When applying for jobs in Denmark, I realized that many positions required a CV instead of a resume. But I was a bit unclear about the differences.
Isn't a resume the same as a CV?
The short answer is no. A resume and a CV are two different documents.
The main differences between a CV and a resume are length and layout.
A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, translates to a course of life in Latin and is an in-depth explanation of your achievements.
CVs can span two or more pages covering topics like education, accomplishments, awards, publications and work history. CVs should be organized chronologically and the format should be fixed.
When I applied for Ph.D. positions worldwide, my CV was three pages long.
In contrast, a resume is a concise document, one to two pages which exemplifies aspects of your relevant work experience and skills.
A resume's goal is to present the highlight reel of your career and help you stand out from the crowd.
Resumes can have various formats to showcase your most relevant experiences.
Resumes are preferred in the United States and Canada, and the CV is preferred in much of Europe and the UK.
Though some recruiters in Denmark sometimes ask me for a CV, I keep it concisely within one page.
Pay attention to which type of document the recruiters tell you to apply for the position and prepare it carefully to ensure you have the best possible chances of getting an interview.
Check out my latest resume to see how I put my CV's content there.