CV to Resume Conversion
Within the United States, most employers will ask for a resume. However, when applying for a U.S. postdoc or faculty position in academia or a position outside the U.S. you may be asked for a CV, or curriculum vitae. Below we briefly explain key differences between these documents  Watch our PhD Career Strategy Bootcamp for more detailed tips  on crafting an effective resume that is tailored to the job.
- Content: A CV describes all of your relevant experiences to an academic position, including teaching, research, and mentoring. This document is unlikely to change substantially among applications. In contrast, a resume highlights experiences relevant to a particular job and is often modified when applying to different positions.
- Emphasis: A CV presents a thorough description of all your academic work, including research and teaching. A resume prioritizes only relevant experiences and highlights transferable and technical skills. Resumes are results-oriented, providing quantitative, measurable details when possible.
- Length:Â A CV is a comprehensive picture of your academic history and may vary in length; it does not have a page limit. In contrast, a resume is concise and strategic: usually 1 page for Undergraduates, 1-2 pages for Master’s students, 2-3 pages maximum for PhDs and postdocs. Some employers will accept only a 1-page resume, so be sure to check.
- Language: Usually a CV uses titles and nouns to describe your tasks, responsibilities, and the functions you performed, while a resume uses action verbs to highlight skills, experiences, and achievements.
- Extracurricular or outside activities: Often a CV will not contain activities unless they are directly relevant to your academic research and teaching. A resume will strategically highlight activities if they demonstrate key transferable skills valued by the employer.
