The difference between a resume and a CV can be genuinely confusing because different countries use these terms to mean different things. To make matters worse, you’ll see both terms used interchangeably in job advertisements, which doesn’t help anyone figure out what’s actually expected.
In Australia, a resume is the standard one to two-page document you submit when applying for most jobs. It summarises your education, work experience, skills, and relevant achievements. This is what you’d use whether you’re applying to work in retail, hospitality, an office role, or a graduate position in business.
A CV (curriculum vitae, which is Latin for “course of life”) is a longer, more comprehensive document used primarily in academic, research, or medical fields. It includes detailed information about your publications, research projects, conference presentations, grants you’ve received, and professional memberships. An academic CV can easily run to ten or more pages as you progress through your career.
How other countries use these terms
In the United Kingdom and most other Commonwealth countries, they use “CV” to refer to what Australians call a resume – that standard one to two-page job application document. So when a British job advertisement asks for a CV, they’re asking for the same thing an Australian job ad means when it says “resume.”
In the United States and Canada, they use “resume” for the short version (like we do) and “CV” for the long academic version (also like we do). So on this particular piece of terminology, Australian and American usage actually align, which makes a nice change.
What this means when you’re job hunting
For most Australian job applications, you’ll be creating a resume – a concise, tailored document that highlights why you’re suitable for the specific role. Keep it to one or two pages, focus on relevant experience, and make sure it’s easy to read quickly.
You’ll only need a full CV if you’re applying for academic positions, research roles, or certain medical positions. These roles genuinely want to see the comprehensive list of your publications, research experience, and academic achievements. If you’re fresh out of school or in the early stages of university, you won’t have enough material for this kind of CV anyway, so stick with a resume.
When job ads use the wrong term
Sometimes you’ll see Australian job advertisements that ask for a “CV” when they clearly mean a resume. This often happens because the company has international connections, someone in HR is using UK terminology, or they’re just using the terms interchangeably without thinking about it.
Unless the job is genuinely academic or research-focused, assume they want a standard one to two-page resume, regardless of which term they’ve used. A marketing coordinator role that asks for a “CV” doesn’t actually want a ten-page document listing every project you’ve ever worked on – they want a concise resume showing your relevant marketing experience.
If you’re genuinely unsure (for example, if you’re applying for a research position and can’t tell if they want the short or long version), it’s perfectly fine to email and ask for clarification. You could say something like, “I noticed the position asks for a CV. Could you confirm whether you’re looking for a brief summary or a comprehensive academic CV?” This shows attention to detail rather than confusion.
Applying for international positions
If you’re applying for jobs overseas or with international companies, pay attention to local conventions. When applying for positions in the UK, use “CV” in your cover letter and file names even though you’re submitting what you’d normally call a resume. When applying for US positions, use “resume” unless it’s specifically an academic role.
The document itself should be tailored to local expectations too. British CVs often include a brief “personal statement” at the top and might include date of birth, while American resumes typically don’t. Do a bit of research into the conventions for wherever you’re applying.
The bottom line
Don’t get too hung up on terminology. For the vast majority of jobs in Australia, you need a well-written, one to two-page document that shows why you’re suited to the role, is free from errors, and presents your experience clearly. Whether the job ad calls it a resume or a CV, that’s what they’re actually asking for.
Save the comprehensive academic CV for when you’re actually pursuing an academic or research career. Until then, keep things concise, relevant, and focused on what matters for each specific job application.
