15 years max), education, skills, and certifications. CV (Academic) includes: Contact information, education (detailed with dissertation/thesis), teaching experience, research experience, publications, presentations, grants and fellowships, awards and honors, professional affiliations, references, and sometimes courses taught. CV (International) includes: Similar to resume but may add photo, date of birth, nationality, marital status (varies by country).

Customization

Resume: Heavily customized for each job application. You reorder, add, or remove content to match the specific job requirements. CV (Academic): Static document. You add new accomplishments over time but don't remove or reorder based on job postings. CV (International): May be customized slightly for each role, similar to resume practices.

When to Use a Resume

• Applying for corporate, business, or industry jobs in the US or Canada
• Non-academic positions in any field (marketing, sales, IT, finance, healthcare, etc.)
• Entry-level to executive positions in the private sector
• Government jobs in the US (except certain research positions)
• Startup and tech company applications
• When the job posting specifically requests a 'resume'

When to Use a CV

• Academic positions: professor, lecturer, researcher, post-doctoral fellow
• Research scientist roles at universities or research institutions
• Medical positions (residencies, fellowships, medical school applications)
• Applying for grants, scholarships, or fellowships
• International job applications (especially in Europe, UK, Middle East, Asia, Africa)
• Scientific and research positions even in industry (biotech, pharma)
• When the posting specifically asks for a 'CV' or 'curriculum vitae'

Resume vs CV: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature | Resume | CV (Academic) | CV (International) ---|---|---|--- Length | 1-2 pages | 3-10+ pages | 1-2 pages Purpose | Get interview for specific job | Comprehensive career record | Job application (like US resume) Content | Relevant highlights | Complete history | Relevant highlights + personal info Customization | Highly tailored | Static + additions | Moderately tailored Geography | US, Canada | US, Canada (academia) | Europe, UK, Asia, etc. Typical Users | Business professionals | Academics, researchers, doctors | All professionals outside US Format | ATS-friendly, clean | Traditional, detailed | Varies by country Personal Info | Name, contact only | Name, contact, references | May include photo, DOB, nationality

How to Create a Resume

A resume is a targeted, concise document. Follow these guidelines:

• Keep it to 1-2 pages maximum (1 page if you have less than 10 years of experience)
• Lead with a strong professional summary (3-5 sentences highlighting your value)
• Include only relevant experience from the past 10-15 years
• Use bullet points with quantified achievements (numbers, percentages, dollar amounts)
• Create a dedicated Skills section with 10-15 keywords from the job description
• Tailor content for each application (customize summary, reorder bullets, add relevant keywords)
• Use an ATS-friendly format (standard fonts, no tables, no graphics)
• Include education, certifications, and relevant professional development

How to Create an Academic CV

An academic CV is comprehensive and detailed. Include:

• Contact Information: Name, title, institution, email, phone, professional website/Google Scholar
• Education: List all degrees with institution, degree type, year, dissertation/thesis title, advisor
• Academic Positions: All teaching and research positions held
• Publications: Peer-reviewed articles, books, book chapters (in proper citation format)
• Presentations: Conference presentations, invited talks, guest lectures
• Grants and Funding: Research grants received, including amount and funding agency
• Teaching Experience: Courses taught, guest lectures, curriculum development
• Awards and Honors: Academic awards, fellowships, scholarships
• Professional Service: Journal reviewer, committee membership, conference organization
• Professional Affiliations: Learned societies and professional organizations
• References: 3-5 academic references with full contact information (optional but common)

How to Create an International CV

International CVs vary by country but generally follow these guidelines:

• Length: 1-2 pages for most countries (similar to US resume)
• Personal Information: May include photo (2x2 passport style), date of birth, place of birth, nationality, marital status (check country-specific norms)
• Language Skills: List all languages with proficiency levels (native, fluent, intermediate, basic)
• Format: Europass CV format is common in EU countries (free template available)
• Education: Often listed before work experience in European CVs
• References: 'Available upon request' or include 2-3 references
• Date Format: Use DD/MM/YYYY format (not MM/DD/YYYY)

Country-Specific CV/Resume Guidelines

United States

Use: Resume (1-2 pages) for 99% of jobs. CV only for academic, research, or medical positions. Do NOT include: Photo, age, marital status, social security number. Format: ATS-friendly, reverse chronological, achievement-focused.

United Kingdom

Use: CV (1-2 pages, what Americans call a resume). Do NOT include: Photo (unless creative industry), national insurance number, references (say 'available on request'). Format: Clean, professional, skills-focused. Include: Personal statement at the top.

European Union

Use: CV (1-2 pages) or Europass CV format. May include: Photo (professional headshot), nationality, date of birth. Format: Europass template is widely accepted and standardized. Include: Language certifications (CEFR levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2).

Canada

Use: Resume for most jobs, CV for academic positions (similar to US conventions). Do NOT include: Photo, age, marital status, social insurance number. Format: 1-2 pages, bilingual (English/French) if applying in Quebec.

Australia & New Zealand

Use: Resume or CV interchangeably (1-2 pages). May include: References (2-3 professional references). Do NOT include: Photo, age, marital status. Format: Results-oriented, similar to US resume style.

Common Resume vs CV Mistakes

• Sending a resume when a CV is requested (or vice versa): Always follow the posting instructions exactly.
• Using US conventions for international applications: Research country-specific norms before applying abroad.
• Making your resume too long: If you're not in academia, keep it to 2 pages maximum, regardless of experience.
• Making your CV too short: Academic CVs should be comprehensive—don't leave out publications or presentations to save space.
• Including a photo on a US resume: This can lead to discrimination concerns and automatic rejection.
• Not customizing your resume: Generic resumes score poorly in ATS and fail to impress recruiters.
• Using 'CV' and 'resume' interchangeably in the US: In American job applications, these terms mean different things.

Can You Have Both a Resume and a CV?

Yes, and many professionals should maintain both documents. If you're an academic who also does consulting, keep both a comprehensive CV for academic positions and a tailored 2-page resume for industry consulting gigs. If you're applying internationally and domestically, maintain a US-style resume and an international CV format. If you're in a research-heavy industry (biotech, pharma), you might need a CV for research positions and a resume for management roles. The key is to use the right document for the right situation.