What is the difference between a CV AND a resume AND when is each required?

The primary distinction between a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a resume lies in their length, purpose, and level of detail. A Curriculum Vitae (Latin for “course of life”) is an exhaustive, chronological academic and professional document spanning two or more pages that details all publications, teaching credentials, clinical trials, and career milestones. A resume (French for “summary”) is a tightly curated, one- to two-page document tailored specifically to highlight qualifications relevant to a target corporate role. In talent acquisition, understanding this distinction prevents recruiters from misjudging candidates across different geographic markets and functional disciplines. In the United States and Canada, resumes are mandatory for private sector corporate roles, while CVs are reserved strictly for academic, medical, and scientific R&D positions. Conversely, in India, the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, the terms are frequently used interchangeably in common parlance, though senior corporate resumes often extend into multi-page hybrid CVs.