| Is there a difference?I imagine that many | | | | focused account of your relevant skills and |
| people, on reading the title of this article, | | | | achievements. Although the exact length of a |
| laughed smugly to themselves, then wandered | | | | resume is open to debate, in general it |
| off thinking vague thoughts about the English | | | | should not exceed one page in length, and |
| and Americans having different names for the | | | | it's safer to be conventional; after all, you |
| same thing. If you were one of these people, | | | | want to get the job. It's fine to miss things |
| then don't worry - you're right! Or at least | | | | out of a resume to keep the length down; you |
| you're partially right. In general, CVs are | | | | should only include the things that are most |
| used throughout most of the world, while | | | | relevant to the position you are targeting. |
| resumes are the common format in America. | | | | Resumes also often miss out some of the more |
| However, there are significant differences | | | | personal details that CVs include, such as |
| between the two documents, and if you plan to | | | | hobbies and interests.As with CVs, resumes |
| succeed in the employment market it is | | | | are usually organised into a few essential |
| important that you are familiar with the | | | | sections. However, one key difference between |
| features and uses of both. Let's go through | | | | a CV and a resume is that resumes are focused |
| them one at a time.The differences in briefAt | | | | on your skills and accomplishments, rather |
| first glance, the differences between the two | | | | than providing an objective account of your |
| seem slight. Both consist of a structured | | | | history. As a result, resumes often feature |
| list of facts that allows you to impart | | | | aggrandising language, and tend to be more |
| relevant information about your skills and | | | | obviously self-promoting than CVs.You can |
| achievements to an employer as quickly and | | | | afford to be a bit less formal with the |
| simply as possible.Although in essence they | | | | structure of a resume than with a CV, and |
| both serve the same purpose, the main | | | | there is a wider scope for creative |
| difference between a CV and a resume is that | | | | presentation. That said, there are three main |
| a CV acts as a complete record of your | | | | formats that are generally used:Chronological |
| professional history, while a resume is a | | | | - this is the most common format, and is very |
| short, targeted list of transferable skills | | | | similar in organisation to a CV;Functional - |
| and accomplishments, intended to show how you | | | | your skills/qualifications act as a backbone, |
| can be of specific benefit to the particular | | | | around which the rest of the resume is |
| company to which you are applying.As I | | | | structured;Focused - as above, but with the |
| mentioned earlier, throughout most of the | | | | content organised in relation to the targeted |
| world, the CV is the standard format for job | | | | position.It is often better to stick to one |
| applications. However, in the US, resumes are | | | | of these tried and tested formats than to |
| more common, and CVs are reserved almost | | | | attempt to wow an employer with your own |
| completely for jobs in academia or when | | | | unique design. These have a chance of |
| applying for grants. As a result, many | | | | backfiring if your reader doesn't like them, |
| international workers possess both a CV and a | | | | so why take the risk? The only time I could |
| resume and choose between them as | | | | see the point of designing your own format is |
| necessary.In the following sections, I shall | | | | if you are entering a creative field, such as |
| discuss the features of each type of document | | | | design. What to use, and when to use itThe |
| in more detail, and close with a brief look | | | | general rule to go by here is that if you are |
| at how to decide which one is best for | | | | in America, use a resume, and if you are |
| you.Features of a CVA CV, or Curriculum | | | | anywhere else in the world, use a CV. |
| Vitae, to give it its Latin name, is an | | | | However, if you are applying for an academic |
| account of your entire education and | | | | position, or for a grant, it is better to |
| employment history. The term translates as | | | | send a CV, regardless of where you are. |
| 'course of life', and it really is that - a | | | | Things are further complicated by the rising |
| record of your working life so far. It is far | | | | popularity in the UK of short CVs, which, at |
| more detailed than a resume, from which | | | | less than two pages, are confusingly similar |
| elements are often excluded if they are | | | | to a resume.One of the main reasons to have a |
| considered irrelevant. A CV should include | | | | short CV was to stand out from the crowd, but |
| everything you've ever done, listed in | | | | almost everybody follows this model and it no |
| reverse chronological order, to make it | | | | longer has the same impact as it used to. As |
| easier to prioritise more recent information. | | | | a result, the old style of CV is making a |
| As a result, a CV is longer than a resume, | | | | comeback, for the same reasons that it |
| although two pages is the recommended | | | | disappeared in the first place. Whether you |
| length.Information in a CV is arranged | | | | choose to follow the trend, or stick with |
| according to subheadings, to make it easier | | | | convention is up to you. Personally, I have |
| for the reader to quickly skim through and | | | | both kinds, and I decide which version to |
| find the information he or she needs. | | | | send out on a per-company basis.In fact, it |
| Remember, your CV is intended to let | | | | is safer to make two versions anyway. Set |
| prospective employers find out about you in | | | | aside some time and write yourself both a CV |
| the hope that they will offer you a job, so | | | | and a resume; it doesn't take much effort, |
| it's in your interest to make it easy to | | | | and it means that you'll always have the |
| understand!The sections of a CV may include | | | | correct document to hand, whatever you are |
| the following, although many sections can be | | | | asked for. You can even hire a copywriting |
| moved up or down depending on what | | | | agency to do it for you. Copywriters write |
| information is relevant for the specific | | | | both CVs and resumes on a regular basis, and |
| job.Profile/Objectives - a short statement, | | | | will be familiar with the conventions of |
| tailored to fit the requirements of the | | | | each. If you don't want to pay for a |
| prospective employer;Education/Qualifications | | | | copywriter, have a look at some CV and resume |
| - a list of institutions and courses, with | | | | samples and use them to help you write your |
| grades awarded and dates attended;Skills | | | | own.You'd be surprised how many people don't |
| Competencies - any skills or achievements | | | | know the difference between a CV and a |
| that are relevant to the job. You can include | | | | resume. Whichever one you decide to go for, |
| most things, but be sensible - there is no | | | | follow the conventions and write to the |
| need to mention the 10m swimming badge you | | | | strengths of your chosen format, and the |
| got when you were six!Career Summary - this | | | | interviews should come flooding in. You'll |
| should be the most detailed part, it can be | | | | soon be on your way to that dream job. |
| moved higher up the document if necessary. | | | | Roberts is a Copywriter and Researcher, as |
| Each job should have a short description of | | | | well as a co-founder of Herds of Words |
| the skills you used and your achievements | | | | freelance copywriters. He can be contacted at |
| within the role. A few bullet points are | | | | Sam@herdsofwords.co.uk. |
| sufficient, with more detailed accounts of | | | | |
| more recent/relevant positions. Features of a | | | | Or come join the herd at Herds of Words - |
| resumeA resume should be a shorter, more | | | | Freelance Copywriters. |