Resume vs CV: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each

Many job seekers use the terms “resume” and “CV” interchangeably—but they’re not the same thing. Understanding the difference between a resume vs CV can help you apply with the right document and increase your chances of landing the job.

A resume is a concise, one- to two-page summary of your work experience, skills, and achievements. It’s designed to be job-specific and tailored for each role. Resumes are most common in the U.S., Canada, and for private-sector jobs.

A CV (Curriculum Vitae), on the other hand, is a comprehensive document that includes your full academic history, publications, awards, and professional details. It’s commonly used for academic, research, or government roles, especially in Europe, India, and other regions.

Here’s a quick rule of thumb:

✔️ Use a resume for jobs in business, tech, marketing, etc.
🧑‍🎓 Use a CV when applying for fellowships, PhDs, or academic roles.

Not sure which to use—or how to format them? Tools like MaxProfile let you build optimized, professional resumes and CVs for any country or role, in minutes.