In casual conversation the words "CV" and "resume" are often used interchangeably. In professional settings — and especially across borders — they mean different things.
The American resume
A resume is a short, tailored, 1–2 page summary of your relevant experience for a specific role. It is the standard for job applications in the United States and Canada.
The international CV
A CV (curriculum vitae) is a longer, more comprehensive document, often 2–4+ pages. It covers your full work history, education, publications, certifications, and sometimes references. In the UK, Europe, Asia, and Africa, "CV" is what people send for almost every job.
So which do you send?
- Applying in the US or Canada: send a resume (unless the role is academic or research-focused, in which case send a CV).
- Applying anywhere else: send a CV.
- Academic, scientific, or medical roles, worldwide: send a CV.
ApplyRaft builds both. For a resume-style application, a compact single-column template such as Fine Margin or Graphite Band keeps everything on one page; for a full CV, a classic layout such as Meridian Classic or Standard Rule runs to as many pages as you need.