From Résumé To CV

The terms résumé and a CV, or Curriculum Vitae, are used interchangeably. For the record, a résumé is a convincing introduction and summary of your skills and experience with respect to a specific field, industry or job opening. Conversely, a CV is an in-depth record of your academic performance, credentials as well as your accomplishments to date.

CV

As a general rule, students and professionals should have a "master document" of sorts that serves as their résumé. This is the one document that you update throughout your development.

Résumé

This being said, every time that you seek to inquire about an opening or an opportunity, you should take your CV and modify, summarize and emphasize the key elements to turn it into a convincing résumé.

Key Points: CV Or Résumé

There are two main problems with students CVs or résumés. No, it is not a lack of job experience.

First, students tend to state traits without giving examples. Do not say that you have interpersonal skills… give examples! If you served as a tutor and gave classes, chances are that you have great presentation skills. If you served as a bartender or barmaid, you have interpersonal skills. If you worked as a customer service representative, then you know how to please clients. If you were a football player, you can excel in a team environment

Second, if you do have experience, do not simply mention the position you held. Instead, explain what you did that made you stand out. Did you help a process go faster? Did you save money? When you did the deed, you may not have thought it was related to business, but many obvious tasks we execute are related. If you ordered inventory at a store, realized you were wasting products and improved procurement, then you implemented a Just-In-Time (JIT) system. Always make yourself look better than you are.

Cover Letter

A cover letter is often the difference between your résumé getting a second read and having it tossed in the recycling bin. The goal is to help you land the interview.