What is the Difference Between a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a Resume?

The CV and the resume are terms used in the context of job searching. Both aim to concisely present key information about a candidate. However, the difference lies in the use of these terms in different parts of the world. In the United States and Canada, the term "resume" is more commonly used, while in Germany, the term "CV" is more frequent. Europeans also tend to present a CV rather than a resume when applying for jobs.

What Should You Include in Your CV?

When writing your CV, it's important to focus on how to add and structure your information. Here are the essential elements you should never forget to include:

• Personal Information
• Personal Profile Statement
• Qualifications
• Skills
• Work Experience
• Education
• Awards and Honors/Achievements
• Hobbies
• References

We'll now give you more detailed instructions on each of these elements, which should all appear in your CV.

Personal Information

At the top of your CV, you need to mention your contact details such as your name, address, email address, date of birth, phone number, and nationality. Don't forget to write your name in bold at the beginning.

Personal Profile Statement

This section will allow employers to learn more about your personality traits. You need to mention your specific skills, experience, and field of study. Additionally, don't forget to mention your dream job, which should match the position you're applying for. You should be brief, around 5-7 sentences.

Qualifications and Skills

In the context of a job application, qualifications and skills can be considered interchangeable. But in some cases, they differ from each other depending on the job description. Qualifications refer to the requirement for obtaining a job, while skills are often used as an asset to make your CV more interesting and advantageous.

For example, when you apply for a marketing director position, you need to have solid knowledge in the marketing field. But to impress employers, you need to have good communication or critical thinking as a skill.

Work Experience and Education

You shouldn't focus too much on the order of these two sections. Nevertheless, for work experience, you should write all information in chronological order: the most recent event should come first.

For example, you can present your experience by year (2020 -> 2019 -> 2018). For each position, try to write the company name, the duration of employment, and a brief description of your duties (with key points, if possible).

Awards and Honors/Achievements

To make a good impression with your CV, mention a few achievements or awards you're most proud of. Not just awards from recent years, but also achievements in your most recent job. If you're applying for a sales position, for example, you should add the growth percentage you achieved through your skills or management.

References

In Germany, it's very common to include references from your former employers in your CV, especially from your most recent job. These references should contain necessary information such as their phone numbers and professions. Your former supervisors know you professionally and understand your character. These elements will make your CV more credible to employers.

Other Supplementary Elements to Consider!

Your CV should not exceed 2 pages. Try to be concise and brief, as employers don't have much time to analyze everything. Don't forget to sign at the end, as a signature is required for all German CVs. Decorations are not always useful for German CVs. It's more important to focus on the structure and content of your CV. It's perfectly normal to modify your CV for different applications. Different companies will have different requirements for each position. So don't forget to read the job description carefully first. Your CV should be tailored to the employers' needs. Every element of the CV should be tied to the application goal. Your hobbies should be included to highlight your skills.

Photo: no selfies! It should be professional and clear.

Conclusion

The CV gives employers a first impression. When writing a CV, it's important to structure and present your information in a clear and concise manner. A good CV will give you more chances of finding a good job in Germany.