Resume
versus CV - what’s the difference?
by Donna Cardillo, RN, BS
Although
many people use the terms “resume” and “CV”
(curriculum vitae) interchangeably, they’re actually
two different types of documents, each with its own distinct
focus. Knowing the right format and use for each will save
time and trouble (not to mention worry) with your future
job pursuits.
A
resume is the 1-2 page career summary that most of us are
familiar with. It summarizes work experience, accomplishments,
education and other pertinent topics such as professional
associations and special skills. The resume is what is most
universally used and expected by prospective employers (See
Frequently Asked Questions About Resumes and Keywords Are
Key To Getting Your Online Resume Read.)
A
curriculum vitae, or CV, on the other hand, is a longer,
more comprehensive document. It’s usually multiple
pages long and gets into much more detail, including a listing
of publications, presentations, research projects, academic
work, teaching experience, and so forth. A CV is generally
used in PhD-driven environments, such as academia and higher
level research. It attests to expertise and authority.
Does
that mean that if you’ve had articles published or
done some speaking or teaching that you should use a CV
rather than a resume? Not necessarily. The format you use
is determined more by the type of job you’re applying
for than your credentials.
Not
only doesn’t the average nurse need a CV, but it can
be a hindrance in a normal job search. Even if you have
had some articles published and made some formal presentations,
you can still summarize them under headings such as Selected
Presentations or Selected Publications. Then just list those
that are most recent, significant, and relevant. Keep in
mind that the purpose of a resume is to summarize your accomplishments,
not to be a laundry list of everything you ever did.
There
are even two different styles of CV, the American and the
International. Which style you use would depend on where
the company you’re applying to is located. The International
version includes personal information, such as marital and
health status, which would be inappropriate on an American-style
CV.
It
doesn’t hurt to keep a CV-style listing for yourself
to keep track of every presentation, article, and so forth
if applicable, but you certainly don’t want to provide
that much detail in your resume. Remember, less is more
today, when you’re talking about resumes. If people
want more detail, they can always review your portfolio,
if you have one, or ask for more details, which you could
provide under separate cover.
Remember
that many people use the terms “CV” and “resume”
interchangeably. So the next time someone asks you for a
CV, don’t assume she wants the long, expanded version.
Unless you’re applying for a teaching position with
a university or a high-level PhD type research position,
an all-purpose resume is usually all you’ll need.
For
more information about resumes and CVs check out: The Complete
Idiot’s Guide to the Perfect Resume by Susan Ireland
or Resumes for Dummies by Joyce Lain Kennedy.
Reprinted
with permission from Nurses.com (www.nurses.com).
Copyright by Verticalnet, Inc., Horsham, PA.,
215-315-3247.
All rights reserved.
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