Many who work in the medical industry believe that a resume and a CV (curriculum vitae) are interchangeable, however, they are not.  There are some main differences between these two documents, with length and what is included being the most prominent.

While both documents are used when applying for an open position, here are the differences you should be aware of:

  • Curriculum Vitae or CV’s are typically longer in length, and are most often used by professionals applying for positions in industries such as medical and legal. Information included will usually consist of a person’s complete academic background, experience, research, awards, publications, and other notable achievements.
  • Resumes are used by the majority of job applicants, and include information such as education, work history, skills, and references. The resume is generally shorter in length and is as concise as possible.

No matter what type of position you are applying for, or whether you use a resume or CV, there are certain rules you should follow:

  • Always make sure that you match your resume or CV to the position you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a position that has a teaching component, you might wish to list your education and teaching experience near the top of your CV.  If you are applying for a position related to elderly care or long term care, you should list your skills and qualifications related to this type of position as keywords on your resume.
  • Whether you have your resume or CV exclusively online or in paper format, make sure they are consistent and current. Many hiring managers and recruiters, will check your online portfolio – having several versions of your resume or CV can hurt your chances of a callback.

There are many ways you can write your resume and CV.  It should be a document that sells your qualifications and skills to the potential employer.  Be aware of what the hiring manager or recruiter wants – a resume or a CV?  Most will alert you to the type of document they are expecting in their job ad.  When you follow the simple tips above, you will have a better chance of standing out among the sea of applicants.

Copyright: wavebreakmediamicro / 123RF Stock Photo