Cool MateCurriculum vitae vs Profile vs Resume
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Curriculum vitae
Profile
Resume
| Curriculum vitae | Profile | Resume | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kəˈrɪkjʊləm viˈteɪ//🇺🇸 //kəˈrɪkjʊləm viˈteɪ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprəʊfaɪl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprəʊfaɪl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈzjuːm//🇺🇸 //rɪˈzum// |
| Meaning | A document listing your education and work experience. | A description of a person that includes information about their characteristics. | To start again after stopping. |
| Example | She submitted her curriculum vitae to the company for the job interview. | You should update your profile on the social media site. | Please resume the meeting after the break. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb | |
| Collocations | update curriculum vitae, submit curriculum vitae, strong curriculum vitae, academic curriculum vitae, professional curriculum vitae | detailed, in-depth, age, build, build up, construct, profile of, high, low, public, have, give somebody/something, boost, handsome, strong, three-quarter, present, examine, study, in profile | resume work, resume operations, resume studies |
| Antonyms | - | disregard, obscurity | stop, cease, discontinue |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'resume'; CV is longer and more detailed., Using 'curriculum vitae' in informal contexts where 'CV' is sufficient., Failing to include all relevant experiences and qualifications in the CV. | Confusing 'profile' with 'proficient'., Using 'profile' as a verb incorrectly., Not distinguishing between personal and professional profiles. | Confused with 'resumé', which is a document of qualifications., Using 'resume' for a permanent end rather than for restarting., Incorrect verb forms, like using 'resumed' in a wrong context. |
| Usage notes | Used in job applications; can be abbreviated as 'CV.' More common in UK than US, where 'resume' is preferred. | Commonly used in social media and professional contexts. Avoid using in very formal writing unless referring to a detailed report. | Use 'resume' when talking about restarting something, like an activity or a job. Avoid informality in professional contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Curriculum vitae vs Profile vs Resume
What's the difference between Curriculum vitae, Profile, and Resume?
Curriculum vitae: A document listing your education and work experience. Profile: A description of a person that includes information about their characteristics. Resume: To start again after stopping.
Which is more formal: Curriculum vitae, Profile, and Resume?
Curriculum vitae is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Curriculum vitae, Profile, and Resume?
Profile is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Curriculum vitae, Profile, and Resume?
Resume is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Curriculum vitae: She submitted her curriculum vitae to the company for the job interview. Profile: You should update your profile on the social media site. Resume: Please resume the meeting after the break.
Can I use Curriculum vitae, Profile, and Resume interchangeably?
Not always. Curriculum vitae, Profile, and Resume are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.