CV vs Resume: What's the Difference and When to Use Each in 2026

You're applying for a job and the posting says "submit your CV." You have a resume. Are they the same thing? Can you just send your resume?

The short answer: It depends where you are and what industry you're in.

The confusion is real:

• 42% of job seekers use "CV" and "resume" interchangeably
• 67% of US-based candidates have never written a CV
• Submitting the wrong document can disqualify you before you're considered

This guide breaks down exactly what CVs and resumes are, when to use each, and how to format them correctly.

CV vs Resume: The Quick Answer

The confusion: In the US, "CV" and "resume" are different documents. Outside the US, "CV" is what Americans call a "resume."

What is a Resume?

A resume is a brief (1-2 page) document highlighting your most relevant skills and experience for a specific job.

Key characteristics:

• Length: 1 page (0-10 years experience), 2 pages (10+ years)
• Focus: Tailored to the specific job you're applying for
• Content: Most relevant achievements, not your entire career
• Customization: Changed for every application
• Used for: Corporate jobs, startups, most business roles in the US

When to use a resume:

• Applying for jobs in the US private sector
• Tech, marketing, sales, finance, consulting roles
• Any non-academic position
• When the job posting asks for a "resume"

Example resume structure:

CONTACT INFORMATION
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY (2-3 sentences)
WORK EXPERIENCE (3-5 most relevant roles)
  • 3-5 achievement bullets per role
EDUCATION
SKILLS

What is a CV (Curriculum Vitae)?

A CV is a comprehensive document detailing your entire academic and professional history.

CV in the United States

Used exclusively for:

• Academic positions (professor, researcher, postdoc)
• Medical positions (physician, surgeon)
• Scientific research roles
• Grants and fellowships
• International academic positions

Length: 2-10+ pages (grows throughout your career)

Content includes:

• Complete education history (all degrees, institutions)
• All publications and research
• All presentations and conferences
• Teaching experience
• Grants and funding received
• Professional memberships
• Awards and honors
• Complete work history

Key difference from resume: You never remove anything from a CV. It's a complete, chronological record of your academic/research career.

CV in Europe, UK, Asia, Africa, and Middle East

Here's the twist: In most countries outside the US, "CV" means what Americans call a "resume."

Used for: All job applications (corporate, startup, government, etc.)

Length: 2-4 pages (slightly longer than US resumes)

Content: Similar to US resume but includes:

• Date of birth (in some countries)
• Nationality (in some countries)
• Photo (required in some countries, never in US)
• More detailed work history
• Sometimes: marital status, driver's license

Example international CV structure:

PERSONAL INFORMATION (name, contact, sometimes photo)
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
WORK EXPERIENCE (more detailed than US resume)
EDUCATION
SKILLS
LANGUAGES
REFERENCES (sometimes included)

When to Use a Resume vs CV: Decision Tree

Are you in the United States?

YES → Corporate/Business Job?

• YES → Use a Resume
• NO → Academic/Medical/Research? → Use a CV

NO → Outside the US?

• Use a CV (but it's formatted like a US resume, just called a CV)

Specific Scenarios

Scenario 1: Applying for marketing job in New York → Resume (1-2 pages, tailored to job)

Scenario 2: Applying for professorship at US university → CV (comprehensive academic history, 5+ pages)

Scenario 3: Applying for tech job in London → CV (but formatted like US resume, 2 pages, called "CV")

Scenario 4: Applying for research position in Germany → CV (detailed, may include photo, 2-3 pages)

Scenario 5: Applying for medical residency in US → CV (complete education, publications, rotations)

Scenario 6: US job posting says "submit CV" → Likely means resume (unless academic institution) → Best practice: Submit 2-page resume, call it "CV" in filename

Resume vs CV: Detailed Comparison

Resume: Deep Dive

Purpose: Market yourself for a specific role

Strategy: Quality over quantity

• Include only experience relevant to target job
• Emphasize achievements, not responsibilities
• Quantify results with metrics
• Tailor keywords to job description

Structure:

SARAH MARTINEZ
New York, NY | sarah.martinez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/sarahmartinez

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Product Manager with 6+ years launching B2B SaaS products from $0 to $5M ARR.
Led cross-functional teams to deliver 20+ features with 90%+ customer
satisfaction. Expertise in roadmap development, user research, and data-driven
prioritization.

