RESOURCE TYPE:

Information sheet KIT TYPE: Tool kit

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RSUM AND A CV?

A rsum is a document that summarizes your education, experiences, and competencies. Its designed to introduce you to an employer and highlight your qualifications for a specific job or type of work. A curriculum vitae (CV) is a more comprehensive document that details ALL your past education, experiences, and competencies, including public presentations, academic writing and professional development. Its designed to introduce you to employers in academics, advanced research, post-secondary teaching and fine arts. The terms rsum and CV are sometimes used interchangeably. However, a rsum is used for work search, and a CV is used when applying for contracts, advanced research or post-secondary teaching positions. For those who use the two terms synonymously, the terms academic rsum or academic CV are often used to differentiate between advanced research and post-secondary teaching documents.

Why develop a rsum or CV?

Both a rsum and a CV are meant to encourage an employer or a supervisor to consider you: as an employee as a candidate for further studies as the right fit for a contract

Key differences
CVs are focused on academic work with an emphasis on research and teaching while rsums are focused on non CVs aim to provide comprehensive information while rsums aim to summarize key information CVs are often long 5, 10, 20 or more pages - while rsums are generally 1 to 2 pages maximum
academic work with an emphasis on related competencies (skills, knowledge and attributes)

When to use a rsum

You can use a rsum when youre: applying for work networking with potential employers applying for some graduate schools, co-op programs, internships, scholarships, etc. participating in events like career fairs or recruiting events See the WHAT IS A RSUM AND WHAT CONTENT SHOULD IT INCLUDE? info sheet for details.

When to use a CV
You can use a CV when youre: applying for work and/or contracts in academics, advanced research, post-secondary teaching, and fine arts applying for graduate school, scholarships, etc. showcasing your background prior to a presentation See the WHAT IS A CV AND WHAT SHOULD IT INCLUDE? info sheet for more information, or check out the CV TEMPLATE info sheet.

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www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer