Difference between CV, Resume and Bio-Data

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Difference between CV, Resume and BioData

 

People use the words RESUME, C.V., and BIO-DATA interchangeably for the document

highlighting skills, education, and experience that a candidate submits when

applying for a job. On the surface level, all the three mean the same. However,

there are intricate differences.

 

RESUME

Resume Is a French word meaning " summary " , and true to the word meaning,

signifies a summary of one's employment, education, and other skills, used in

applying for a new position. A resume seldom exceeds one side of an A4 sheet,

and at the most two sides. They do not list out all the education and

qualifications, but only highlight specific skills customized to target the job

profile in question. A resume is usually broken into bullets and written in the

third person to appear objective and formal. A good resume starts with a brief

Summary of Qualifications, followed by Areas of Strength or Industry Expertise

in keywords, followed by Professional Experience in reverse chronological order.

Focus is on the most recent experiences, and prior experiences summarized. The

content aims at providing the reader a balance of responsibilities and

accomplishments for each position. After Work experience come Professional

Affiliations, Computer Skills, and Education

 

C.V. or CURRICULUM VITAE

 

C.V Is a Latin word meaning " course of life " . Curriculum Vitae (C.V.) is

therefore a regular or particular course of study pertaining to education and

life. A C.V. is more detailed than a resume, usually 2 to 3 pages, but can run

even longer as per the requirement. A C.V. generally lists out every skills,

jobs, degrees, and professional affiliations the applicant has acquired, usually

in chronological order. A C.V. displays general talent rather than specific

skills for any specific positions.

 

BIO-DATA

 

Bio Data the short form for Biographical Data, is the old-fashioned terminology

for Resume or C.V. The emphasis in a bio data is on personal particulars like

date of birth, religion, sex, race, nationality, residence, martial status, and

the like. Next comes a chronological listing of education and experience. The

things normally found in a resume, that is specific skills for the job in

question comes last, and are seldom included. Bio-data also includes

applications made in specified formats as required by the company.

 

A resume is ideally suited when applying for middle and senior level positions,

where experience and specific skills rather than education is important. A C.V.,

on the other hand is the preferred option for fresh graduates, people looking

for a career change, and those applying for academic positions. The term

bio-data is mostly used in India while applying to government jobs, or when

applying for research grants and other situations where one has to submit

descriptive essays. Resumes present a summary of highlights and allow the

prospective employer to scan through the document visually or electronically, to

see if your skills match their available positions. A good resume can do that

very effectively, while a C.V. cannot. A bio-data could still perform this role,

especially if the format happens to be the one recommended by the employer.

Personal information such as age, sex, religion and others, and hobbies are

never mentioned in a resume. Many people include such particulars in the C.V.

However, this is neither required nor considered in the US market. A Bio-data,

on the other hand always include such personal particulars.