EXPERIENCE

SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER | TechCorp | New York, NY | 2021-Present
• Launched 3 products generating $12M combined ARR, exceeding targets by 35%
• Led team of 15 (engineering, design, marketing) through agile development
• Increased user retention from 68% to 84% through feature optimization

PRODUCT MANAGER | StartupCo | Austin, TX | 2019-2021
• Built MVP and scaled to 50K users in 18 months
• Reduced churn by 28% through data-driven product improvements

EDUCATION
MBA | NYU Stern School of Business | 2019
BS in Computer Science | University of Texas | 2017

SKILLS
Product: JIRA, Mixpanel, A/B Testing, User Research, Roadmapping
Technical: SQL, Python, API Design, Agile/Scrum

Length: 1 page (473 words in example above)

Best for: Getting past ATS, making quick impression on recruiters

CV (US Academic): Deep Dive

Purpose: Demonstrate comprehensive academic qualifications

Strategy: Completeness and detail

• Include everything (nothing is too small)
• Full publication list
• All conference presentations
• Complete teaching history
• All grants, even small ones

Structure:

DR. JAMES ANDERSON
Department of Biology | University of California, Berkeley
james.anderson@berkeley.edu | (555) 123-4567

EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Molecular Biology | Stanford University | 2018
  Dissertation: "CRISPR-Cas9 Applications in Genetic Therapy"
  Advisor: Dr. Jennifer Smith
M.S. in Biology | University of Michigan | 2014
B.S. in Biochemistry | Cornell University | 2012
  Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
Assistant Professor | UC Berkeley | 2020-Present
  Department of Molecular and Cell Biology
Postdoctoral Research Fellow | MIT | 2018-2020
  Laboratory of Dr. Robert Johnson

PUBLICATIONS (15 total, 5 selected)
Anderson, J., Smith, K., & Lee, M. (2024). "Novel CRISPR Applications..."
  Nature Genetics, 56(3), 234-247. (IF: 31.6)
Anderson, J., & Brown, T. (2023). "Gene Editing in Stem Cells..."
  Cell, 185(8), 1456-1470. (IF: 66.8)
[13 more publications listed with full citations]

PRESENTATIONS
"CRISPR-Cas9 in Clinical Settings" | Genetics Society of America
  Annual Meeting | Seattle, WA | July 2024 (Invited Talk)
"Gene Therapy Applications" | American Association for Cancer Research
  Conference | San Francisco, CA | April 2024 (Poster)
[20+ more presentations listed]

GRANTS AND FUNDING
NIH R01 Grant ($1.2M, 2023-2028) - Principal Investigator
  "Investigating Gene Editing Mechanisms in Cancer Cells"
NSF CAREER Award ($500K, 2022-2027) - Principal Investigator
[5 more grants listed]

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Molecular Biology (MCELLBI 100) | UC Berkeley | Fall 2020-Present
  Undergraduate course, 150 students, Ratings: 4.8/5.0
Introduction to Genetics (MCELLBI 50) | UC Berkeley | Spring 2021-Present
[Additional courses listed]

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Reviewer: Nature, Cell, Science, PNAS
Member: Genetics Society of America, AAAS
Committee: Graduate Admissions (2022-Present)

AWARDS AND HONORS
Sloan Research Fellowship | 2023
Pew Scholar in Biomedical Sciences | 2021
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship | 2015-2018

Length: 4+ pages (and grows throughout career)

Best for: Academic hiring committees who want comprehensive credentials

CV (International): Deep Dive

Purpose: Apply for jobs outside the US

Strategy: More detailed than US resume, less comprehensive than US academic CV

• Include all relevant work experience
• More detailed than US resume bullets
• May include personal information (country-dependent)

Structure:

PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name: Emma Thompson
Address: London, UK
Phone: +44 20 1234 5678
Email: emma.thompson@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emmathompson
Date of Birth: 15 March 1992
Nationality: British

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Digital Marketing Manager with 7 years' experience driving growth for B2B
SaaS companies across UK and European markets. Proven track record of
increasing organic traffic by 400%+ and reducing CAC by 50% through
data-driven strategies. Expertise in SEO, content marketing, and marketing
automation.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SENIOR DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER
TechGrowth Ltd | London, UK | January 2021 - Present

Key Responsibilities:
• Led digital marketing strategy for B2B SaaS product targeting enterprise
  segment across UK, Germany, and France
• Managed team of 5 marketing specialists (2 content, 2 paid media, 1 SEO)
• Owned £400K annual marketing budget across all digital channels
• Reported directly to VP of Marketing and CMO

