CV vs resume - what's the difference?
"CV" and "resume" often get used interchangeably, but if you're applying internationally the difference matters. Here's the short version - and how to decide which one to send.
The short answer
In Europe and the UK, a CV is the standard application document: 1-2 pages covering your experience, education and skills. In the US and Canada, a resume is the norm: a single page, tightly focused on the last few roles and the specific job.
What goes in each
- CV (Europe/UK) - contact details, summary, experience, education, skills, languages. Photo and date of birth vary by country; in the UK, leave them off.
- Resume (US) - one page, results-driven bullet points, no photo, no age, no marital status. Anti-discrimination rules make personal details unwelcome.
Which should you send?
Follow the job ad's language. If it says "resume", send one page focused on relevant results. If it says "CV" - the standard European document is what's expected. When unsure, a clean one-page version tailored to the ad works almost everywhere.
Tips for international applications
- Write in the language of the job ad, and mirror its keywords.
- Start bullet points with action verbs: managed, built, increased.
- Skip the photo and birth date for UK/US applications.
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