Resume vs curriculum vitae (CV) What is the difference?

If you have already started applying for a job, you might have heard the phrase

“Please share your resume.”

Or sometimes, “Send me your CV.”

Most of the time they’re likely asking you for a resume. But you should also know that there’s a difference between a CV and a Resume, even though people use them interchangeably here. 

Just to clear this confusion out, we will tell you what a CV is and what a resume is. 

And which one should you use to apply for a job? 

Let’s get started

Table of Contents

• • What Is a CV?
  • What Is a Resume?
  • Difference Between CV and Resume
  • Tips for Writing a Strong CV
  • Tips for Writing a Strong Resume
  • When to Use a CV vs When to Use a Resume 
  • But What Do You Write in a Resume If You’re a Fresher?
  • Final Thoughts
  • Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a CV?

Let’s start with CV — or Curriculum Vitae (which literally means “course of life” in Latin).

A CV is a detailed document that includes your full academic history, work experience (if any), research, internships, certifications and sometimes even hobbies or awards. It’s a comprehensive overview of everything you’ve done so far, especially related to your education.

Key Features of a CV:

• Typically 2–5 pages long, especially if you’re applying for research or academic roles.
  
• Lists everything — even if it’s not directly relevant to the job.
  
• Used for PhD programs, fellowships, government jobs or roles in research and teaching.
  
• Chronological in format — starting from your most recent qualification going backwards.

 Example: If you’re applying for a research assistant role at a university or a PhD programme in the UK or Germany, you’ll be asked for a CV.

What Is a Resume?

Now let’s talk about a resume — the real MVP for most corporate job applications.

A resume is a short, tailored summary of your skills, qualifications and work experience relevant to a specific job you’re applying for. It’s precise, targeted and meant to grab the recruiter’s attention within seconds.

 Key Features of a Resume:

• Ideally 1 page, max 2 pages.
  
• Focuses on job-relevant skills, internships or achievements.
  
• Designed to be customised for every job application.
  
• Commonly used for private-sector jobs, MNCS, startups, etc.

 Example: If you’re applying to Wipro, Amazon or even a startup in India, you need a resume, not a 5-page CV.

Difference Between CV and Resume

Many Indians unknowingly submit a CV when they’re actually supposed to send a resume. This simple mistake can cost you interview calls. So please don’t mix up both things.

Tips for Writing a Strong CV

While you might not use a CV for most private-sector jobs, it becomes crucial if you’re eyeing higher studies, government jobs or research opportunities. A well-structured CV shows depth, seriousness and academic curiosity.

Here’s how to write a CV that speaks volumes — even if you don’t have a fancy degree or gold medal 🏅.

1. Start with a Professional Header

Include your full name, mobile number, email ID and LinkedIn profile.
Avoid email IDs like cooldude69@gmail.com. Instead, use something like rahul.verma97@gmail.com.

2. Write a Clear Objective or Personal Statement

Begin with 3–4 lines that summarise your academic interests, specialisations and career goals. This helps the reviewer understand your direction instantly.

3. Present Academic History in Reverse Chronological Order

Always start with your most recent qualification and move backwards. Mention:

• Degree name
• University/Institution
• Year of passing
• CGPA or percentage
• Key subjects or modules (only if relevant)

🎓 Example:
M.Tech in Artificial Intelligence
VIT Vellore | 2022–2024 | CGPA: 8.75/10

4. Add Research Papers, Publications & Academic Projects

This is the heart of your CV if you’re applying for anything research-related.

Include:

• Title of project/research
• Duration
• Tools/technologies used
• Outcome or conclusion
• Any papers published (with proper citations or links)

🧪 Example:
“Developed a deep learning model to detect diabetic retinopathy using CNN. Published in IEEE Xplore (DOI link)

5. List Technical and Analytical Skills

Create a separate section for skills like:

• Programming languages (Python, MATLAB)
• Statistical tools (R, SPSS)
• Lab equipment proficiency
• Data analysis techniques

⚠️ Avoid soft skills here. Keep this section purely technical or academic.

