CV Vs Resume Dilemma

He looked at the email he just received, wondering what could be wrong.

He had sent a very detailed document explaining his skills, expertise, and strengths yet he kept receiving rejection emails as breakfast.

His previous company had shut down months ago. Rent was almost due. Bills kept pilling...

He had been surviving on his savings but had reached his limit. Something had to be done, really fast.

He was scrolling through LinkedIn tiredly and wishing for a miracle when he stumbled upon my post about resume writing. He was about to scroll past, but one statement stopped him in his tracks:

"Being oblivious to the difference between a resume and a CV might cost you that job."

He froze. What exactly was the difference?

A resume is a concise document tailored to a specific job, focusing on skills and achievements, while a CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a detailed document outlining both academic and professional history.

But his resume was filled with unnecessary information.

At this point, he was already sweating. Had he wasted months out of ignorance?

Let's dive deeper into when to Use a CV vs. a Resume

Knowing when to use a CV or a resume can make all the difference in your job search. Here's how to determine which one is appropriate:

? Use a Resume when applying for:

• Positions that require a quick overview of your skills and achievements.
• Corporate roles in business, tech, marketing, finance, etc.
• Companies that specifically ask for a resume.

Resumes are also commonly used in the United States and Canada for job applications in most fields.

A resume should be tailored to each job application, highlighting the most relevant experience. It is usually one to two pages long and focuses on quantifiable accomplishments.

? Use a CV when applying for:

• Academic, research, or medical positions.
• Grants, fellowships, scholarships, or university faculty roles.
• International jobs, especially in Europe, where CVs are preferred.

A CV is comprehensive and can be multiple pages long. It details education, research, publications, presentations, and professional history.

CVs are commonly used in Europe and some other regions for job applications.

In summary, choose the format that best aligns with your career goals and expectations of your target industry.

After reading my post, he revised his resume, removed unnecessary details, and focused on his key skills and achievements.

One month later, he aced his next job application and landed a role.

Now, go back and review your resume. Is it really a resume?

Is it tailored to the job you're seeking?

Let's chat in the comments!

Jenefa??

Career Oven