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

Main Ideas and Concepts

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: - CVs are standard in academic, government, and research environments. - Resumes are typically used for industry positions and other non-academic jobs. - When in doubt, ask the hiring manager or network with industry professionals.

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.

Methodology / Instructions for Creating CV vs Resume

When to Use Each Document: - Use a CV for academic, government, research positions, grants, and fellowships. - Use a resume for industry and non-academic roles.

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.