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Computer Skills for a CV in 2023 [+ Top Software Skills]
Everybody knows that putting computer skills on a CV is a must these days. But very few know how to put them to good use on their CVs. Do you?
What is a CV? What is a resume? Which one to use when applying for jobs? What’s the difference between the US academic CV and resume? Check our guide out.
Is there a difference between a CV and a Resume?
Why some candidates apply with a CV, and others submit a Resume?
Is any of these two documents better than the other?
It all gets confusing, that’s true. I’m here to clear out the CV vs. Resume difference once and for all.
This guide will show you:
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Let’s begin with an American CV definition.
A CV (short for curriculum vitae) is a detailed document describing the whole course of your career: your education, professional experience, and academic achievements. In the US and Canada, a CV is used in academia: to apply for grad school, senior academic positions, grants, scholarships, or fellowships. When you hear someone talking about an “academic CV,” what they mean is the US CV.
Latin “Curriculum Vitae” means “course of life.” As you’ve just learned, the CV meaning in the US is very close to the Latin original: a description of just that—in full detail.
Depending on the scope of your experience, you’ll want to include some (or all) of the following sections in your CV:
1. Contact Information
2. Research Objective or Personal Statement
3. Education
4. Professional Academic Appointments
5. Peer-Reviewed Publications
6. Awards and Honours
7. Grants and Fellowships
8. Conferences
9. Teaching Experience
10. Research Experience / Lab Experience
11. Non-Academic Activities
12. Other Publications
13. Languages and Skills
14. References
As long as it needs to. For American academic CVs, there’s no standard page-count limit.
For comparison, let’s see a US Resume definition.
A Resume is a document you use to apply for jobs in the US and Canada. It’s a brief overview of your work history and achievements relevant to the position you’re applying for. Typically, a Resume should not be longer than 2 pages.
The word comes from French “résumé,” meaning “to sum up.”
Both “résumé” and “resume” are correct, although the latter is becoming more popular lately.
In the American work resume, include the following sections:
1. Contact Information
2. Resume Summary or Objective
4. Education
5. Skills
6. Additional Sections (Awards, Publications, Certifications, Conferences, Volunteer Experience, or Hobbies and Interests)
Need to learn more about American Resume writing? Check out our how to format an American Resume guide.
Time for a quick recap.
Here’s a handy table outlining all the CV/Resume differences from a North American perspective.
CV | Resume |
No length limit | |
Focuses on education and academic achievements | Focuses on relevant work experience and skills |
Used in academia to apply for fellowships, grants, or graduate programs | Used to apply for all non-academic jobs |
Detailed and elaborate: a comprehensive outline of your career | Brief and relevant: its purpose is to show you’re a good fit for a particular job |
No bullet points, only plain paragraphs | Skills and professional experience outlined in bullet points |
What about other countries then?
In the UK, Ireland, other European countries, and New Zealand, a CV is an equivalent of the American Resume. It’s a short document used to apply for regular, non-academic jobs.
In Australia and South Africa, CV and Resume are synonymous and used interchangeably.
So, if you’re not targeting a post in the US or Canada, is CV a Resume, basically?
Yes, pretty much so.
There are only minor country-specific differences between an American resume and a non-North American CV.
For instance, on the UK CV, it’s recommended to write in the first person. In the US and Canada, it’s less common to do so on resumes (but becoming more and more acceptable nonetheless!).
Another thing is the use of photographs on CVs. In some countries, such as Germany, Poland, or Portugal, employers might still expect your headshot on a CV.
In the UK or the US, a picture on CV or resume will actually hamper your chances of landing the job.
Plus, when it comes to printing, the A4 paper is commonly used in Europe, whereas in the US it’s the letter paper.
In South Asia, job seekers might need to use a slightly different document: a biodata.
A biodata (short for “biographical data”) covers more personal information such as date of birth, gender, religion, race, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, and current salary. It’s commonly used in India and Bangladesh in place of a CV or resume.
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If you’re based in the US or Canada:
Use a CV only to apply for academic posts, graduate programs, fellowships, or grants.
Eying a non-academic gig? Submit a resume and a cover letter.
Applying for a job in the UK, Ireland, another European country, or New Zealand?
You’ll be asked to submit a CV—but bear in mind that its format is almost identical to the American resume format.
Make sure to check region-specific CV requirements: the devil is in the detail, and various job markets around the world might have their tiny peculiarities.
In Australia and South Africa—
CV and resume are synonymous. Both refer to a short, targeted document centred around your most relevant qualifications.
Seeking a post in South Asia?
You’ll most likely need to write a biodata—a document similar to the US resume or the European CV but focused more on personal information.
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Here are the most important items to remember regarding the CV vs. CV difference:
Is the difference between a CV and a resume still unclear? Unsure which one to pick? Drop me a line in the comments, I’ll do my best to straighten out your queries!
Everybody knows that putting computer skills on a CV is a must these days. But very few know how to put them to good use on their CVs. Do you?
We've selected over 50 best CV templates for Word you can download for free. Choose the best Word CV template for you and start working on your CV right away.
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