What is the difference between a Job Application, a Resume and a CV?

Knowing the difference between a job application, a resume, and a CV is extremely important. Applying for a job includes two things: submitting the job application and submitting the resume or CV. At first glimpse, you can be mistaken that these are similar documents with similar information, but that’s not the case. 

👁 difference between a Job Application, a Resume and a CV

Let's discover what is the difference between an application and a resume or CV. So that it can help to understand the whole process of applying for job opportunities.

What is a Job Application?

For an employer, a Job application serves as a document to compare your profile fast with other candidates. It covers your career and educational background. It also includes personal information like your name, Date of birth, Location, Current Salary, or Expected Salary. 

It may also request your previous employer's details so they can connect with them for your Background Verification process. The job application may or may not include information like training and specialization. Typically, this document will be 1 or 2 pages, and it usually includes a statement stating that the information you provide on the application is true and accurate. It also serves as an intent to express your interest in applying for a specific position or a job opportunity.

This is what the job application looks like:

👁 Job Application

What is a Resume?

A resume is considered the most vital document required from job applicants. Your resume is your letter of introduction, which includes your education, skills, abilities, and work experience. You can also add additional information like training, internships, certifications, and language proficiency. The purpose of the resume is to provide the recruiter with a brief overview of your work history and it can be of 1 or 2 pages. It can be used when you are applying for an industry-specific role in the public or private sector. 

There are three types of resumes: 

1. Chronological Resume: Chronological resumes mainly focus on your work experience. In this type of resume, you have to make a section of work experience and list them in order keeping the most recent experience at the top. It is used when you're experienced and seeking an opportunity in the same field or when you were always in a similar job.
    
2. Functional Resume: If you're a fresher, want to switch your career to a different domain, or are a job seeker with an employment gap looking for a new job opportunity, then this type of format can be ideal for you as it focuses more on your professional skills and areas of expertise rather than your work history. It is used when you have a long period of unemployment or switch to a new industry.
    
3. Combination Resume: Combination resumes are also known as hybrid resumes. In these types of resumes, you can highlight your skills and present your work history, but if you are someone with little work experience, then it may not be the best format to use. It can be used when you're a senior-level candidate with good skills and experience. 

This is what a Resume looks like:

👁 Resume

What is a Curriculum Vitae(CV)?

A curriculum vitae, often abbreviated as a CV is an in-depth document that is used by job applicants in order to showcase the whole course of your academic details, whole work history, research, publication, professional details, and other achievements. It majorly emphasizes your skills, and most of the time you need to submit a resume for a job opening. 

A CV is used when applying for opportunities in academia, Medical, Law, Research, etc. A CV is usually longer than a resume. It is usually 2-3 pages long, but it can also go up to 10+ pages if you have a lot of experience to show. 

This is what a CV looks like:

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Difference between Job Application, Resume, and CV:   

Basis	Job Application	Resume	Curriculum Vitae
Meaning	It is the official form that employers ask all applicants for a position to fill out.	Your resume is your letter of introduction, which includes your education, skills, abilities, and work experience.	A curriculum vitae is an in-depth document that is used by job applicants in order to showcase the whole course of your academic details, work history, etc.
Personal Information	You have to provide personal information like name, number, employer details, etc. necessarily.	You have to provide more details about your work experience, skills, etc.	In this, you have to provide more details about your academic accomplishment, research, and publication.
Salary Details	Salary details are asked to be filled in the Job Application.	Salary details or expectations are not included in the resume.	CTC or salary details are not a part of a CV.
Submission	It is to be filled out while submitting your profile for a job opportunity.	It is directly submitted to the employer or recruiters.	It is submitted to the employer or any academic, medical, or research institute which is hiring.
No. of Pages	No defined number of pages.	1-2 pages maximum.	It can be of as many pages, can also go up to 10 pages.
Suitability	It depends and varies on the company you are applying for.	It is used when applying for industry or in the public sector.	It is used when applying for positions, like academic, medical, and research.