The Core Difference
The terms “CV” and “resume” mean different things depending on where you’re applying for jobs. Understanding regional expectations is essential for international job searches.
| Region | Document Name | Typical Length |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Resume (corporate) / CV (academic) | 1-2 pages / unlimited |
| United Kingdom | CV | 2 pages |
| Europe (general) | CV | 2 pages |
| Australia/NZ | CV or Resume (interchangeable) | 2-3 pages |
| Asia | CV or Resume (varies by country) | 1-2 pages |
United States: Resume vs CV
In America, these are two distinct documents:
American Resume
- Purpose: Summary for corporate, business, and most professional jobs
- Length: 1-2 pages strictly
- Content: Relevant work experience, skills, education highlights
- Format: Tailored to each job application
- Personal info: No photo, age, or marital status
American CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- Purpose: Comprehensive record for academic, scientific, research, and medical positions
- Length: No limit—grows throughout career (often 5-20+ pages)
- Content: Complete publication list, research, grants, teaching, presentations, honors
- Format: Chronological, exhaustive documentation
- When used: Universities, research institutions, medical residencies, grant applications
Key point: If a US job posting asks for a “CV,” determine if it’s an academic role (true CV) or if they’re using the term loosely (resume).
United Kingdom: CV Standard
In Britain, “CV” is the standard term for what Americans call a resume:
British CV
- Purpose: All job applications, from entry-level to executive
- Length: 2 pages (strictly observed)
- Content: Personal profile, work history, education, skills
- Format: Reverse chronological, tailored to role
- Personal info: Name, contact details, sometimes nationality
- Photo: Generally not included (though not prohibited)
The term “resume” is rarely used in UK job markets. British employers expect a CV for all applications.
UK CV Sections (Typical Order)
- Contact Information
- Personal Profile/Summary
- Key Skills
- Work Experience
- Education
- Additional Information (languages, certifications)
- References (or “Available on request”)
European Union: Country Variations
While “CV” is standard across Europe, expectations vary by country:
Germany (Lebenslauf)
- Photo expected (professional headshot)
- Personal details often included (date of birth, nationality)
- 1-2 pages
- Formal structure with clear sections
- Handwritten signature sometimes included (declining practice)
France (CV)
- Photo commonly expected
- Personal details may include age, nationality
- 1 page preferred, 2 maximum
- Emphasis on education and grandes écoles
Netherlands
- Photo increasingly optional
- Direct, achievement-focused content
- 1-2 pages
- Less formal than German CVs
Nordic Countries
- Photo optional
- Emphasis on work-life balance values
- 1-2 pages
- References important
Europass CV
The EU offers a standardized Europass CV format accepted across member states. While useful for mobility, many recruiters prefer standard CVs over the Europass template.
Content Comparison
What to Include Everywhere
- Contact information
- Work experience (reverse chronological)
- Education
- Relevant skills
- Professional summary or objective
Regional Differences
| Element | US Resume | UK CV | EU CV (varies) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | Never | Rarely | Often expected |
| Date of birth | Never | Rarely | Sometimes |
| Nationality | Never | Optional | Sometimes |
| Marital status | Never | Never | Rarely |
| References | Not included | ”Available on request” | Varies |
| Personal interests | Only if relevant | Brief section common | Common |
Length Guidelines
US Resume
- Entry-level: 1 page
- Mid-career: 1-2 pages (2 pages acceptable with 10+ years experience)
- Senior executive: 2 pages maximum
US Academic CV
- Graduate student: 2-4 pages
- Early career academic: 5-10 pages
- Established professor: 10-20+ pages
UK/European CV
- All levels: 2 pages maximum
- Second page should be at least half full
- 1 page acceptable for graduates with limited experience
Formatting Differences
US Resume
- Single-column layout preferred
- Minimal personal information
- Achievement-focused bullet points
- Tailored to each application
- ATS optimization critical
UK CV
- Can be slightly more creative in design
- Personal profile section common
- More flexibility in structure
- Often includes interests/hobbies section
- ATS increasingly important
European CV
- Varies significantly by country
- May require photo and personal details
- Often more formal and structured
- Company logos sometimes included
- Less standardized than US resumes
Academic CV Structure (US)
For academic positions in the US, include:
- Contact Information
- Education (PhD first)
- Dissertation/Thesis Title
- Research Interests
- Publications (peer-reviewed, books, chapters)
- Presentations (conferences, invited talks)
- Teaching Experience
- Grants and Fellowships
- Awards and Honors
- Professional Service (committees, reviewing)
- Professional Memberships
- References
This document grows throughout an academic career. There is no length limit—comprehensiveness is expected.
Converting Between Formats
Resume to UK CV
- Expand to 2 full pages
- Add personal profile section
- Include interests/hobbies briefly
- Add “References available on request”
- Remove objective statement (if present)
UK CV to US Resume
- Condense to 1-2 pages
- Remove any personal details (age, photo, nationality)
- Focus on achievements over responsibilities
- Quantify accomplishments with metrics
- Remove references section
- Consider adding skills section
Corporate Resume to Academic CV
- Expand education section (include thesis, advisor)
- Add publications and research
- Include teaching and mentorship
- Add conference presentations
- List grants and fellowships
- Include professional service
- No length restriction
Common Mistakes
Using the Wrong Document
- Submitting a US resume for UK job (too brief)
- Submitting academic CV for corporate US role (too long)
- Including photo for US/UK applications (unnecessary/problematic)
Ignoring Regional Norms
- Omitting photo for German application (may be expected)
- Including personal details for US application (inappropriate)
- Exceeding 2 pages for UK CV (too long)
Poor Localization
- Using American English for UK applications (“resume” instead of “CV”)
- Using British English for US applications (“colour” vs “color”)
- Incorrect date formats (MM/DD/YYYY vs DD/MM/YYYY)
Check Your Document
Whether you’re preparing a CV or resume, ensure it meets the expectations of your target market. Use our CV checker or resume checker to verify your document is properly formatted and optimized for the region you’re applying in.