Comparing Resumes and Curriculum Vitae
Q: Is a curriculum vitae (CV ) the same as a resume?
A: Yes and No
A curriculum vitae and resume share the same purpose: a document that highlights pertinent information about a candidate’s education, experiences, skills, and personal qualities. Resumes and curricula vitae, also known as CVs, are different because of their formats, uses, and acceptable lengths.
Resumes are usually 1-2 pages, and CVs can be unlimited in length, because they include a more extensive listing of varied experiences.
CVs are often for positions in research, medicine, science, and higher education. They can also be a piece of the application materials for some graduate or professional programs. If you’re applying for a position abroad, employers in other countries sometimes expect a CV instead of a resume.
Content for a CV
Q: So if a CV is longer, what else should I include that wouldn't be on my resume?
A: It depends on how you’re using the CV.
If you’re using it to apply for graduate school, think about what the graduate program would be interested in learning about you. Most likely this would involve longer descriptions of academic work that you’ve done (including class projects, research, presentations, papers, field work, etc.)
If you’re using a CV to apply for an international position or a position in a field that typically uses CVs (research, medicine, science, and higher education), you’ll be taking more time and space to describe the prior experiences (jobs, internships, student organizations, leadership, coursework, etc.) that you think would best prepare you for this future job role.
For more information on writing a curriculum vitae: