Resume Help Blog

When you are job searching these days, whether it is for jobs in retail, banking or the leisure industry, knowing how to put together a CV or resume is a vital skill.  Here we will use the example of jobs in retail as we look at the difference between a CV and a resume, and how you can adapt a CV to resume format.  The main reason for using this example is that there are still plenty of vacancies in this sector – just take a look at the jobs in retail on the reed.co.uk site.  While many of these jobs don’t require formal training, you are nonetheless only going to be in the running if you present well, and the very first introduction that you make to a potential employer is going to be through your CV or resume.

But just what is the difference between a CV and a resume?  Well, the most basic difference is the length of each document, and what it is used for.  A resume is basically a short summary of the longer CV.  A good resume should be tailored to include only the details that are relevant when applying for the post, and so returning to our example of jobs in retail, the resume will generally be the most suitable format for entry level positions.

Wherever you are in world, the CV does not really differ in the type of content that it contains.  However, the way that the CV is used is slightly different in the U.S. to the way that many European countries, including the U.K, use the CV.  In the U.K, many employers will ask for a CV, regardless of the type of job, and so both a qualified manager and an entry level shop assistant will often be asked to submit a CV when registering interest for a post.  In the U.S, the longer CV format is generally only used for applying for education, academic, research, or scientific positions, or applying for grants or fellowships.

Quite simply, the CV contains everything about your professional and academic life, as well as extracurricular activities.  From high school through to college or university, and then on to professional training, the CV will have details of not just qualifications, but any publications or major presentations that you have produced.  Awards and honours should also be included, as well as affiliations.  Every job that you have ever done will be listed and described in your CV, as well as voluntary work and hobbies.  This is why the resume format is more applicable to the job market, especially when applying for jobs that require no formal qualifications.

So why do employers require the full CV in the U.K?  Well, the fact is that many don’t – this is actually something of a definition issue.  The term CV is used a bit more loosely in the U.K, and can describe what is in effect a resume, as well as meaning the full story of your academic and professional life.  The type of job determines which version is required.  For more information on the difference between a CV and a resume, try looking at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curriculum_vitae.