The Short Answer
- UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Middle East, Asia: The document is called a CV. It is 1–3 pages depending on experience level.
- USA and Canada: The document is called a resume. It is typically 1 page (junior/mid) or 2 pages (senior). "CV" in North America refers specifically to academic or research documents — much longer and more detailed.
- India: Both terms are used interchangeably. The format is similar to the UK CV.
What Is a CV?
CV stands for curriculum vitae (Latin: "course of life"). In countries that use the term, it refers to the standard professional job application document — a structured summary of your work history, education, and skills, typically 1–3 pages in length.
In the UK, a CV is the document you submit for virtually every professional job application. It is not an exhaustive life history — that is a common misconception. It is a targeted, well-structured professional document.
What Is a Resume?
In North America, a resume (from the French résumé, meaning "summary") is the standard job application document. It is typically more concise than a UK/international CV — usually 1 page for candidates with fewer than 10 years of experience, 2 pages for more experienced candidates.
In the US, the word "CV" is used exclusively in academic and research contexts — a professor applying for a faculty position submits a CV that may run 10–20 pages, listing all publications, research, teaching experience, and conference presentations.
Key Differences: CV vs Resume at a Glance
| Feature | CV (UK/International) | Resume (US/Canada) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 1–3 pages | 1–2 pages |
| Purpose | Professional job applications | Professional job applications |
| Photo | Never (UK/Europe) | Never |
| Objective/Summary | Professional summary | Resume objective or summary |
| Used in | UK, Europe, AUS, NZ, Africa, Middle East, Asia | USA, Canada |
| Academic version | Standard CV (shorter) | Separate long-form 'CV' (academic only) |
Which One Should You Send?
Follow the country, not the company:
- Applying for a job in the UK, Australia, South Africa, India, UAE, Nigeria, Kenya, Germany, Singapore: Send a CV.
- Applying for a job in the US or Canada: Send a resume.
- Applying to a US company's UK office: Use the UK standard — send a CV.
- Applying to an academic or research position anywhere: An academic CV is appropriate regardless of country.
If you are unsure, look at the job posting. Most employers use the local terminology — "submit your resume" means US-style, "send your CV" means international style.
Do the Formats Actually Differ?
For most industries and seniority levels, the practical differences between a UK CV and a US resume are minor:
- Both use reverse-chronological work history
- Both lead with contact information and a summary
- Both emphasise achievements over duties
- Both require ATS-friendly formatting
The main differences are length (US resumes skew shorter), the absence of personal details in both (no photo, DOB, marital status), and the terminology used in the document.
What About "Biodata"?
In some South Asian countries (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan), you may encounter the term biodata. This typically refers to a personal profile document that may include information not found in a UK CV or US resume (date of birth, religion, languages). The biodata format is used primarily for government, education, and traditional sectors. For corporate and multinational applications in these regions, a standard CV or resume format is expected.
International CV Formats by Region
- Australia: Same as UK CV — 2–3 pages standard, no photo, achievements-focused
- Canada: Resume format (1–2 pages) for most roles; similar to US
- Germany: Lebenslauf — includes a photo (professional headshot), date of birth, and is structured differently from UK/US formats
- France: CV français — may include a photo and personal details; typically 1 page
- South Africa: UK-style CV — 2–3 pages, no photo required
- Nigeria/Kenya/Ghana: UK-style CV — 2 pages standard; may include nationality
- UAE/Gulf: UK-style CV with 2–3 pages; including nationality is sometimes expected for visa processing
- India: Both CV and resume terms used; 2–3 pages standard, sometimes includes a photo
- Singapore: UK-style 2-page CV; international corporate standard
The Universal Rules (Regardless of Format)
- Lead with your strongest selling point — never bury it
- Use numbers to quantify impact wherever possible
- Use the exact terminology from the job description
- Keep formatting clean and ATS-compatible (single column, no images)
- Tailor the document for each application