CV vs Resume in Australia—What’s the Difference in Meaning?

Imagine you’re in your class asking a simple question, and what the professor responds with is—

Oh! It actually depends on a number of factors…

And from that moment, you knew. It was a mistake.

It was no mistake, though, to try to find out the outcome of CV vs resume sparring. My answer is not one of the professor’s. I am to the point. Let’s get to it then!

This guide will show you:

• Whether a CV is the same as a resume with a template.
• The difference between the CV and resume meaning in Australia and other parts of the world for you to acknowledge before sending a job application.

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CV / Resume Template

Read to find out: 

• Is a CV a resume in Australia?
• What to include in a CV and resume?
• CV vs resume in various parts of the world

Let’s jump right in—

Is a CV a resume in Australia?

Yes.

A curriculum vitae (CV) and resume are the same things in Australia. They both are a simple representation of your work history, summarising the professional highlights and skills you’ve gained throughout your career that you use to apply for jobs in the private or public sector.

What to include in a CV and resume?

Your CV or resume should include the following sections:

• Heading
• Professional statement
• Employment history
• Education
• Key skills and personal attributes
• Other: certificates, awards, foreign languages, hobbies & interests.

CV vs resume in various parts of the world

Most of the time, the terms CV and resume aren’t used interchangeably.

In the US and Canada, the term CV applies only to lengthy applications for the academy or research placements. To apply for jobs, you should use a resume that’s usually a one-page document—the one you’d use in Australia.

Also, don’t get confused if you apply for jobs in the UK or New Zealand. They use the term CV more often but it still is your resume—a summary of relevant experience with an overview of your professional achievements. 

In India and South Africa, both terms are used quite frequently and refer to a resume-like document.

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Key Takeaway

Let’s do some recap:

• Resumes and CVs are the same things. They're short and summarise the main highlights from your career. You can use them to apply for any kind of job.
• There are a number of sections you should include in your resume and CV: heading, professional statement, experience, education, skills, and other additional information.
• In different parts of the world, CVs and resumes have different meanings.

And that’s that.

Please tell us—

Do you have questions about the Australian CV or resume? Did you know of the differences between them before the article? Are the differences between the resume and CV still confusing to you?

Give us a shout in the comments! Let’s get the conversation rolling.