Over the course of my work I have found that many applicants don’t know there is a difference between a curriculum vitae and a resume and tend to use the terms interchangeably. While both serve similar purposes, there are distinctions between the two and understanding these differences can help you to present your qualifications and experiences in the most appropriate way depending on the job or purpose.
So, let me break down the main differences between a resume and curriculum vitae. These include their length, content, format, and purpose. I will also explain when you should use one over the other, with real-life examples from the Nigerian context.
- Length and Detail
A resume is typically a brief, concise document, ideally no longer than one to two pages. It is designed to give a snapshot of your experience, education, skills, and qualifications. Resumes are meant to be quick reads for hiring managers who want to get a sense of your background in a short amount of time. In Nigeria, where employers can receive literally thousands of applications for a single position, your resume needs to be punchy and direct. Only include information that is most relevant for the job you are applying for.
A CV on the other hand, is a more detailed document, often much longer than a resume. It can even go up to ten pages for academic roles, research positions or people with extensive work experience. It provides a comprehensive view of your entire career, including your education, work experience, publications, research, presentations, awards, and even community service. Think of it as a living document that grows as your career progresses.
For example, if you are applying for a position as a university lecturer or a research fellow, a CV would be expected because the hiring committee will want to see your full academic record, research contributions, and professional development.
In summary, resumes are brief and to the point, while CVs are comprehensive and detailed.
- Purpose and Usage
A resume is used primarily for job applications in non-academic and non-research fields. In Nigeria, although the term CV is more generally used, if you are applying for a job in the corporate world a resume would serve the purpose better. The resume shows the employer how your specific skills and experiences align with the job requirements. Resumes are highly targeted and often customized for each job. For instance, you would emphasize your communication skills, sales experience, and leadership abilities if you were applying for a sales role.
On the flipside, a CV is used mostly in academic, or research-focused professions. It is also the preferred document for grant applications, fellowships, scholarships etc. If you are seeking a role in a university, a research institution, or if you’re applying for academic grants, then a CV is the document you need. It helps showcase your entire career trajectory, your contributions to the field, and your potential for future scholarly or research work.
In Nigeria, CVs are also commonly requested when applying for jobs in government sectors, NGOs, and some international organizations. For example, when applying for a role with a development agency like the United Nations or the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, you will likely be asked to submit a CV. At a point in my career I was approached about a possible appointment in my state. Not only did they want a full CV, they also wanted me to indicate my marital status and Local Government Area. Most organizations will not be needing that level of detail.
- Content Focus
A resume focuses primarily on work experience and skills. The goal is to present your professional journey in a way that aligns with the needs of the employer. Your resume should include sections like Work Experience, Skills, Education, and possibly Certifications or Professional Affiliations. Importantly, you should tailor the content to each specific job application, highlighting relevant experiences and skills that match the job description.
Say for instance you’re applying for a job as a digital marketer in Lagos. Your resume should highlight your SEO skills, social media management, and experience with paid advertising campaigns. If you have done freelance digital marketing for small businesses, include that too.
A CV, on the other hand, goes much deeper into academic achievements, research contributions, and other scholarly activities. A CV includes sections like Publications, Conference Presentations, Research Projects, Grants, Awards, and sometimes even teaching philosophies or research interests. For example, a Nigerian university lecturer applying for a promotion to senior lecturer would list their peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, and academic conferences attended.
While a resume focuses on professional accomplishments, a CV emphasizes your scholarly contributions.
- Format and Structure
The format of a resume is typically flexible and varies based on industry norms. Resumes often start with a summary or objective statement that gives a quick overview of your professional goals. After that, it’s common to list work experience, followed by education, and then skills. In some cases, resumes also include sections like volunteer work, languages, or certifications. The idea is to keep the structure as clean and simple as possible, making it easy for employers to scan.
A CV, however, tends to follow a more rigid structure. Most CVs start with personal information, professional experience, followed by education. After that, they could go into publications, research projects, awards, grants, and other academic or professional accomplishments depending on what is being applied for. CVs are often formatted to provide as much detailed information as possible and are less likely to vary in structure compared to resumes.
- Global vs. Local Usage
In some parts of the world, the use of “resume” or “CV” can depend on regional norms. For instance, in the United States, the term resume is used for most job applications outside of academia, while the CV is reserved for academic or research positions.
However, in Nigeria, as I mentioned earlier, the term CV is commonly used in both formal and informal conversations, even when people are actually referring to a resume. Many Nigerian job seekers use the term CV to describe both documents, which can lead to some confusion. However, as Nigerian companies become more aligned to global hiring practices, you will start to notice distinctions between the two.
When to Use a Resume vs. a CV
In summary, here’s a simple guide for when to use a resume and when to use a CV in Nigeria:
- Use a Resume: When applying for jobs in corporate sectors, creative roles, or non-academic positions (e.g., banks, media houses, telecom companies, tech startups).
- Use a CV: When applying for academic, research, or NGO-related roles, as well as jobs in government agencies or international organizations (e.g., universities, research institutes, development agencies).
Random Tips
- Sometimes we need to copy and paste things into our CVs and resumes from other documents. Be sure of formatting consistency. I have seen CVs sporting a variety of fonts and sizes as a result of lack of formatting. It makes the applicant come off as sloppy and inefficient so be sure to sort this out.
- The devil is truly in the detail. I have found the hard way that there are mistakes you can only see once the document is printed out. Make it a point to proofread AFTER printing out the document then make any corrections you need to make on the hard copy, transfer to the soft and reprint. Read through again to be sure the problem is sorted.
- This is a basic rule of thumb in journalism: Keep it simple. Yes, I know we are not all journalists, but a little useful information never hurts anybody. True, you REALLY want that job but using big words whose meaning you don’t fully comprehend is not the answer. Stick to simple but grammatically correct English. Remember, hiring managers tend to have a pile of documents to look through so give yourself the best possible chance to be read by applying basic rules of writing.
By understanding the differences between a resume and a CV, you can ensure that you present the right document for the right job, increasing your chances of success in a highly competitive job market.
Good luck my friend!