Navigating the Job Market: Understanding the Differences Between a C.V. and a Resume

On January 23, 2025, the Professional Development and Engagement team within the ASU Graduate College hosted a virtual Lunch and Learn session on "C.V. vs. Resume." Led by Amanda Athey, Director of Professional Development and Engagement in the Graduate College, the session provided graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with crucial insights into crafting these essential career documents.

C.V. vs. Resume: Key Differences
One of the primary takeaways from the session was the distinction between a Curriculum vitae (C.V.) and a resume. While both documents outline a candidate’s educational and professional background, they serve different purposes and audiences.

C.V. (Curriculum vitae):
A comprehensive academic record detailing education, research, teaching experience, publications and awards. C.V.s have no length restriction and are often used for academic job applications. The tone of the document is factual, with a focus on the accumulation of credentials.

Resume:
A concise, 1–1.5-page document tailored for non-academic positions. It highlights relevant experiences, skills and achievements in a more flexible format. Resumes are often designed to capture the reader’s attention quickly, given that employers may only scan them for a few seconds. The tone of the document is more self-promotional.

Tailoring Documents for the Audience
Identifying the audience is important when crafting these documents. For academic positions, faculty search committees evaluate C.V.s based on institutional reputation, alignment with job descriptions, research productivity, and funding potential. For non-academic roles, resumes are often screened rapidly, making it crucial to present key qualifications and relevant experiences prominently.

Best Practices for Crafting an Effective C.V. and Resume
C.V. Best Practices:

• Maintain a master C.V. that includes all academic achievements.
• Tailor the structure based on the specific academic position.
• Keep the tone factual and straightforward.

Resume Best Practices:

• Customize each resume for the specific job application.
• Use a clear, engaging layout to highlight achievements and skills.
• Ensure key qualifications are easily visible at a glance.

Final Takeaway
For advanced graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, understanding the differences between a C.V. and a resume and when to use them is essential. By strategically structuring these documents based on the target audience, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars can increase their chances of success past the first round of position applications.

To help you craft effective application materials, check out the following resources:

• Academic & Professional Development: Beyond the Professoriate, ImaginePhD
• Job Market Guidance: Chronicle of Higher Education, Chronicle Jobs
• Sample C.V.s: UCSF, Harvard, Illinois
• Sample Resumes: University of Maryland, UCSF

For those who missed the session, check out future professional development events hosted by the Graduate College to stay ahead in your career preparation!