Dear Career Advisor:

I have noticed that in your recent article, you spoke about the preparation of application documents and you used the term résumé and not CV. What is the difference, if any, between a résumé and a CV? Are they the same and is it correct for me to use them interchangeably?

Yours

Roy A

D ear Roy:

Thanks for your observation and very interesting questions. Let’s begin with your second question. While both the résumé and the curriculum vitae (CV) are job-search tools, they are not always used interchangeably. To avoid confusion as it relates to purpose and scope, as career coaches discourage the interchangeable use. Typically, the main differences between the résumé and the CV are in respect of:

• length

• content

• purpose

Though both are ‘marketing tools’, it’s best to consider the résumé as the applicant’s short advertisement, while the CV provides the full-service demonstration of experience and investment in the particular industry of interest.

The résumé is typically a concise one- to two-page summary highlighting the job seeker’s core attributes including education, experience, achievements, competencies, skills, and other relevant credentials. Its purpose is to provide a synopsis and pique the interest of the recruiter.

The CV, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive account chronicling one’s academic and professional journey. It also summarises the applicant’s training, experience, and capabilities. Unlike the résumé, it allows latitude for the inclusion of greater details on each item included (eg publication titles; conference presentations) and is a longer document, typically of more than two pages. The length of the CV is expected to be commensurate with the experience of the professional. CVs are especially suited for applications to higher-level professional positions for which academic and professional research, publication of books or research findings, demonstration of the securing of grants, fellowships and funding are valued. The CV would, therefore, be suitable for professors, highly-skilled medical professionals, and company executives, to name a few.

Whatever you do, resist the temptation to repeat or embellish details in your résumé or CV with the intent of appearing very accomplished. Keep it simple.

Sincerely,

Career Advisor

C arolyn Marie Smith is associate vice president of student services at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester. Submit your question to her at careeradvisor@ncu.edu.jm