Resume vs. CV: Differences, Examples, and Which One to Use

A resume is a short job-focused document that summarizes your skills, experience, and achievements. A CV is usually a longer, more detailed document used for academic, research, medical, or international applications.

Resume: a one- or two-page job application document
CV: a detailed career history, often used in academia or research

In the United States, most job applications ask for a resume, not a CV. However, universities, research positions, fellowships, grants, and some medical roles may ask for a CV.

Resume vs. CV at a glance

Document	Main purpose	Typical length
resume	job applications	1–2 pages
CV	academic, research, medical, or detailed career record	2+ pages, sometimes much longer

Quick rule:

Use a resume for most US jobs.
Use a CV for academic, research, medical, or grant-related applications.
Always follow the employer’s or institution’s instructions.

What is a resume?

A resume is a brief, targeted document used to apply for a job. It highlights the experience, skills, education, and achievements most relevant to a specific role.

A resume usually includes:

contact information
professional summary
work experience
skills
education
certifications
selected achievements

Example use:

You apply for a marketing assistant job.
You submit a one-page resume focused on marketing, writing, social media, and project experience.

A good resume is not a complete life history. It is a focused argument that says: “I am a strong fit for this job.”

What is a CV?

CV stands for curriculum vitae, a Latin phrase that means “course of life.” A CV is a more detailed document that lists a person’s education, academic background, research, publications, presentations, grants, awards, teaching experience, and professional history.

A CV may include:

contact information
education
research experience
teaching experience
publications
conference presentations
grants and fellowships
awards and honors
professional memberships
academic service
certifications or licenses
selected work experience

Example use:

You apply for a university research position.
You submit a CV that includes your degrees, research projects, publications, and conference presentations.

A CV can be several pages long because it is meant to show a fuller academic or professional record.

Key differences between a resume and a CV

The biggest differences are length, purpose, and level of detail.

Feature	Resume	CV
Length	usually 1–2 pages	often 2+ pages
Focus	job fit	full academic/professional record
Customization	highly customized for each job	updated over time, less shortened
Common in US	most jobs	academia, research, medicine
Includes publications	only if relevant	usually yes
Includes full work history	not always	often more complete

If the application is for a regular job in the US, a resume is usually expected. If the application is academic or research-based, a CV may be expected.

Which one should you use in the US?

For most US job applications, use a resume.

Use a resume for:

business jobs
marketing jobs
customer service jobs
administrative jobs
technology jobs
sales jobs
internships
most entry-level jobs
most corporate roles

Use a CV for:

academic positions
research roles
PhD applications
postdoctoral positions
university teaching roles
grants and fellowships
medical academic roles
some international applications

If an employer says “submit your resume,” send a resume. If an institution says “submit your CV,” send a CV.

Resume example sections

A basic resume might look like this:

Name and contact information
Professional summary
Work experience
Skills
Education
Certifications

Example summary:

> Detail-oriented administrative assistant with three years of experience managing schedules, preparing reports, and supporting customer communication.

Example bullet:

Managed weekly reports for a team of 12 and reduced data-entry errors by 20%.

Resume writing should be concise, specific, and achievement-focused.

CV example sections

A CV may include more sections than a resume:

Name and contact information
Education
Research interests
Teaching experience
Publications
Conference presentations
Grants and fellowships
Awards and honors
Professional memberships
Academic service

Example publication entry:

Smith, J. (2025). Language learning and memory in adult learners. Journal of Applied Linguistics.

Example teaching entry:

Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Academic Writing, University of Example, Fall 2025

A CV should be organized, complete, and easy to scan.

Resume vs. CV outside the United States

The meaning of resume and CV can change by country.

In the United States:

resume = common job application document
CV = academic or detailed professional document

In some other countries:

CV may mean the standard job application document
resume may be less commonly used

This is why context matters. If you are applying internationally, read the instructions carefully and research local expectations.

Should a resume be one page?

Many resumes are one page, especially for students, new graduates, and early-career applicants. However, a two-page resume can be acceptable if you have enough relevant experience.

Use one page if:

you are a student
you are applying for an internship
you have limited work experience
your experience fits clearly on one page

Use two pages if:

you have several years of relevant experience
you need space for measurable achievements
the job is senior or technical
cutting to one page would remove important information

Do not make a resume longer just to look more experienced. A strong resume is focused.

Common mistakes

Mistake 1: Sending a CV when the job asks for a resume

If a US employer asks for a resume, do not send a long academic CV unless the role specifically requires it.

Mistake 2: Making a resume too long

A resume should be targeted. Remove unrelated details that do not help your application.

Mistake 3: Treating a CV like a short resume

A CV should include detailed academic, research, or professional accomplishments when relevant.

Mistake 4: Not customizing the resume

Weak: one generic resume for every job

Better: a resume adjusted to match the job description

Mistake 5: Ignoring the application instructions

The safest rule is simple: submit the document the employer or institution requests.

Quick quiz

Choose resume or CV.

You are applying for a retail job in the US.
You are applying for a PhD program.
You are applying for a corporate marketing role.
You are listing publications and conference presentations.
A US job posting asks for a one-page document.

Answers:

resume
CV
resume
CV
resume

FAQ

What is the main difference between a resume and a CV?

A resume is a short, targeted job application document. A CV is a longer, more detailed document often used for academic, research, medical, or grant-related applications.

Do US employers want a resume or CV?

Most US employers want a resume. Academic, research, and medical institutions may ask for a CV.

What does CV stand for?

CV stands for curriculum vitae.

Is a CV longer than a resume?

Usually yes. A CV is often longer because it includes more detailed academic and professional history.

Can I use the same document for every job?

No. You should customize your resume for each job. A CV should also be updated and organized for the specific opportunity.

Should students use a resume or CV?

For most internships and jobs, students should use a resume. For graduate school, research, or academic opportunities, a CV may be required.

The same context-first habit also helps with Professional Email Greetings and Closings and Formal vs. Informal Writing. For a wider set of examples in this topic, use the Business & Academic English archive as the category grows.

Final tip

Use a resume for most US job applications. Use a CV for academic, research, medical, grant, or detailed professional contexts.

If the instructions are clear, follow them exactly. If they are not clear, a resume is usually the safer choice for a standard US job application.