Between a CV and a Resume

A corps member recently contacted me for clarification about the differences between a CV and a resume after discovering that an organization requested both. I was surprised because the flyer she forwarded indicated that they wanted to hire experienced graduates for the advertised jobs. This raised several questions in my mind, such as, “Why ask for both a CV and a resume at the same time?”. I inquired if they also requested a cover letter, to which she replied that they did when she messaged them on WhatsApp. This is a common error I have noticed in the Nigerian labour market.

On my WhatsApp status, I posted that when potential employers ask for a CV, they are actually requesting a resume. I took the time to thoroughly explain the differences between the two documents to clarify any doubts for the graduates on my contact list. The truth is, a large number of HR practitioners use them interchangeably, but it is important to note that they are not the same. They have subtle differences.

While writing today’s column, I researched the differences between the two documents in three different authoritative dictionaries. According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, a ‘CV’, which is an initialism for ‘curriculum vitae’, is defined as  “a written account of one’s life comprising education, accomplishments, work experience, publications, etc; especially, one used to apply for a job.”  The Cambridge Dictionary also defines a CV as a “short written description of your education, qualifications, previous jobs, and sometimes also your personal interests, that you can send to an employer when you are trying to get a job.”

A resume and a CV serve similar purposes, both summarizing one’s educational background and work history. However, there are key differences between the two documents. A resume is more concise than a CV, tailored specifically to a particular job role. For example, when applying for a head of operations position, your resume should emphasize your relevant work experience in office settings. Publications and research projects from your academic career are typically not necessary in a resume, especially if they are unrelated to the job role. The focus of a resume is on showcasing your qualifications and experiences that directly relate to the position you are applying for.

In a CV commonly used for academic purposes, your publication and research experiences take priority. Volunteering experiences and other relevant projects for the course you are applying for at universities abroad are also important. The recommended length for a resume is two pages, while a CV can be longer, especially if you have a lot of academic experience for scholarship opportunities. In summary, submit a resume tailored to the specified job role.

Work Experience or Working Experience?

In your CV or resume, there is a specific section that should indicate your quantifiable achievements in your previous places of work. This section is typically titled ‘WORK EXPERIENCE’. Unfortunately, I have noticed ‘WORKING EXPERIENCE’ on CVs, which implies ‘an experience that is working’.

Use the correct version to avoid creating an unprofessional CV/resume filled with grammatical errors. The Free Dictionary defines work experience as “the length of time one has been working in a particular field (or working generally).”

Below are example sentences extracted from different sources in the Cambridge Dictionary:

“Some 20% of French founders gained work experience at the university, outpacing U.S. colleges like Stanford and MIT, as well as AI giants such as Google and Facebook.” – Amanda Gerut, Fortune Europe, 20 June 2024.

“Nobody responds to the wannabe writer with not enough work experience or an impressive pedigree who is cold-emailing you.” – Gina Vaynshtey, StyleCaster, 12 June 2024.

“One path to success is passing the CPA exam and attaining 120 hours of college credit, along with two years of work experience. “- Bysheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Sept. 2023.

“Spence, a lifelong resident of Tinley Park, gained his first work experience at the Dairy Palace as a teenager, mopping floors to earn spending money. “ – Paul Eistenberg, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023.

Assignment

Choose the correct answers to each of the following questions:
A CV is an initialism for _________. (a) curriculum vitae © curriculum victim (c) curriuculm vita
A resume is more ______ than a CV. (a) broad (b) specific © lengthy
What is the recommended number of pages for a resume? (a) 7 (b) 5 (c) 2

Kindly forward your answers to samueltolulopealimi@gmail.com or call 07049203179.

Answers to last week’s questions: C, A, B.
Names of those who answered the last questions correctly
Sani Garba,Olive Alimi, Idowu Rofiat, Jerry Solomon, David Okufuwa, Bolanle Olusola, Uchenna Eze, Adesina Sofiyat, Rasheed Fatah, Eze Jeremiah, Caroline Praise, Shukurat Adekola, Bala Aminat, Bello Sulaimon, Adaeze Beauty, Philip Moses, Jeremiah Isaiah, Edward Israel, Feyisayo Akorede and Solomon Moses.