Is a CV the same as a resume in the UK?

Yes, for most jobs. In the UK and Ireland "CV" is the everyday word for the 1–2 page document that Americans call a resume. The long academic CV also exists in the UK, but only for academic and research roles.

Can I send a resume when a job asks for a CV?

Outside academia, usually yes. In the UK, Europe, the Middle East, India and South Africa, "CV" normally means the same short document. If the role is academic, medical or research, the employer means the long academic CV.

Should a resume or CV have a photo?

In the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland, leave it out. In Germany, Austria, Switzerland and parts of southern and eastern Europe a professional photo is still common, though optional. Follow local norms and the job advert.

Which paper size should I use?

US Letter in the US and Canada, A4 almost everywhere else. For files sent online the difference rarely matters. MakeCV exports A4.

Resume vs CV: What's the Difference?

By the MakeCV team · Updated October 27, 2026

"Resume" and "CV" mean different things depending on where you apply. In the US and Canada they are two different documents. In the UK, Ireland and much of the world, "CV" is simply the normal word for a resume. Here is what each one is, how they differ, and which to send.

The short answer

	Resume (US/Canada) and CV (UK/Europe)	Academic CV (everywhere)
Purpose	Win an interview for one specific job	Complete record of an academic or research career
Length	1–2 pages	No limit; often 3–10+ pages
Tailored per job?	Yes, every time	Mostly stable; updated as you publish
Typical sections	Summary, experience, education, skills	Education, research, publications, grants, teaching, conferences, references
Used for	Almost all private- and public-sector jobs	Faculty, postdoc, PhD, research, some medical roles and fellowships

So the real distinction is not "resume vs CV" but short, targeted document vs long academic record. MakeCV builds the short, targeted one, which is what nearly every job advert wants, whatever it is called.

Country by country

United States and Canada

A resume is the standard job application document: one page for early-career candidates, up to two for experienced ones. A CV means the academic version, used when applying to universities, research institutes, grad school and some medical positions. US resumes leave out photos, date of birth and marital status.

United Kingdom and Ireland

A CV is the standard document, and it is the same length and purpose as an American resume: usually two pages. "Resume" is understood but rarely used. Photos, date of birth and marital status are left out. See our UK-style CV template guide.

Continental Europe

"CV" is the usual word. Norms vary more: in Germany, Austria and Switzerland a Lebenslauf traditionally includes a professional photo, and some employers still expect it; in the Netherlands and Nordic countries photos are becoming less common. Many EU employers accept the Europass CV format, but a well-designed 1–2 page CV is equally acceptable.

Australia and New Zealand

Both words are used, often interchangeably. Documents tend to run two to three pages and often include referees (or "references available on request").

India, the Middle East, South Africa

"CV" and "resume" are used interchangeably for the short document. In the Gulf states, photos and nationality are still commonly included.

What goes on each

Resume / UK-style CV

Contact details, professional summary, work experience with results, education, skills, plus optional projects, certifications and languages.

Academic CV adds

Publications, research interests, grants and funding, teaching, conference talks, academic service, awards, and full references.

If you are moving from academia into industry, you need to cut an academic CV down to a resume. Keep the research that proves relevant skills, translate it into business outcomes ("analysed 2 million records in Python"), and move publications to a single line or a link.

Photos, personal details and paper size

Photo: leave it out in the US, Canada, the UK and Ireland. Optional and sometimes expected in German-speaking countries and parts of Europe and the Middle East. In MakeCV, Minimalist has no photo area, and Executive only shows one if you upload it.
Date of birth, marital status, nationality: leave them out in North America, the UK and Ireland. Include only if local norms or the advert ask for them.
Paper size: US Letter (8.5 × 11 in) in the US and Canada, A4 (210 × 297 mm) elsewhere. MakeCV exports A4, which prints fine on Letter with slightly smaller margins. More in resume format.

Which should you send?

Read the advert. If it says "CV" and the job is not academic, send your 1–2 page resume and call it a CV.
If the job is a faculty, research or PhD position, send a full academic CV.
If unsure, ask the recruiter. It is a normal question.

Ready to write one? Our step-by-step resume guide walks through every section.