What Is a CV?
CV and resume are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Here is what each one actually means and when to use which.
CV stands for curriculum vitae — Latin for "course of life." In practice, what it means depends on where you are.
In the US and Canada
A resume is a one- to two-page summary of your relevant experience, tailored for a specific job. A CV is a comprehensive document that lists your entire academic and professional history — publications, research, teaching experience, grants, conferences, and more. CVs have no page limit and are used primarily in academia, research, and medicine.
If you are applying to a corporate job in North America and the posting asks for a "CV," they almost certainly mean a resume.
Outside the US
In most of Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Asia, "CV" is simply the word people use for what Americans call a resume. It is the same document — a concise, tailored summary of your experience. No one expects a ten-page academic history.
Which One Do You Need?
| Situation | Document |
|---|---|
| Corporate job in the US or Canada | Resume |
| Academic or research position anywhere | CV (full academic history) |
| Job application in Europe, UK, or Australia | CV (but it is really a resume) |
| Fellowship, grant, or postdoc application | CV (full academic history) |
| Not sure what they are asking for | Check the country and industry — when in doubt, send a tailored resume |
The Short Version
If you are not in academia, you need a resume — regardless of what the posting calls it. Keep it concise, keep it relevant, and tailor it to the role.
Resume, CV — whatever you call it.
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