CV or Resume?

Deciding whether to use a CV or resume is a difficult task to accomplish. Though both styles of application seem the same, their usage differs largely in various parts of the world. In The United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Ireland, individuals use a CV when applying for any kind of job. In the United States and Canada, individuals use a CV when applying for academic, research, and international jobs, or for fellowships and grants. In Australia, India, and South Africa, individuals use a CV when applying for a job in the public sector, and a resume when applying for a private sector job. Though a CV and resume serve the same basic purpose - that is, to apply for a job opening - some vital differences exist: - A resume contains essential details, such as your name, address, and contact information, followed by your motive to apply for the job, related educational qualifications, and work experience related to the job. Aspects such as your strengths, weaknesses, and additional skills may or may not be mentioned in the given format. - A CV, on the other hand, emphasizes on-the-job experiences, usually listed in reverse chronological order, immediately after the name, address and contact information. These are followed by achievements, awards, publications, affiliations, fellowships, grants and educational details. This style of job application mentions every detail in an applicant’s course of life. - A resume is generally used when applying for positions in commercial, director, media, audio-visual, or creative fields. A CV, on the other hand, is just right for medical, research, academic, technological, scientific, and related fields. - While a resume is a short and precise synopsis, usually one to two pages long, a CV is a detailed summation of at least two pages in length. - A resume follows a standard format for all applications. A CV, however, has a functional, chronological, and targeted format to suit different job requirement needs. Whether you apply with a CV or resume, both require a well-written cover letter that introduces you to the employer in the best possible way. Normally, a cover letter presents elaborate information on why the individual is just right for the job he/she is applying for. A cover letter is said to be effective if it describes the motive for the applicant's interest in the organization, and if it matches the job profile with his/her most relevant skills or practices. A cover letter is therefore defined as a document sent along with a CV or resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience. You must understand that the main purpose of building a CV or resume is to get a chance to meet the employer in person. Therefore, it must be tailored according to each company’s individual requirements.