CV/Resume

What is a CV/Resume?

 

CV or resume is a summary highlighting an individual’s professional knowledge, qualifications, work experience, knowledge skills, additional activities, certifications, and achievements.

 

A resume or CV is a dynamic document that is subject to alteration and update from time to time with the enhancement of an individual’s knowledge, skills, and happenings over time.

 

With the advancement of time and progression in career, when knowledge and skills are nourished with additional certification, research, personal experiences, and professional accomplishments, a resume or CV requires upgradation and additions to showcase the possessed potential and qualifications.

 

This would highlight the strengths that an individual possesses and also provide insight to the employer on whether it fits their job requirement specifics or not.

 

It is an essential document while applying for a job in any organization, as it brings an individual’s gained qualities and potential to light and assists the employer in shortlisting procedures.

 

A CV or a resume is not just a mere piece of document but an indispensable material that holds significance in deciding the fate of an applicant in the job selection.

 

So, it is essential to frame a resume or CV with honesty and authentic information to get through the job selection procedure and get the required designation as per adequate knowledge and skills.

 

This also helps applicants avoid stress or burnout and employers from getting affected by bad performances or productivity degradation which are usually consequences of inadequate designated posts or wrong hiring.

 

 

 

FAQs

 

 

1. What are the Differences Between a CV and a Resume? (CV vs Resume)

 

Now that we know what is a CV and a resume, let’s get an insight into a CV vs a resume (what’s the difference) and the parameters that are the reason behind their uniqueness.

 

Although the words CV and resume are used as synonyms of each other and are interchangeably used in various countries such as the United States, India, Canada, etc., yet it has vivid differences in their purpose, length, content, etc. CV is Latin for “course of life” and resume is a French word for “summary”

 

The difference between a CV and a resume can be comprehended by evaluating the metrics that segregate them from each other, which include:

 

➔ Motive

 

The purpose or motive of a CV and resume varies significantly, let’s see what’s the difference between a resume and a CV’s motive.

 

▸ CV

CV is used in applying for positions that require comprehensive documentation like academics, the medical profession, rocket-science professionals, etc. to showcase publications, presentations, research details, and more.

 

▸ Resume

If you are applying for a job position in industries such as business, enterprises, technology, marketing, advertising, etc. the need for a resume is a mandate as it highlights your professional qualifications, experiences, and skills which as a result help the organization decide on your selection.

 

➔ Frequency

 

Frequency indicates the length of a CV vs a resume, which are significantly different from each other, such as:

 

▸ CV

CVs are longer, specifically, it has a comprehensive explanation of an individual professional accomplishment.

 

It has multiple pages specifying details information which includes, qualifications, professional experiences, research, publications, etc.

 

▸ Resume

Resumes are usually shorter, usually one to two pages, focusing on relevant qualifications, skills, and experiences.

 

➔ Content

 

The content inside the CV and resume are different from each other although having the same intention to highlight an individual’s achievements, qualifications, skills, and accomplishments.

 

▸ CV

In the CV vs resume sphere, the most vital difference between both is the content transcribed.

 

CVs are detailed mentions of the individual achievements, qualifications, publications, presentations, conferences attended, international certifications, grants and scholarships received, awards received for any work, and patented content (if any).

 

▸ Resume

Resumes are one to two pages. So, the content included in it is precise and to the point. It is a summary of information that is relevant to the job (if you’re applying for any).

 

It emphasizes on an individual’s educational accomplishments, skills, knowledge and action words as per the job application.

 

➔ Scalability

 

Scalability or flexibility refers to the frequency of changes that could be made as per requirement. Let us see how scalability segregates both, and how curriculum vitae CV is different from a resume.

 

▸ CV

CVs are more flexible as compared to your resume because it allows you to include extensive details on the accomplishments and research works as well as gives a comprehensive view of overall skills and knowledge that has been acquired by an individual.

 

▸ Resume

Resume follows a standardized format that is tailored as per the job requirement.

 

For example, when applying for a job, you can use a resume by highlighting specified skills and accomplishments that align with the job post requirement.

 

➔ Geographical Importance

 

CV vs resume, although are synonyms to each other in most the countries, yet, the meaning and purpose of both are considered different in various other countries like:

 

▸ CV

CV specifically is used in most of the places in Europe, the UK, Asia, a few parts of Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Australia, and other parts of various countries.

 

▸ Resume

A resume is used in regions of the UK (for specific job applications), in the US (United States of America), Malaysia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Canada, and more.

 

Note: Both resume and CV are usually interchangeably used by countries mentioned in the blog like in the US, UK, etc., but in a few specific regions they are considered as different as per the parameters of their job applications.

 

➔ Utility

 

The difference between a resume and a CV is in its utilization, which includes:

 

▸ CV

A CV is used in areas such as academia, research, healthcare, government jobs, other scientific or technical professions, etc. If you apply for any position in such a place, you are required to use a CV.

 

▸ Resume

A resume is a concise document used for various job applications, in the fields of marketing, IT, advertising, business finance, and more. If you apply for any position in such industries, you are required to use a resume.

 

It is essential to evaluate the job type, requirement, and region of application to decide on, when to use a CV and when to use a resume.

