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 career strategy workshop on crafting an effective resume (on Yale Connect) for more detailed tips.
- 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.
