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CV vs Resume: What's the Difference and Which Do You Need?

CV and resume are often used interchangeably, but they aren't the same document everywhere. Using the wrong one — a 3-page CV for a US startup, or a photo-less one-pager for a German apprenticeship — signals you don't know the market. Here's the breakdown.

The short version

UK and most of Europe: a CV covers your career history in 1–2 A4 pages, often with a photo (except the UK, where photos are uncommon). US: a resume is a concise 1-page summary tailored to the role, never with a photo.

Academia and research worldwide: a CV can run many pages listing publications, grants and teaching. For every other industry job, keep it to 1–2 pages.

What to include in each

Both need the same core: contact details, a 2-line summary, reverse-chronological experience with quantified bullets, education, and a tight skills section. The CV version can add languages, certifications and a few more roles; the resume version cuts everything that isn't evidence for this specific job.

This builder exports a clean 1–2 page A4 PDF that works for both: trim to one page for US applications, use the full two pages (plus photo) for EU applications.

Photo: yes or no?

Germany, France, Nordics, hospitality and retail: photo expected or welcome — upload one and show it in colour or black & white. UK, US, Ireland: leave it off to keep the focus on experience (and to sidestep bias filters).

The builder lets you switch per application: show, restyle or hide the photo in one click without touching anything else.

Quick answers