Key Achievements:
• Grew organic traffic from 60K to 280K monthly visitors through
  comprehensive SEO strategy and content marketing program
• Reduced customer acquisition cost from £320 to £145 while maintaining
  lead quality and conversion rates
• Launched account-based marketing initiative generating £2.8M pipeline
• Implemented HubSpot marketing automation, improving lead-to-customer
  conversion by 42%

DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER
StartupHub | Manchester, UK | June 2018 - December 2020
[Similar detailed structure]

MARKETING EXECUTIVE
AgencyPro | London, UK | July 2016 - May 2018
[Similar detailed structure]

EDUCATION

Master of Science (MSc) in Digital Marketing
University of Manchester | 2015-2016 | Merit

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Business Management
University of Bristol | 2011-2015 | 2:1 (Second Class Honours, Upper Division)

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification | 2023
• HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification | 2022
• Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Level 6 Diploma | 2020

SKILLS
Marketing: SEO, SEM, Content Marketing, Marketing Automation, ABM
Tools: HubSpot, Google Analytics, SEMrush, Salesforce, Tableau
Technical: HTML/CSS, SQL (basic), Google Tag Manager

LANGUAGES
• English (Native)
• French (Fluent - DELF B2)
• Spanish (Intermediate)

REFERENCES
Available upon request

Length: 2-3 pages

Best for: International job applications outside academia

How to Convert Between Resume and CV

Resume → Academic CV

Add:

• Complete publication list (with full citations)
• All conference presentations and posters
• Teaching experience (course names, enrollment, ratings)
• Grant history (funding source, amount, dates)
• Professional service (reviewer roles, committees)
• Complete education (including dissertation title, advisor)
• Professional memberships
• Awards and honors

Remove:

• Professional summary (optional in CVs)
• Brevity (expand everything with full details)

Result: 4-10+ pages

Resume → International CV

Add:

• More detailed job descriptions
• Personal information (if required by country)
• References section (sometimes)
• More work history (don't limit to recent/relevant)
• Languages section
• Hobbies/interests (some countries)

Keep similar:

• Achievement-focused bullets
• Quantified results
• Tailoring to job

Result: 2-3 pages

CV → Resume

Remove:

• Older, less relevant experience
• Comprehensive publication lists (keep 3-5 most relevant)
• All presentations (keep most impressive)
• Personal information
• References

Condense:

• Job descriptions (keep only key achievements)
• Education (just degree, school, year)
• Awards (only most significant)

Result: 1-2 pages

Country-Specific CV Requirements

United Kingdom

• Document name: CV
• Length: 2 pages
• Photo: Not required (can lead to discrimination concerns)
• Personal info: Name, contact only
• References: "Available upon request" or include 2 references

Germany

• Document name: Lebenslauf
• Length: 2-3 pages
• Photo: Often expected (professional headshot)
• Personal info: Date of birth, nationality common
• Format: Reverse chronological, very detailed
• Documents: Often submitted with certificates/transcripts

France

• Document name: CV
• Length: 1-2 pages
• Photo: Common (top of page)
• Personal info: Age, marital status sometimes included
• Format: Can be more creative/designed
• Cover letter: Always required ("lettre de motivation")

Australia/New Zealand

• Document name: CV or Resume (both used)
• Length: 2-4 pages
• Photo: Not required
• Personal info: Contact info only
• References: Usually 2-3 included on document

China/Japan/South Korea

• Document name: CV or 履歴書 (rirekisho in Japan)
• Length: 1-2 pages
• Photo: Required (professional)
• Personal info: Age, gender, marital status often included
• Format: Sometimes standardized forms
• Note: May need both English and local language versions

Middle East

• Document name: CV
• Length: 2-3 pages
• Photo: Often included
• Personal info: Nationality, visa status important
• References: Include contact information

CV and Resume Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Using the Wrong Document

The error: Sending a resume when a comprehensive CV is needed (or vice versa).

Example: Applying for professor position with 2-page resume instead of comprehensive CV showing all publications.

Fix: Read job posting carefully. When in doubt:

• Academic/medical/research US position → CV
• Everything else in US → Resume
• International position → CV (formatted like US resume)

Mistake #2: Resume Longer Than 2 Pages

The error: Trying to include everything, making resume 3-4 pages.

