“CV” and “resume” are used differently around the world, and employers within one country do not always agree. The safest approach is to read the advert and match what it asks for.
The general pattern
| Term | Often means | Where you commonly see it |
|---|---|---|
| Resume | A short, tailored summary of experience, usually one or two pages | United States and Canada for most jobs |
| CV (curriculum vitae) | A document covering work history and education; length varies. In academic and research settings it can be a long, complete record | UK, Ireland, much of Europe, the Gulf, India, Australia and New Zealand |
These are tendencies, not rules. In many places people use the two words for the same document.
How to decide
- Read the advert. If it states a page limit, a format or required details, follow that.
- Look at the country. See our international format guide for paper size, photos and personal details.
- Match the role. Academic, medical and research roles often expect a longer CV; most corporate roles prefer a focused one to two pages.
What stays the same
- Clear contact details and honest dates.
- Most relevant experience first, with specific bullet points.
- Real, selectable text and standard headings so people and software can read it.
Common questions
Should I send a CV when the advert says resume?
Send what the advert asks for, in the length it asks for. If the words are used interchangeably, a focused one-to-two page document is a safe choice for most jobs.
Can I use the same document for every application?
You can keep one master version, but tailoring the summary and the most relevant bullet points for each role usually reads better.