Answers to the Main Questions / Write a resume
Resume vs CV — what is the difference?
InsightGuidanceAI amplification
Insight
In the United States, a resume is a short targeted marketing document (usually one or two pages). A CV (curriculum vitae) is a long academic record of publications, teaching, grants, and appointments. Use a CV for academic, research, and many international applications; use a resume for most U.S. industry jobs.
When not to. In some countries “CV” means what Americans call a resume. Follow the local posting.
Guidance
- Read the posting. If it says resume, send a resume. If it says CV and the role is academic, send a CV.
- Do not pad a resume into a fake CV by adding pages of duties.
- If you need a federal resume, that is a third format (USAJOBS).
AI amplification
Optional. Copy this into ChatGPT or a similar tool if you want a first draft. Replace the [PASTE] sections with your own material. The work stays in that tool; we do not save it here.
Prompt to copy
Rules: Do not invent employers, job titles, dates, metrics, team sizes, or outcomes. If something is missing, ask me or write [unknown]. Keep hedges such as "approximately" and "more than" exactly as I stated them. Never turn a qualitative result into a number. I will paste a posting and my materials. Tell me whether this application wants a U.S.-style resume, an academic CV, or a federal resume, in 3–5 sentences. Do not rewrite the document unless I ask. Posting: [PASTE]