What is the Difference between a Curriculum Vitae and a Resume?

Curriculum Vita (CV)

What is it? A summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as

well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations,
awards, honors and affiliations.

How long should it be? There is no page limit.

What is it used for? Typically for graduate school and academic positions
including faculty openings, assistantships, and internships; also grant,
scholarship and fellowship applications.

Resume

What is it? A synopsis of the most relevant professional experiences you

have for the particular job for which you are applying.

How long should it be? One to two pages in length.

What is it used for? Typically, you will use a resume when you apply for
business, industry, governmental, and non-profit jobs. The main purpose of
the resume is to help you get an interview. A polished resume is your chance
to make a good first impression with potential employers.

Common belief is that the difference between a curriculum vitae (CV) and
arsum (commonly written as resume) is that a CV is used in the UK while a
resume is used in the US. While that is true, there is actually a small difference
between the two documents. A resume is typically not more than a page long, and
contains a summary of a person's relevant job experience and education. A
curriculum vitae - which means "course of life" in Latin - is a longer document that
includes details of important but relatively less relevant things, like a more detailed
description of education, publications, awards, affiliations and other academic
accomplishments.
Both are typically used to screen applicants, often followed by an interview, when
seeking employment.
Comparison chart

Length

Contents

Commonl
y written
as

Purpose

Curriculum Vitae

Rsum

Two pages or a little more

One page, sometimes two

pages

Name, contact information, education,

work experience and relevant work-related
skills. Includes a summary of academic
background as well as teaching and
research experience, publications,
presentations, awards, honors, affiliations
and other details

Name, contact information,

education, work experience
and relevant work-related
skills. Focus is on work
experience, listed in reverse
chronological order.

CV

Resume

In Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia,

employers expect a CV. In the U.S., a CV is
used primarily when applying for
academic, education, scientific or research
positions.

Job applications.