Basics
CV vs Resume: What’s the Difference?
In most of the world, a CV and a resume are the same thing: a one-to-two-page summary of your experience, education and skills for job applications. The difference is mainly regional — “CV” is used in the UK, Ireland, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, while “resume” is used in the US and Canada, where “CV” usually means a longer academic document.
CV vs resume at a glance
| CV (UK & most countries) | Resume (US & Canada) | Academic CV (US & Canada) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used for | Most job applications | Most job applications | Academic, research and medical roles |
| Length | 1–2 pages | 1 page (2 for senior roles) | No limit — often several pages |
| Content | Summary, experience, education, skills | Summary, experience, education, skills | Full career history, publications, research, teaching, grants |
| Tailored to each job? | Yes | Yes | Less so — it is a complete record |
Which one should you use?
- UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand: call it a CV. Keep it to two pages.
- United States and Canada: call it a resume and aim for one page, unless you are applying for an academic or research job.
- Europe: CV is the standard term. Some countries also use the Europass CV format, but a clean, modern CV is widely accepted.
- Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar): CV is the usual term. Nationality, visa status and a photo are often included.
- Pakistan, India, Bangladesh: both words are used. “CV” and “resume” generally mean the same document; some people use “biodata” for a longer personal format, which is less common for professional jobs.
Simple rule: use the word the job advert uses. If it asks for a resume, send a resume; if it asks for a CV, send a CV. The content will be almost identical.
Small differences worth knowing
Spelling and wording
Match the spelling of the country you are applying in — “organised” and “programme” for the UK, “organized” and “program” for the US.
Personal details
US and UK employers generally prefer you leave out your photo, date of birth and marital status. In the Middle East and parts of Asia these details are more common. Follow local norms.
Paper size
The US and Canada use Letter size; almost everywhere else uses A4. If you are applying in the US from abroad, check your PDF prints correctly on Letter paper.
FAQ
Is a CV longer than a resume?
Only when “CV” means an academic CV in the US or Canada. A standard UK-style CV is one to two pages — about the same as a resume.
Can I use the same document for UK and US jobs?
Mostly, yes. Shorten it to one page for US roles if you can, switch to US spelling, use Letter paper size, and call it a resume.
Does WiseCV make CVs or resumes?
Both — they are the same document. WiseCV’s templates work for UK-style CVs and US-style resumes, and you can download them as a PDF.