October 11, 2015

Resume Writer - A “CV” versus a “Résumé.” What is the Difference?

If you are NOT a professional resume writer, the question posed within the title, above, needs clarification. No; a “CV” is NOT the new way to define, or describe a résumé!     
 
The term “CV” has been used extensively in Europe, and elsewhere abroad for decades. A Curriculum Vitae (Latin – meaning “[the] course of [my] life”) is used in America for those rare professionals that require a more lengthy document to showcase and market certain skills, achievements, advanced education, certifications, publications, public speaking engagements, TV appearances, seminars, et al. Very few Americans (A) require such a document, and (B) most American DMs (hiring decision-makers) will never read it since any “excess” means little to nothing to separating the candidates. 

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Ergo, a strong, market brand followed with a summary of professional, portable/meaningful (to the DM) soft and hard skills, achievements, education, certifications needs to be presented to entice the DM to go further than the typical 3 to 7-second skimming of your document…a well-worded summary. Therefore, a resume (the accents aigu are seldom used in the U.S.A.) is what is required (French – meaning “summary”) in America for virtually all positions and virtually all American DMs. Remember, these are prepared expressly for DMs. They are not, or should not be an autobiography!
 
I realize that people and groups on social media come from virtually all countries. I have a resume client at present from Nigeria, although I reside in Texas! I’m NOT trying to “pick the fly poop out of the pepper,” but to set the record straight. A CV AND A RESUME ARE NOT SYNONYMOUS TECHNICALLY, OR BY DEFINITION (only, perhaps, by national custom).
 
Allow me to be clear to those Americans seeking positions. A resume is intended to accomplish only one thing – TO ATTRACT INTERVIEWS! It will not earn you The Offer; only great interviews will do that!        

Resume Writer - Please Take Note !

Resumes MUST be marketing masterpieces to attract interviews!!   So, refer to it as what it is; a RESUME, not a CV! I prefer “Professional Summary” over the term “resume,” but you be the judge! Let our friends in Canada, Europe, and elsewhere continue to call their document a CV, which by definition it is generally not…it’s just a customary title for their resume.