Resume vs CV vs Biodata: What's the Difference, and Which Should You Send?
Part of the confusion is that the same word means different things in different countries. A "CV" in London is a "resume" in New York, and neither is quite what a government office in India means by "biodata". Here's how to tell them apart.
A resume is a one- to two-page summary of your experience, skills and education, tailored to a specific job. A CV (curriculum vitae) is, in the US and Canada, a longer and complete academic record; in the UK, Europe, India and the Gulf, CV usually just means a resume. A biodata, used mainly in South Asia, focuses on personal details such as date of birth and family information and is mostly requested by some government bodies. For most private-sector jobs, send a resume.
The three documents at a glance
| Resume | CV (US academic sense) | Biodata | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 1 to 2 pages | As long as your record: often 3+ pages | 1 to 2 pages |
| Purpose | Win an interview for a specific job | Present a complete academic and professional record | Give personal and background details |
| Tailored to each job? | Yes | Lightly | Rarely |
| Focus | Relevant experience, skills, results | Education, research, publications, teaching | Date of birth, family, religion, contact details, education |
| Personal details | Minimal | Minimal | Extensive |
| Mostly used for | Private-sector jobs worldwide | Academic, research, medical and scientific roles | Some government and public-sector applications in South Asia |
What a resume is
A resume is a short, selective document with one job: get you an interview for a specific role. It's usually one page, or two if you have a decade or more of relevant experience. Because it's selective, you change it for each application, leading with whatever matters most for that job and leaving out what doesn't.
A typical resume has a header with your contact details, a short summary, your work experience (newest first), education, skills and, where relevant, certifications or projects. Our resume format guide covers the structure in detail.
If you're applying to a private company almost anywhere in the world, this is the document they want, whatever they call it.
What a CV is
CV stands for curriculum vitae, Latin for "course of life". Here's where it gets confusing: it means two different things depending on where you are.
In the US and Canada: a full academic record
A CV is a complete, long-form record used for academic, research, scientific and medical positions. It lists everything: degrees, research, publications, conference presentations, grants, teaching, awards, professional memberships. It isn't trimmed for each job the way a resume is, so it can easily run to several pages. If you're applying for a faculty post, a research fellowship or a PhD programme, this is what's meant.
In the UK, Europe, India and the Gulf: basically a resume
Here, "CV" is simply the everyday word for the document you send with a job application. A UK CV is usually around two pages, slightly longer than a typical American resume, but it serves the same purpose. In India, people use "CV" and "resume" almost interchangeably, and employers asking for a CV almost always mean a resume.
Looking for a CV layout? We have a set of CV templates that work for both.
What a biodata is
Biodata is short for "biographical data". It's a format used mainly in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other parts of South Asia, and it puts personal information front and centre: full name, date of birth, gender, nationality, religion, marital status, father's name, permanent address, languages known, then education and any work history.
Today, biodata is mostly requested for some government jobs, public-sector undertakings and certain traditional or local employers, often through a specific form. Private companies hiring for professional roles generally expect a resume instead, and some would find the personal details unnecessary.
In South Asia, "biodata" is also used for matrimonial profiles. That's an entirely different document. Everything in this guide is about job applications.
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What the words mean in different countries
If a job posting asks for a "CV", this table tells you what they're most likely expecting.
| Where | "Resume" means | "CV" means | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States, Canada | The standard job application document | A long academic or research record | Resume: 1 to 2 pages |
| United Kingdom, Ireland | Rarely used | The standard job application document | About 2 pages |
| India | The standard job application document | Used interchangeably with resume | 1 to 2 pages |
| UAE and the Gulf | Used interchangeably with CV | The standard job application document | About 2 pages, often with a photo |
| Australia, New Zealand | Used interchangeably with CV | Used interchangeably with resume | 2 to 3 pages |
| Continental Europe | Rarely used | The standard job application document | 1 to 2 pages; some countries have their own conventions |
When in doubt, the job posting wins. If it gives a page limit or a format, follow it.
Which one should you send?
In practice, the decision is simpler than all this makes it sound.
Applying to a private company, anywhere? Send a resume, one or two pages, tailored to the job. If they call it a CV, they still mean this.
Applying for a faculty position, research post, PhD or fellowship, especially in the US or Canada? Send a full academic CV.
Filling in a government or public-sector application that asks for a biodata? Use their format, or include the personal details they ask for. Don't send a biodata to private employers who didn't ask for one; the personal details take up space your experience could use.
Turning one document into another
From biodata to resume
Remove the personal section (date of birth, religion, marital status, father's name, permanent address) unless the employer has asked for it. Replace any "Objective" line with a short summary that names the role you want. Expand your experience or projects with bullet points that show results, add a skills section, and delete the declaration at the bottom. You'll likely end up with a shorter, stronger page.
From academic CV to resume
Keep only what's relevant to the job. Move work and research experience to the top, rewritten as achievements rather than lists of duties. Cut publications and presentations down to the few that matter most for the role, or summarise them in a line ("12 peer-reviewed publications in materials science"). Aim for two pages at most.
Starting from scratch is often faster than converting. With ResJo, you can upload your existing CV or biodata as a PDF and have it reformatted into a modern resume template, then edit from there.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CV the same as a resume?
In the UK, Ireland, Europe, India and the Gulf, mostly yes: "CV" is the everyday word for the document you send with a job application. In the US and Canada, a CV is a different, longer document used for academic, research and medical roles, while a resume is the short version used for most jobs.
What is a biodata?
A biodata (short for biographical data) is a document used mainly in South Asia that lists personal details such as date of birth, gender, marital status, religion and family information alongside education and work history. Some government departments and public-sector bodies still ask for one.
Should I send a resume or a CV in India?
For private-sector jobs in India, send a one- or two-page resume. Employers often call it a CV, but they mean the same thing. Send a biodata only if the employer specifically asks for one.
How long is a CV compared to a resume?
A resume is usually one page, or two for experienced professionals. An academic CV in the US can run to many pages because it lists every publication, presentation, grant and teaching role. A UK-style CV is normally around two pages.
Does a resume need personal details like date of birth?
No. In most countries, including India for private-sector roles, a resume doesn't need date of birth, marital status, religion or family details. Some countries and employers expect a photo or nationality; follow the norms of the country you're applying in.
Is biodata used for marriage?
Yes, the word is also used for matrimonial profiles in South Asia. That's a completely different document with a different purpose. For job applications, biodata means the job-application format described here.
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