CV vs resume: what's the difference (and which do you need)?

The confusion is understandable: in the US, "CV" means a full academic record — every publication, presentation, and grant, often running to many pages, used almost exclusively for academic, research, and medical faculty positions. In the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, "CV" is simply the everyday term for what Americans call a resume — a career-focused document most job seekers use for every application.

What actually differs beyond the name

Once you get past terminology, the practical differences between a US resume and a UK-style CV are real:

• Length — a US resume is typically one page (two for senior roles); a UK CV commonly runs two pages regardless of seniority.
• Opening section — UK CVs usually open with a short "Personal Statement"; US resumes typically skip straight to a summary or directly into experience.
• Personal details — both generally avoid photos and date of birth today, but this convention is more strictly enforced in the US given EEOC discrimination concerns.
• Education detail — UK CVs tend to list degree classification and grades more consistently than US resumes, even years after graduation.

Which one should you write?

Write for the market you are applying to, not the one you are from. Applying to a UK employer from the US? Expect two pages and a personal statement. Applying to a US employer as a UK candidate? Cut it to one page, drop the personal statement, and lead with quantified achievements. Resumease's international template category is built around exactly this distinction — the underlying content stays yours, the structure adapts to the market.