CV vs Resume — What's the Difference?
The short answer: same idea, different conventions depending on where you're applying. Sending the wrong format won't necessarily sink your application, but knowing the difference helps you make the right call.
At a Glance
| CV | Resume | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 2+ pages, no strict limit | 1-2 pages max |
| Content | Full career history | Tailored to the role |
| Updated | Ongoing, comprehensive | Per application |
| Standard in | UK, Europe, Middle East, academia | USA, Canada |
What is a CV?
CV stands for Curriculum Vitae — Latin for "course of life." It's a comprehensive record of your career: jobs, qualifications, publications, awards, anything professionally relevant. There's no strict page limit, though most non-academic CVs stay under two pages.
CVs are standard across the UK, Europe, Australia, and most of the world outside North America. In academic or research roles, a full CV is expected everywhere.
What is a Resume?
A resume is a short, targeted pitch — typically one page, two at most — tailored specifically for a single job application. You include only what's relevant to that role and leave the rest out.
Resumes are the standard in the US and Canada. They're built to be scanned quickly and optimised for ATS screening.
Which One Do You Need?
- UK, Iceland, Europe, Australia → CV
- US or Canada → Resume
- Academic or research roles → CV, anywhere
- Not sure? → Check the job posting. If it says neither, go with the convention for that country.
A note on Iceland specifically
In Iceland, the term is ferilskrá (CV). A 1-2 page document covering your experience, education, and skills is the norm. Including a professional photo is common and generally expected — unlike in the UK or US where photos are avoided. Our CV checker takes local conventions into account when scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most jobs — yes. A focused 1-2 page CV works well in both contexts. Where it genuinely matters is US applications (expecting a short resume) or academic roles (expecting a full CV with publications).
Usually yes, but length isn't the real difference — purpose is. A CV is comprehensive; a resume is targeted. You could have a one-page CV for an early-career job seeker.
Depends on the country. Germany, Austria, Iceland, and much of continental Europe expect a photo. The UK and Nordics outside Iceland generally don't. When in doubt, leave it out for UK/US applications.
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