6. Include Internships or Assistantships

Even if it was unpaid or short, list it out. For each experience, mention:

• Role
• Institution
• Duration
• What you did (in 2–3 bullet points)

7. Include Achievements and Awards

This can include:

• Paper presentation prizes
• Quiz competition wins
• Hackathon victories
• Scholarships or fellowships

Tips for Writing a Strong Resume

Recruiters spend less than 7 seconds scanning your resume. And if they don’t see what they like — boom, next candidate.

So here’s how you make your first resume job-ready, even with little or no experience.

1. Write a Crisp Career Summary at the Top

A resume is not your autobiography. Kick it off with a 3–4 line punchy summary about who you are and what you bring to the table.

🖋 Example:
“B.Com graduate with hands-on experience in digital marketing through freelance projects. Skilled in Canva, Meta Ads and SEO. Eager to contribute to a growth-focused marketing team.”

Avoid generic lines like “Hardworking individual seeking a challenging position…”

Also Read: Common Resume Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

2. Use a Skills Section That Pops

Right below the summary, make a section called Skills.
Group them based on type:
Tools: MS Excel, Canva, Tableau
Tech: Python, Java, SQL
Other: Copywriting, Social Media Marketing

Use bullets. Keep it scannable

3. Highlight Internships and Part-Time Work

No job is too small. Even if you worked as a social media intern for a local brand, it counts. Show outcomes and achievements using numbers and verbs.

✅ Instead of: “Worked as marketing intern at XYZ.”
✨ Write: “Created daily Instagram content and improved follower count by 30% in 2 months.”

4. Show Projects Like a Pro

College projects? Freelance gigs? Personal side projects? Add them! Format it like this:

• Project Title
• Role (if team project)
• Tools/Technologies Used
• Summary
• Result or outcome

📱 Example:
E-Commerce Website for College Fest (Team Lead)
Designed a responsive site using HTML, CSS and Bootstrap. Handled UI/UX and coordinated the backend team.
Result: Over 1,000 users registered in 4 days.

5. Keep Formatting Easy for the Eyes

• Stick to clean design
• Use consistent alignment
• Save in PDF
• Don’t use photos unless absolutely required

6. Tailor It to Every Job

Never use the same resume everywhere.
Read the job description, pull out keywords and make sure your resume reflects them.

🤓 Example: If the job says “looking for someone with knowledge of Meta Ads,” mention:
“Ran Meta Ad campaigns for a mock food delivery app project during college.”

But hey, don’t lie in your resume. Because recruiters can find out you lied on your resume from the interview. 

7. Add a Mini Portfolio (If Relevant)

Especially useful for:

• Graphic design
• Writing
• Web development
• Social media

Include a clickable link to your Google Drive folder, Behance, GitHub, blog or LinkedIn profile.

To learn how to make a resume in detail read this blog 

➡️How To Make a Resume (With Examples)

When to Use a CV vs When to Use a Resume

Still unsure? Here’s your cheat sheet 👇

But What Do You Write in a Resume If You’re a Fresher?

If all this still feels a bit much, don’t worry. You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Oops Study Resume Building Course is made especially for Indian freshers like you who are confused about what to write, what to skip and how to present themselves professionally. You’ll learn:

• What format works best in India
  
• How to write a summary that makes recruiters pause
  
• How to showcase your skills even with zero experience

 Final Thoughts

To wrap it up, both a resume and a CV are essential documents, just used in different situations. In India, if you’re applying for a corporate job, a resume is your go-to. If you’re aiming for an academic or research role, then build a strong CV.

But here’s the thing: most freshers miss out not because they lack skills, but because they fail to present them well. And the first impression? That’s your resume or CV.

So take this seriously. Start strong. And if you need a little help, Oops Study’s resume course is the best place to begin.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the full form of CV?
   Curriculum Vitae, which means ‘course of life’ in Latin.
2. Is resume and CV the same in India?
   While used interchangeably, they’re different. A resume is short and job-focused, a CV is detailed and academic.
3. How long should my resume be as a fresher?
   Ideally 1 page. Keep it simple, relevant and well-formatted.
4. What is the best format for a CV in India?
   Chronological format works best — start with education, then research, achievements, etc.
5. Can I make one document for all applications?
   No. Always tailor your resume for each job. Use a CV only where required.

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