If you’re job hunting, you’ve probably seen the terms ‘CV’ and ‘resume’ both used to refer to the document you need to apply for a role.
And they essentially mean the same thing!
‘Resume’ and ‘CV’ are both names for the career document you use to apply for a job.
The word ‘CV’ is used in the UK and Europe, while ‘resume’ is the name for most career documents in the US and Canada.
Moreover, there are some differences between CV formatting in the UK and resume formatting in the US that you should remember when writing your job application.
What is a CV?
In the UK and Europe, a CV is a job application document that outlines your relevant experience and skills to show employers why you deserve an interview.
Standard CVs are 1–2 pages long and summarise your recent work history, formal education, key skills, and any additional details relevant to the specific job. CVs for academic jobs are longer and give a detailed overview of your previous research, teaching experience, and professional memberships.
When writing a CV for UK jobs, it’s important to make your content concise and job-relevant by highlighting experience and achievements that relate closely to your target job.
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What is an American CV?
An American CV is a lengthy document used to apply for academic or research positions specifically. In this situation, you’d detail your teaching positions, publications, research, and anything relevant to your academic career.
American CVs can be well over 10 pages long — significantly longer than a standard CV for a job.
What is a resume?
A resume is the basic job application document used in North America – essentially the same thing as a ‘CV’ in most other countries. A resume outlines your most relevant skills and accomplishments, with the goal of convincing employers you’re the right person for the job.
Main formatting differences between UK CVs and US resumes
If you’re an American applying for a job in the UK or Europe (or vice versa), there are a few important formatting differences between CVs and resumes:
Page length
In the UK, job applications are slightly longer. The typical length for a CV is up to two pages long for most non-academic jobs.
If you’re writing a CV for your first job, writing a one-page CV is perfectly acceptable.
Meanwhile, in the US and Canada, it’s generally best practice to keep your resume to one page.
Page size
This is an important difference to consider if you want to download a CV template.
In the UK, Europe, and most other international regions, the correct page size for a CV is A4.
However, the preferred page size for a US resume is US letter size.
This matters because the US letter size is wider and shorter than A4. So if you download a US resume template for your CV, it will display incorrectly when you or the employer print it out on paper.
Spelling
If you’re writing a CV for jobs in the UK or Europe, use British spelling.
When writing, watch out for spelling differences between US and UK English. Here are some of the most common variations to look out for:
Difference | UK | US |
---|---|---|
'-our/-or' | colour | color |
'-ise/-ize' | organise | organize |
'-re/-er' | centre | center |
Double 'll' vs single 'l' | counsellor | counselor |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some commonly asked questions about different job application formats:
1. How can I quickly convert my resume into a CV?
To quickly convert your resume into a CV, upload your resume to an online CV maker. These tools quickly scan your document and transfer the contents to a professional CV template perfect for job opportunities in the UK and Europe.
Some also feature AI writing assistants that can help you improve your CV so you maximise your chances of getting a job interview.
2. Do I need both a resume and a CV?
No, you don’t need both a resume and a CV. The only case where you would need both is if you’re applying for jobs in both the US and the UK.
3. What is the difference between a UK CV, a US resume, and a portfolio?
UK CVs, US resumes, and portfolios differ in purpose and structure. UK CVs and US resumes are both job application documents that summarise your relevant skills and work experience. UK CVs are the preferred format in the UK and Europe, while the US resume is standard in the US and Canada.
Portfolios serve a completely different purpose. Their aim is to show tangible examples of your work. Portfolios are common in creative and technical fields, and may feature visuals, projects, or case studies to demonstrate relevant skills.
4. What does ‘CV’ stand for?
CV stands for ‘Curriculum Vitae,’ which means ‘course of life’ in Latin. You don’t need to write out ‘curriculum vitae’ on your CV, though — the abbreviation is fine.