A questio about the real world

[Koa]

I was wondering with a friend and I got really curious because it's not the first time I wonder...
What's the difference between a CV and a resume? Is it too different ways of calling the same thing? On the two sides of the Atlantic Pond? Or is resume something longer, as the word makes me somehow think?

[ShoutGrace]

I always thought that a C.V. - curriculum vitae, that is - was more geared toward scholastic and academic achievements (i.e. you wouldn't place job experience there). However, it appears as if it may in fact be most similar to a résumé.

I can't tell that there is any difference. Looking up sample C.V.'s and résumés gives me the impression that they are synonymous terms.

[Logos]

Hey Koa :wave: My understanding is they're basically interchangeable depending on which country, like Canada, but the term curriculum vitæ is more often used by 'professional' types, someone with advanced degree of education and work exp. (doctor, lawyer, professor etc.) and can be longer than a résumé. The term résumé is still used by the above types of people, but it can be a shorter document, maybe one or two pages, and often written with a specific job in mind.

[Madhuri]

I think both are the same. Here in India, some people refer to it as CV and some resume, and they mean the same thing, that is, more in terms of information providing, and is not very descriptive, but conscise and precise.

[Petrarch's Love]

I've had the occasion to write both a CV and a resume. A CV is more detailed and usually longer than a resume. At least here in the U.S., the CV is usually used in academic or research related jobs, because it provides a more in depth account of your life's work, research, publication, etc. and grows longer as you gain more experience (hence the term curriculum vitae, from the latin meaning "course of life"). A resume, on the other hand is not usually more than two pages, and is mainly supposed to summarize job experience.

[Koa]

Hmm... In Italy we just say curriculum (of course meaning curriculum vitae, which is the more formal and complete way of naming it) and it has both your school and work experience... at least at a general level when looking for a random job, I don't know if for more nerdy things it gets more specialised.
And I've always heard it shouldn't really be more than two pages, so Petrarch's last remark is strange to me ;)

Here in the UK I'm finding it hard to write a CV because it seems to need so many more details of cool things that I've never done... I'll go to the career office of the Uni where they help you, but uff I'm shy :blush:

[subterranean]

I've had the occasion to write both a CV and a resume. A CV is more detailed and usually longer than a resume. At least here in the U.S., the CV is usually used in academic or research related jobs, because it provides a more in depth account of your life's work, research, publication, etc. and grows longer as you gain more experience (hence the term curriculum vitae, from the latin meaning "course of life"). A resume, on the other hand is not usually more than two pages, and is mainly supposed to summarize job experience.

I'll go with Petrarch's in this one. In a CV you have to give pretty detail information. For eaxample, you need to list down your responsibilities/job desk related to your job or what trainings you had and what kind of trainings they are. Sometimes you also need to put your carreer objective in the CV. While in Resume you only need to list down and don't need to explain the details. I prefer to use CV because I can "brag" more with the experiences and achievements I have:).

[Koa]

I'll go with Petrarch's in this one. In a CV you have to give pretty detail information. For eaxample, you need to list down your responsibilities/job desk related to your job or what trainings you had and what kind of trainings they are. Sometimes you also need to put your carreer objective in the CV. While in Resume you only need to list down and don't need to explain the details. I prefer to use CV because I can "brag" more with the experiences and achievements I have:).

I see. We seem to tend to go with the short form in Italy, I never had to list responsibilities and objectives and such (well not that I've ever had a really serious job as I've been mostly a student all my life :blush:), and I don't know where to start since I've hardly ever had responsibilities or things that can make me look cool :rolleyes: