The difference between a resume and curriculum vitae

There is quite a lot of confusion in Australia over the different use of the terms curriculum vitae and resume.

Some employers request the submission of a curriculum vitae rather than a resume and likewise, some job candidates tend to think they should title their document, a CV, rather than a resume.

So what is the difference?  Well the literal Latin translation of curriculum vitae, means ‘the course of one’s life’, and is usually used by job candidates within the areas of science, education/academia or medical communities.  CV’s within these professions incorporate-detailed information relating to their professional activities, including journal articles, research, scholarships and publications and the correct term for this type of detailed document is curriculum vitae.

The term curriculum vitae is also used to describe documents submitted by job candidates in countries such as New Zealand or the United Kingdom, where the term resume is not commonly used.  (So if you are applying for a job in these countries, uses the term curriculum vitae (CV), not resume).

However in Australia, the terms CV can be used interchangeably with resume and so you can use either term to describe your document, although the term resume, is the more common approach used here in Australia.  If an employer requests that you forward a CV, rather than a resume, just simply change the heading of your current resume, or alternatively, don’t provide your document with a title.  After all, it is pretty obvious to the reader, what the document is about, even with a title.