Resume vs. CV: What Different Countries Expect (Global Guide)

One Size Does Not Fit All

The terms "resume" and "CV" are used interchangeably in some countries and mean completely different things in others. The format, content, and even the personal information expected varies dramatically around the world.

If you're applying internationally, using the wrong format can disqualify you before anyone reads a word.

United States

The standard: Resume (not CV)

• Length: 1-2 pages maximum
• Photo: Never include (anti-discrimination laws)
• Personal info: Name, email, phone, LinkedIn. No age, gender, marital status, or nationality
• Format: Reverse chronological, achievement-focused
• Special notes: ATS optimization is critical; most companies use automated screening

What stands out:

• Quantified achievements with dollar amounts
• Action verbs leading every bullet point
• Clean, ATS-friendly formatting

United Kingdom

The standard: CV

• Length: 2 pages (standard), 1 page (for early career)
• Photo: Generally not included
• Personal info: Name, email, phone, location (city only). No age, gender, or nationality
• Format: Similar to US but "CV" is the standard term
• Special notes: "Personal Statement" (summary) is expected at the top

Key difference from US:

The UK uses "CV" for what Americans call a "resume." An academic CV in the UK is still longer-form.

Germany

The standard: Lebenslauf

• Length: 1-2 pages
• Photo: Expected (professional headshot, typically in the upper right corner)
• Personal info: Date of birth, nationality, and marital status are commonly included
• Format: Tabular layout is traditional (two columns: dates on left, details on right)
• Special notes: Chronological order can be either forward or reverse; signatures and dates at the bottom were traditional but are becoming less common

What stands out:

• Precision and completeness
• Certificates and qualifications listed in detail
• References to specific training programs (Ausbildung)

France

The standard: CV

• Length: 1 page (strongly preferred)
• Photo: Expected
• Personal info: Age, nationality, and sometimes marital status included
• Format: Concise, often with a skills section prominent
• Special notes: Cover letters ("lettre de motivation") are very important in France

India

The standard: Resume or CV (used interchangeably)

• Length: 2-3 pages common, even for early career
• Photo: Often included
• Personal info: Date of birth, gender, father's name, marital status sometimes included (though this is modernizing)
• Format: Detailed with a "Declaration" section at the bottom
• Special notes: Detailed project descriptions are expected for IT roles

Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar)

The standard: CV

• Length: 2-3 pages
• Photo: Expected
• Personal info: Age, nationality, visa status, and sometimes religion
• Format: Detailed with personal information prominent
• Special notes: Visa/work permit status is important; nationality can affect eligibility for certain roles

Japan

The standard: Rirekisho

• Length: Specific standardized form (JIS standard)
• Photo: Required (3cm x 4cm, attached to form)
• Personal info: Date of birth, gender, commute time to office
• Format: Highly structured template with specific fields
• Special notes: Handwritten forms were traditional; typed is now accepted

Australia

The standard: Resume or CV

• Length: 2-3 pages
• Photo: Not included
• Personal info: Similar to US/UK — no personal details beyond contact info
• Format: Achievement-focused, similar to US style
• Special notes: Referees (references) are typically included at the bottom

Quick Reference Table

Build for Any Market

fullCV.online supports international resume creation with:

• Locale/language settings for different markets
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• Flexible sections that adapt to regional expectations
• Multiple CV versions for different country applications
• Translation support to create CVs in different languages

Whether you're applying in London or Tokyo, your resume should speak the local language.

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