Imagine you’re a seasoned professional with years of experience, certifications, and notable accomplishments. You’ve got a curriculum vitae (CV) filled with everything you’ve done in your career, but now you’re applying for a job in a new industry or country. The hiring manager wants to see a quick overview of your professional experience and skills, not the detailed history you’ve been carrying around.
Ready to learn how to turn a CV into a resume? Let’s break it down step by step.
CV vs. Resume: What’s the Difference?
Before we get started, let’s quickly break down the difference:
CV Format
A CV is a comprehensive document used to showcase a full career trajectory, typically spanning several pages. It includes everything—professional experience, education, certifications, research, presentations, and achievements. While it’s commonly used in academic, medical, and research roles, a CV can also be relevant in industries where a detailed career history is valued, such as government positions or international roles.
Resume
A resume is much shorter—typically one or two pages—and is tailored to a specific job. It’s designed to highlight your skills, relevant experience, and accomplishments that are most applicable to the job you’re applying for. The focus is on being concise and easy to read, with a clear goal: getting you the interview.
Step-by-Step: How to Turn a CV Into a Resume
1. Know the Job You’re Applying For
The first step is to focus on the specific position. Whether you’re moving into a project management role or a research-focused job, read the job description carefully. Highlight the skills, experience, and keywords that employers are looking for. This will guide what you emphasize on your resume.
2. Cut the Length
A CV can be multiple pages long, but a resume should be concise. Most employers want a resume that’s one to two pages, max. Trim down your content by focusing only on your most relevant work experience, skills, and achievements.
3. Highlight Achievements, Not Duties
In a CV, you may list all your duties, but in a resume, it’s all about impact. Use action verbs to describe your contributions—”Led a team of five to complete a project ahead of schedule” is stronger than just listing tasks. Highlight how you’ve added value in each role.
4. Tweak Your Skills Section
This is key. Focus on the skills most relevant to the job. If you’re applying to a research-focused role, highlight your research experience and technical skills. For an industry job, emphasize your transferable skills like leadership, communication, and project management.
5. Simplify Your Education Section
On your CV, you might list every detail about your degrees, but on your resume, keep it short and sweet. List the most relevant degrees or certifications for the role you’re targeting. Don’t forget to add any major awards or honors that will help you stand out.
6. Use a Clean Format
Employers don’t have time to sift through cluttered documents. Your resume should be easy to scan. Include these sections:
Contact Information
Professional Summary or Objective (job-specific)
Key Skills
Professional Experience
Education
Achievements or Certifications
7. Customize for Each Job
Don’t send the same resume for every job. Tailor your resume to each role by adjusting the professional experience and skills sections to match the job description. This shows the employer you’ve put thought into your application.
8. Edit and Polish
Finally, review your resume. Make sure there are no spelling mistakes, that the formatting is consistent, and that your content is easy to read. Ask someone else to look it over for a fresh perspective.
Tools to Help You Transform Your CV Into a Resume
Need a little help with the process? Check out these apps and websites to guide you through resume writing:
Zety – Build your resume with templates and helpful tips tailored to your job search.
Canva – Perfect for a visually appealing resume with plenty of design options.
Resume.io – A user-friendly resume builder that helps you create a professional resume in minutes.
Jobscan – Optimize your resume by comparing it to job descriptions and boosting your chances of an interview.
Novoresume – Offers step-by-step guidance to help newcomers craft their perfect resume.
LiveCareer – A great resource for resume templates and tips on writing an impactful resume.
Wrap-Up: Time to Turn That CV Into a Resume and Get Noticed!
Turning a CV into a resume doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on what’s most relevant to the job, cut the fluff, and use the right tools to help you craft a resume that stands out. Tailor it for each job application, and soon enough, you’ll have a document that’s not only focused but also highly effective at landing you the job you want. Good luck!
