Summary of "CV vs Resume: What's the Difference?"

Summary: CV vs Resume – Key Differences and Usage

Speaker: Amanda Dum, Career Counselor at the Office of Internal Training and Education, National Institutes of Health

Purpose of the Video: To clarify the differences between a CV (Curriculum Vitae) and a resume, which are often confused or used interchangeably.

Contextual Usage:

Differences in Content and Format:

CV:
- Length: Virtually unlimited, often several pages.
- Content: Comprehensive and detailed, includes full publication records, grants, awards, conferences, poster presentations, and other professional activities.
- Format: Minimal formatting, fewer bullet points, clean and easy to read.
- Purpose: Ongoing academic and work history record.
Resume:
- Length: Shorter, ideally 1-3 pages (generally 1 page per 8-10 years of experience).
- Content: Highly tailored and succinct, focusing on relevant qualifications, education, experience, and skills.
- Format: Highly formatted to maximize white space, uses bullet points under experience sections.
- Purpose: Targeted marketing tool for a specific job.

Common Mistakes and Tips:

Scientists often submit CVs as resumes, which can appear out of place in industry job pools.
Resumes should include strong, active verbs and quantitative achievements (e.g., “designed lesson plans and taught introductory biology to 54 undergraduate students” rather than just “taught a lab section”).
Avoid personal pronouns (I, my, we) in both CVs and resumes; write in a third-person style.
Do not label the document as “CV” or “Resume” at the top; it’s unnecessary.
References should not be included or mentioned on either document; it is assumed they will be provided upon request.

When to Use Each Document:

Resume Creation Tips:

Tailor the resume specifically for the job you’re applying to.
Keep length between 1-3 pages (aim for 1 page per 8-10 years of experience).
Use bullet points with strong action verbs and quantifiable results.
Include key sections: qualification summary, education, experience, skills.
Exclude lengthy publication lists; optionally include a selected publications section with recent/relevant works.

CV Creation Tips:

Include full academic history and achievements.
Use minimal formatting but ensure clarity and readability.
Include comprehensive sections: awards, grants, conferences, presentations, full publications.

General Advice:

Be genuine but confident; these documents are your first introduction to employers.
Review and update documents regularly.
Avoid personal pronouns.
Do not label documents or include references.