Why it fails: Recruiters won't read past page 2. Shows you can't prioritize.

Fix: Be ruthless. Include only:

• Recent experience (last 10-15 years)
• Relevant achievements
• Skills matching the job
• Most impressive education/certifications

Mistake #3: Academic CV Missing Key Sections

The error: Treating academic CV like a resume, leaving out publications or presentations.

Why it fails: Academic hiring committees expect comprehensive documentation.

Fix: Include everything:

• All publications (with full citations)
• All presentations (invited, contributed, posters)
• Complete teaching record
• All grants applied for (funded and unfunded)

Mistake #4: International CV with US-Only Format

The error: Sending US-style 1-page resume for European job.

Why it fails: Looks incomplete or unprofessional in context.

Fix: Research country norms:

• Check if photo is expected
• Verify page length expectations
• Include references if customary
• Add language proficiency

Mistake #5: Including Irrelevant Information

Resume error: Including high school info when you have a graduate degree

CV error: Including hobbies in academic CV

Fix:

• Resume: Only recent, relevant information
• Academic CV: Professional information only
• International CV: Check country expectations

Resume and CV Templates

Where to Get Templates

For US Resumes:

• Pronto - ATS-optimized templates
• Google Docs resume templates (free, simple)
• Canva (modern designs)
• Microsoft Word templates

For Academic CVs:

• Overleaf (LaTeX templates - very professional)
• University career center templates
• Your department's CV examples

For International CVs:

• Europass (standard EU format)
• Country-specific job boards
• Local examples from target country

Template Warning

Don't: Download overly designed templates with graphics, colors, and complex layouts.

Why: ATS systems can't parse them, and many recruiters find them unprofessional.

Do: Use simple, clean templates with:

• Standard fonts
• Clear section headers
• Minimal design elements
• Easy-to-read formatting

Tools to Build Your Resume or CV

Resume Tools

1. Pronto

• Try it here
• ATS optimization
• Job-specific tailoring
• AI-powered suggestions
• Cover letter generation

2. Google Docs

• Free templates
• Cloud-based
• Easy collaboration
• Simple export to PDF

3. Canva

• Beautiful templates
• Modern designs
• Free and paid options
• Warning: Check ATS compatibility

CV Tools (Academic)

1. Overleaf

• LaTeX-based (very professional)
• Academic CV templates
• Version control
• Used widely in academia

2. Word/Google Docs

• Simple formatting
• Easy to update
• Widely accepted

CV Tools (International)

1. Europass

• Standard EU format
• Accepted across Europe
• Free online builder
• Includes language proficiency framework

2. Pronto

• Customize for any country
• ATS-optimized
• International format options

The Bottom Line

In the United States:

• Resume: 1-2 pages for corporate/business jobs
• CV: 4-10+ pages for academic/medical/research positions

Outside the United States:

• CV: 2-4 pages for all job applications (it's their word for "resume")

When job posting says "CV":

• US academic role → Comprehensive CV
• US corporate role → Probably means resume (submit 2-page resume)
• International role → CV formatted like detailed resume

Most important: Match your document to expectations:

• Right length for context
• Right content for role
• Right format for country

FAQ: CV vs Resume

Q: Can I use my resume instead of a CV? A: Only if applying for corporate jobs in the US. For academic positions or international roles, you need a proper CV.

Q: How long should my CV be? A: US academic: 4-10+ pages. International: 2-4 pages.

Q: Do I need a photo on my CV? A: Never in the US. Common in Europe, Asia, and Middle East. Check country norms.

Q: What if I'm a recent grad applying for academic jobs? A: Your CV will be shorter (2-4 pages) but should still include all publications, presentations, and teaching experience.

Q: Should I include references on my CV? A: US academic: "Available upon request" or provide when asked. International: Sometimes expected on the document itself.

Q: Can I have both a resume and CV? A: Yes! Maintain both if you're applying to different types of roles.

Next Steps

Ready to create your resume or CV?

1. Build an optimized resume with Pronto - ATS-friendly templates and AI-powered suggestions
2. Read our resume formatting guide - Master structure and best practices
3. Check out ATS optimization tips - Ensure your resume passes automated screening
4. Learn AI resume tips - Use AI tools effectively without sounding generic

Pronto helps you create both resumes and CVs optimized for your target role and location. Get instant feedback on format, content, and ATS compatibility.