September 24, 2025

What is the Difference between CV and Resume

Many candidates preparing for placements or job applications often wonder: “Are CV and resume the same?” This confusion led job seekers to face rejection or miss valuable opportunities. Especially, freshers who don’t even know that there is a difference between CV and resume, submit lengthy Curriculum Vitae (CVs) filled with unnecessary details, when recruiters actually need a short resume that presents only relevant skills and achievements. The primary difference between a CV and a resume lies in their length, purpose, level of detail, and usage across various regions.

By understanding CV and resume difference better, you can easily avoid common mistakes and improve your chances of getting shortlisted. This guide will clear all your doubts with a simple explanation, 10 differences between CV and resume, and even a CV vs resume sample for clarity.

Check out a blog ‘How to Build a Winning UI/UX Designer Resume’ to see exactly how to structure your resume for maximum impact, even if you’re fresh out of college.

What is a CV?

CVs are the default hiring document in professional settings across Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia. Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a career timeline that goes beyond listing skills.

It presents the information where you’ve worked, what you’ve achieved, studied, researched, or published. This information makes them longer and more detailed than resumes, often running into several pages.

What is a Resume?

Resumes serve the standard requirement for job applications, especially for freshers, entry-level positions, and private companies in India and most corporate sectors globally.

Recruiters don’t want to see every exam you’ve passed since school; they just want to know why you’re the right fit for their particular role. That’s why resumes are created short, targeted, and customizable to the specific job requirements.

Want to create a job-winning resume in just a few minutes? Check out the list of the best free online resume builders that can save you time.

10 Differences between CV and Resume

Here’s CV vs resume sample comparison table that answers ‘what is the difference between CV and resume?’ that every fresher must know:

Aspect	CV (Curriculam Vitae)	Resume
Length	2-10+ pages	1-2 pages
Content Depth	Academic history, research, publications, conference, awards	Relevant skills, experience, achievements, job impact
Focus	Education, research, detailed roles	Skills, achievements, job relevance
Purpose	To present the full career journey	To highlight job-specific strengths
Customization	Rarely customized	Highly customized per job
Usage By Region	Europe, South Africa, Worldwide	US, Canada, India, Corporate Sectors
Review Time	Longer Review	6-7 seconds scan by recruiters
Timeframe Covered	Entire Career	Last 5 - 10 Years
Design	Simple, text-heavy	Modern, ATS friendly
Detail Level	Exhaustive	Concise

This table makes the CV or resume difference very clear for freshers.

What does a CV and a Resume Look Like

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Tips for Writing a Strong CV or Resume

• Keep formatting clean and professional.
• Highlight achievements with quantifiable results.
• Use strong action verbs (e.g., led, created, developed).
• Customize for each job application.
• Avoid spelling and grammatical mistakes.
• Ensure ATS (Applicant Tracking System) compatibility.
• Use bullet points for readability.
• Highlight achievements with numbers (e.g., “Improved sales by 20%”).
• Use keywords from the job description.

Want detailed role-specific tips? Read 10 Useful Tips to Build Your Professional Data Engineer Resume for expert guidance on content, layout, and what recruiters look for.

Choose the Right Document for Your Career

If you’re applying for placements, fresher jobs, or corporate roles, choose a resume that is short, tailored, and ATS-friendly. If you’re aiming for research, higher studies, or academic positions abroad, prepare a CV.

With HCL GUVI’s free Resume Builder, you can create a job-ready resume in minutes and explore resume tips for placements to increase your chances of landing your dream job role.

To practice and prepare effectively, you can explore the best websites for placement papers that offer a wide range of solved papers and mock tests

Final Words

Your talent is valuable, but it needs the right presentation. A resume gets you noticed in seconds; a CV builds your academic credibility over time.

Knowing CV and resume differences, when to use a CV, and when to use a resume is a career-defining skill. Use the right one at the right time, and you’ll always stay ahead in the job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between CV and resume?

A CV is detailed and comprehensive, while a resume is concise and job-focused.

2. Which is more detailed, a CV or a resume?

A CV is more detailed and can run into several pages, unlike a resume.

3. When should you use a CV instead of a resume?

Use a CV for academic, research, or international job applications.

4. Do companies prefer resumes over CVs in India?

Yes, in India, resumes are the standard for placements and corporate jobs.

5. Should freshers stick to resumes instead of CVs for placements?

Yes, resumes are preferred as they highlight skills and achievements in a concise/short format.

6. Are CVs and resumes used differently across countries?

Yes, CVs are most common in Europe and academia, while resumes are standard in India, the US, and Canada.

7. How can HCL GUVI help in creating an effective resume?

HCL GUVI has free tools and expert guidance to help you create an ATS-friendly, professional resume in minutes.