5 Differences between CV, Resume and Biodata
Many of our visitors often ask, “What is the difference between a CV, resume, and biodata?” This article aims to clarify these differences, explain their significance, and help you determine which one to use based on your application type.
What is a CV?
A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a detailed summary of your skills, experience, and education. It typically extends beyond two pages and provides comprehensive information about your academic and professional history.
A CV is primarily used for:
– Graduate school applications
– Academic and scientific research positions
– Admissions to graduate programs
– Research and consulting roles across various fields
– Fellowships or grants
– Job applications in Nigeria or internationally
– Teaching and upper-level administrative roles in higher education
– Leadership positions in professional associations
– Speaking engagements
– Editorial review boards for publishing
– School administration roles
– Independent consulting
– Academic departmental reviews and tenure evaluations
Example of a CV:
A CV is particularly beneficial for fresh graduates, professionals seeking a career change, and those applying for academic positions.
You may wonder:
Can I use a resume instead of a CV?
In certain scenarios, you should use a resume instead of a CV. A CV is typically necessary for international, academic, scientific, or research positions. Conversely, a resume is the preferred document format for most job applications in the U.S. and Canada.
What is a Resume?
A resume is a document that summarises your work experience, education, skills, and achievements for potential employers. This document is usually required as part of a job application and typically spans one to two pages, especially for individuals with fewer than ten years of professional experience. For management staff, senior executives, or academics, resumes may extend to three pages or more.
Resumes should exclude personal details such as religion, age, marital status, and any irrelevant work experience not related to the job you are applying for. A resume is best suited for middle- and senior-level positions, where experience and specific skills take precedence over education.
Example of a Resume:
Here is a step-by-step guide for writing a resume or CV, along with a downloadable format to help you create the right CV for that well-deserved role you’re pursuing. Lastly, if biodata is required for your application, here’s how to approach it.
What is Bio-Data
Biodata is short for Biographical Data. It is an older term that often refers to a resume or CV.
Example of Biodata:
Biodata typically includes personal details such as date of birth, religion, gender, race, marital status, address, and phone number, followed by a chronological list of education and work experience.
5 Differences between CV, Resume and Biodata
| S\No. | CV | Resume | Bio Data |
| 1 | CV means Curriculum Vitae is a Latin term that means a course of life | A resume is a French word for a summary | BioData is a shortened form of Biographical Data |
| 2. | Emphasis on academic accomplishments. | Emphasizes skills | Emphasises describing the individual |
| 3 | Can be a living document updated frequently. | Usually changes with job requirements | Usually, it is constantly subject to minimal updates. |
| 4 | Used when applying for academic, scientific or medical positions, grants or fellowships | Preferred in the US and Canada for job applications | Preferred in India and some government jobs in Nigeria |
| 5 | The length depends on experience, including publications, posters, presentation awards, fellowship, etc. | No longer than two pages | The length depends on the description of the individual |
In countries like Nigeria, South Africa and Austria, resumes, CVs and Biodata are interchangeably used when applying for job roles.
Are there any differences not listed? Leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you.