Recently, I was asked for an updated copy of my CV. As thrilled as I was, I found myself a little apprehensive about passing over what I have always referred to as my resumé. Since I wasn’t sure if they were one and the same I asked a few experts about CV’s and resumés, and if and how they differ.
“CV is abbreviated latin for curriculum vitae, which means the course of one’s life. Resumé is French for the same thing. The term CV is more popular in the U.K. than resumé, where in North America and Australia resumé is the preferred term or sometimes “vita” in the U.S.,” says Jim Bright, author of Amazing Resumés (editions in the
U.K. are Brilliant CV) and partner of the career consultation organization, www.brightandassociates.com.au.
“They are the same and are used interchangeably,” says Bright. “Sometimes you hear people trying to claim that a CV is a longer document and the resumé briefer.
However, there is no rationale to such distinctions.”
Jeffrey J. Fox, author of Don’t Send A Resumé, which has been republished as How To Land Your Dream Job: No Resumé! And Other Secrets to Get You In The Door agrees CV is simply a term commonly used in Europe meaning the same thing.
What exactly is a CV?
“A resumé or CV is a sales and marketing document that highlights the fit between you and the position for which you are applying,” says Bright.
It emphasizes how your qualifications and experiences equip you to meet or exceed the requirements of the position.
However, using a resumé can be problematical, says Fox. “Hiring managers, especially human resource people, look at resumés with a jaundiced eye. They look for negatives.”
Fox says, for young people, writing a resumé can be especially difficult.
“Young people rarely have big-time experience. That’s OK. Hiring managers know that young people have little experience. Thus, it is better for young people to put together a short bio, not a resumé.”
According to Fox, the short bio should list relevant accomplishments such as a university degree and relevant work habits.
When career building, expect to rewrite your resumé constantly. By researching the position and reading any selection criteria, you should build up a picture of what the employer sees as the ideal candidate, says Bright. Then you should research yourself so you can write a resumé that demonstrates how you match and exceed the ideal candidate.
Expect to spend at least a week putting together a good quality resumé or CV from scratch.
This document determines to a large extent whether you are shortlisted and, ultimately, get the job, so it is worth a little bit of effort getting it right in the first place!
Kavita Gosyne, 26, is a young struggling journalism graduate. She writes about her transition from student to employee and the issues she faces such as office politics.
