The core difference
In the United States and Canada, a resume is a one to two page summary of experience tailored to a specific job. A CV (curriculum vitae) is a comprehensive document that lists every academic and professional achievement, typically running to three or more pages.
In the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and most of Europe, CV and resume mean the same thing: a short document similar to the US resume. The word CV is the default in these regions, and it does not imply the long academic document.
Which one to use by region
United States and Canada
Use a resume for industry jobs. Use a CV for academic, research, medical, and sometimes legal or scientific positions. Industry CVs are rare and typically signal an academic candidate trying to transition.
United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia
Use a CV for all professional roles. It should be one to two pages, similar in content and structure to a US resume. The word CV is the standard term.
Continental Europe
Use a CV. In many countries, the CV includes a photo and personal details such as date of birth or nationality, though this is changing. Local norms vary; check samples from the specific country.
Asia
Use a resume for private sector roles and a CV for academic or research roles. Photo use varies. In Japan, a specific format called rirekisho is used for some applications.
Middle East and Africa
CV is the standard term and often includes personal details. CVs in some countries run longer than US resumes, but the trend is toward shorter, tailored documents.
Latin America
CV is the standard term. Photo use is common. Length varies; one to two pages for professional roles.
Which one to use by industry
Academic and research
CV. List every publication, every grant, every teaching position, every committee, and every invited talk. Long is expected. Some academic CVs run to thirty pages.
Medicine and healthcare
CV for physician, surgeon, and clinical research roles. Resume for administrative and non-clinical healthcare roles like nursing, allied health, and health IT.
Law
Resume for most legal roles in the US. CV for academic law positions and for legal roles in the UK and Europe.
Engineering
Resume for industry roles. CV for research and academic positions.
Technology, finance, marketing, and business
Resume. CVs are uncommon in these fields except at the most senior academic-adjacent research levels.
Creative fields
Resume. Portfolio and personal website carry more weight than either document.
Structural differences
Resume structure
- One to two pages.
- Targeted to a specific job.
- Leads with experience and outcomes.
- Includes a professional summary.
- Tailored for each application.
Academic CV structure
- Three to thirty pages.
- Comprehensive, not targeted.
- Leads with education, then research, then publications.
- Includes full lists of every academic contribution.
- Rarely tailored per application.
The European CV
In the UK and Ireland, the CV is structurally identical to the US resume. Same length, same sections, same tone. The only difference is the name.
In continental Europe, the CV may include a photo, date of birth, nationality, and other personal details. This is changing but still common in Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. If you are applying in these regions, check recent samples from that country.
Which one to send
If the application form or posting uses the word CV, send a CV. If it uses resume, send a resume. If you are applying internationally and are not sure, look at the company's other postings and see what term they use. Match the company's language, not your own.
When in doubt, send the shorter document. A resume sent to a CV-only application is almost never a problem. A long academic CV sent to a resume application almost always is.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a resume for an academic application?
No. Academic applications expect a CV that lists every publication, presentation, grant, and teaching engagement. A resume will be seen as insufficient.
Can I use a CV for an industry application?
Not in the US. In the UK and Europe, CV and resume are the same document, so it is fine. In the US, a long academic CV sent to an industry role signals that the candidate does not understand the difference.
How long should a UK CV be?
One to two pages. Same rules as a US resume. The word CV does not imply a longer document in the UK.
Should I include a photo on a European CV?
In Germany, France, and some other European countries, photos are common. In the UK and Ireland, they are not. Check local norms for the specific country.
Do I need different versions of my resume for different countries?
Yes, at minimum for length and personal details. A US resume and a German CV are different documents with different conventions.