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A resume for each occasion…

Did you know that 75% of qualified candidates never make it past the initial screening because they used the wrong resume format?

I see this happen all the time - talented professionals getting rejected simply because their application documents don't match what recruiters expect.

Your "resume" isn't universal, and what works for a tech startup in San Francisco might get tossed immediately by a university in London or a government agency in Washington.

I've spent years helping job seekers navigate this confusing landscape, and here's what I've learned: the name of your document matters just as much as what's in it.

Is it a CV or a resume? Well, that depends.

The Resume vs. CV Confusion

Ever notice how the terms "resume" and "CV" get thrown around like they're the same thing? They're not.

Some key differences:

• North American Resume: Think of this as your career highlights reel. It's brief (1-2 pages), highly targeted, and focuses only on relevant experience. You're expected to customize it for each job application.

• Traditional CV (Curriculum Vitae): This is your complete professional life story. Typically running multiple pages, it lists every position, publication, and achievement throughout your career with no length limit.

What makes this confusing?

In North America, "resume" means the short document, while "CV" refers to the longer academic version.

But cross the Atlantic, and suddenly everyone's using "CV" to describe what Americans call a resume.

This regional naming difference has tripped up countless job seekers applying internationally.

Academic CV

Academic hiring committees don't want a resume—they want a comprehensive CV that showcases your scholarly journey.

What is it? An Academic CV is a detailed chronological record of your entire academic career, with no page limit and comprehensive documentation of all scholarly activities.

Who is it for?

• Professors and academic researchers

• PhD candidates and postdoctoral fellows

• Scientists seeking grants or positions at research institutions

Key components:

• Complete publication list (articles, books, chapters)

• All teaching experience and courses taught

• Research projects and grants received

• Conference presentations and invited talks

• Academic service and committee work

Unlike a resume, which gets shorter as you advance in your career, an academic CV grows longer over time—sometimes reaching 15+ pages for established scholars.

Note: Many universities and colleges provide CV templates at no charge on their career sites. Examples:

• University of Toronto

• University of Alberta

• Penn State University

• Harvard

US Federal Government Resume

Applying for a government job? Your standard one-page resume won't cut it.

What is it? A federal resume is an exceptionally detailed document that follows strict guidelines established by the Office of Personnel Management. These typically run 3-5 pages (sometimes longer) and contain significantly more detail than private sector resumes.

Who is it for?

• Anyone applying to positions within US federal agencies

• Military personnel transitioning to civilian federal jobs

• Contractors seeking government employment

Key requirements:

• Personal information including citizenship and veterans' preference

• Detailed job descriptions with exact dates (month/day/year)

• Specific salary history for each position

• Supervisor names and contact information

• Training courses with hours completed

• Special formatting for USAJOBS platform

The federal resume process demands precision. A single missing element can disqualify you automatically, regardless of your qualifications.

I've seen brilliant candidates rejected simply because they used their standard resume instead of the required federal format.

A great guide on building US Federal Resumes can be found here.

Europass CV and International Variations

Your resume's format should match the cultural expectations of where you're applying—one size definitely doesn't fit all.

Europass CV The standardized format used across the European Union to make qualifications and skills easily understood between countries.

• Required for some EU positions and educational applications

• Highly structured with standardized sections

• Includes language proficiency levels using CEFR standards

• Often requires a photo (unlike North American resumes)

Regional Variations

Asia

• Japan: The "rirekisho" is a handwritten application on a specific form

• China: Expect to include photo, age, marital status, and even height/weight

• South Korea: Similar to Japan with standardized formats and personal details

Middle East

• Personal information is standard (age, marital status, religion)

• Photos are expected on applications

• Length tends to be more comprehensive than North American resumes

South America

• More similar to European CVs with personal details included

• Often requires certification/notarization of documents

• May need to be translated into Spanish or Portuguese

What's acceptable in one region could be inappropriate or even illegal in another—particularly regarding personal information.

Choosing the Right Format

The stakes are high when it comes to selecting the correct document format for your application.

When to use a North American Resume

• Applying to private sector jobs in the US or Canada

• When space is limited and relevance is critical

• For most business and technical positions

When to use an Academic CV

• University teaching or research positions

• Scientific research roles

• Grant applications

• Publishing academic work

When to use a US Federal Resume

• Any application through USAJOBS

• All US federal government positions

• Some state and local government roles that follow federal guidelines

When to use a Europass or international format

• Working abroad in the target country's preferred style

• International organizations with specific requirements

• When applying to foreign companies with headquarters in that region

Remember that each document serves a specific purpose in specific contexts. Using the wrong format signals that you haven't done your research or don't understand the culture you're applying to.

A few of my favourite finds this week…

• Using job interviews to expand networks aligns with LinkedIn’s “Open to Work” feature (link)

• New trend on the horizon: Federal government employees looking to jump ship (link)

• How to talk about AI in an interview (link)

• If you’re a Severance fan (link)

• Tips for landing a coding job in 2025 (link)

This week’s poll 👇