Curriculum Vitae vs. Resume

Do you know the difference?

Most job postings in the United States request a resume when applying for a position. Many of you might be familiar a curriculum vitae which is most commonly used in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. 

The main difference in a resume and a curriculum vitae is the length. To best illustrate the difference, we can take a look at the meaning of each word. The French word resume means summary. On the other hand, the phrase curriculum vitae in Latin means course of one's life.

Take a moment to look over the essential elements of a resume vs. a curriculum vitae so that you know what to submit on the next application.

Key Elements of a Resume

• Uses active verbs
• Uses plain language
• Consists of one to two pages
• Includes
• contact information
• professional goal
• work experience
• education history
• skills
• achievements
• Formatted in reverse chronological order in most instances

Key Elements of a Curriculum Vitae

• Consists of two pages or more in most instances
• Includes
• work experience
• education
• publications and presentations
• teaching experience
• awards
• honors 
• affiliations
• references