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