 

2. How do I write a CV resume?

 

After understanding what is a curriculum vitae, we should know how to frame one for getting shortlisted in an ATS (Applicant Tracking System). Certain essential parameters need to be considered while drafting a CV or resume, and it includes:

 

➔ Select a Format

 

This is the foremost and vital step in which you need to select an appropriate format for drafting your CV.

 

Before selecting an appropriate format, it is essential to thoroughly view the job description and the type of job position you are applying for.

 

It is important to select the format as per the job requirement to make it worthy enough to get shortlisted.

 

➔ Include Essentials

 

Include the pieces of information that are indispensable and are required to be in the resumes. A few of those include:

 

▸ Contact Information

 

Contact information contains details such as:

 

• Personal mobile number
• Email address
• Social media handle of LinkedIn
• Present address

 

▸ Academic Qualifications

 

Academic qualifications include the following:

 

• Name of the institutions
• Grades
• Year of passing
• Board in which institutions are associated with (ICSE, CBSE, State-board)

 

▸ Professional Experiences

 

Professional experiences include details such as:

 

• Companies you are associated with in the present and from which year
• Companies you were associated with and mention the years in specific ( date of joining to date of exit)
• Internships if any
• Other relevant professional experiences

 

▸ Relevant Skills

 

It represents highlighting the relevant skills that are required for the job application you have applied for.

 

Relevant skills could be, proficiency in communication, writing, coding, or anything specific which is the key requirement of the job application.

 

Highlighting those key elements can be an advantageous move to get your resume shortlisted.

 

▸ Extra-Curricular Details

 

Extra-curricular details include activities that are not associated with day-to-day professional tasks but rather are specific skills that are acquired by individuals over time.

 

It includes skills such as singing, dancing, musical proficiency, painting, and more. It is mostly passion-oriented oriented than profession-oriented.

 

▸ Add On’s:

 

• Additional Courses
• Research Work experience & publications
• Internship Experiences
• Achievements, certifications & Accomplishments
• Volunteer work and community involvement, etc.

 

➔ Use Action Verbs

 

Using action verbs can highlight the skills, roles, and responsibilities you are proficient in. This conveys a sense of purpose, effort, and movement.

 

Action verb signifies words that are dynamic in nature and emphasizes words that are in movement.

 

This also signifies the situation, that is, what someone or something is doing. This makes the sentences more engaging and conversational.

 

A few Examples are as follows: communicative, organized, collaborative, drafted, authored, engaged, developed, etc.

 

➔ Customize Job Applications

 

Tailor your resume as per the job requirements so as it make it attention-worthy to the employers and pass through the resume screening phase.

 

Customization of a resume includes highlighting the key elements or qualities that you possess and which align with the job post requirements.

 

➔ Proofread & Tailoring

 

Proofread and edit the drafted resume or CV after framing to check on the words, sentences, grammatical errors, and any other additional information if needed to be jotted in the resume.

 

➔ Save & Send

 

After framing the resume or CV it is important to save the same in pdf file format to further use it for other job applications after making essential changes, updates, and alterations.

 

3. What to include in a CV or Resume?

 

The resume or CV consists of the following details, such as:

 

• Contact Information
• Objectives in details
• Academic qualifications
• Professional Experiences
• Accomplishments in academics and profession
• Any specific research, publication, presentation, or international conferences attended (Noteworthy enough to be mentioned)
• Skills gained
• Knowledge grasped
• Futuristic goals
• Strengths & weaknesses
• Any additional certification or training (worth mentioning)
• Achievements and awards
• Extracurricular activities accomplishments
• Professional associations and memberships
• Languages known
• Hobbies and interests.
• The undertaking of producing authentic data in the CV.
• Date and signature.

 

4. Tips for Preparing a Successful Resume

 

Framing a successful resume requires careful and structured organization of all the metrics that will not only exhibit your true self but also make an impactful significance among many other competitive applications.

 

Let us understand the tips for preparing a successful resume:

 

➔ Tailor your resume

 

Customize your resume or CV as per the job description and requirements. Highlight the essentials that the company is looking for to get your CV or resume shortlisted.

 

➔ Use Clear and Professional Format

 

Using a clear and professional format includes:

 

• Use clean and readable fonts
• Use professional and primary colors
• Use consistent formatting styles for titles, subtitles, and bullet points.
• Organize the fonts by using appropriate spacing and white spaces to make the text conveniently readable.

 

➔ Craft a Strong Objective

 

Craft a strong objective that would showcase your true strength and intention towards goal accomplishment, and summarize your capability.

 

➔ Include Key Essentials

 

Include essentials such as:

 

• Name, contact information other personal details such as social media handle of LinkedIn, etc.
• Highlight key achievements
• Mention your academic qualifications
• Focus on quantifiable achievements
• Mention add-ons such as certifications and training that are relevant to the job applications & more.

 

➔ Use Keywords

 

Use keywords that are relevant according to the job requirement to pass through the applicant tracking system.

 

➔ Synchronize your CV

 

Showcase career progression and showcase your progression in reverse order that is recent position in the first, so that it would be convenient for the employer to know your recent position.

 

➔ Use Cover Letter

 

Attach a cover letter along with the resume that would highlight your interest in the position. This will also showcase a professional attitude and make it more seamless for the employer to understand your prospects and thoughts.