The Difference Between A Resume And CV In Malaysia

Have you been submitting employers the wrong documents? Find out the difference between a resume and CV in Malaysia in this article.

By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:12 AM

Updated on 2025-01-28 at 3:39 AM

Resume vs CV in Malaysia

Although the terms "resume" and "CV" (Curriculum Vitae) are often used interchangeably in Malaysia, they serve entirely different purposes and are tailored for distinct applications. Understanding their differences and knowing when to use each can make a significant impact on your job search success.

What Is a CV?

A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is an in-depth document highlighting your academic and professional achievements. It’s a chronological history of your education, research, publications, teaching experiences, awards, and other academic accomplishments.

Typically used in academia, research, or education-related applications, CVs can span multiple pages, depending on the level of detail required. For example, if you’re applying for a postdoctoral position or a teaching role at a university, a comprehensive CV is necessary to showcase your qualifications.

What Is a Resume?

In contrast, a resume is a concise document summarizing your skills, work experience, and education relevant to the job you’re applying for. Unlike a CV, a resume is highly customizable and typically limited to one or two pages.

Resumes are tailored for specific roles, making them ideal for corporate jobs, internships, and other professional positions in Malaysia. This focused approach allows hiring managers to quickly assess whether you’re a good fit for the job.

Key Differences Between a Resume and CV

Length

• CV: Comprehensive, often spanning multiple pages.
• Resume: Concise, usually limited to one or two pages.

Purpose

• CV: Used for academic, research, and teaching roles, or when applying for grants.
• Resume: Focused on corporate and professional job applications.

Content

• CV: Chronological history of academic and professional achievements.
• Resume: Tailored summary of skills, experience, and qualifications relevant to a specific role.

When Should You Use a Resume or CV in Malaysia?

Tailoring your CV or resume is a critical step in ensuring your application stands out. It’s not just about listing your qualifications and experiences—it’s about aligning them with the specific role you’re applying for. A well-tailored document shows potential employers that you’ve put thought into how your background fits their needs, making your application more impactful.

For resumes, focus on showcasing skills and experiences directly related to the job description. Carefully analyze the requirements of the role and highlight relevant accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to meet those needs. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements wherever possible. For example, instead of saying, “Managed a team,” try “Led a team of 10 to deliver projects 15% ahead of schedule.”

For CVs, emphasize academic achievements and experiences that align with the position’s demands. This could include research projects, publications, teaching roles, or awards. Provide enough detail to give a clear picture of your expertise without overwhelming the reader. If you’re applying for a research position, mention any groundbreaking studies you’ve been involved in or conferences where you presented your work.

How to Tailor Your CV or Resume

Regardless of which document you use, tailoring it to the specific job is critical. For resumes, ensure the skills and experiences listed align with the job description. For CVs, emphasize academic achievements that match the position's requirements.

Pro Tip: Adding measurable outcomes, such as "increased team efficiency by 20%" or "published three peer-reviewed articles," can help your document stand out.

Polish your resume with these fool-proof resume-writing tips:

• The Perfect Resume Checklist
• 5 Tricks That Recruiters Love In Resumes
• Is The Design Of Your Resume Or CV Important To Recruiters?

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By Kimberly Chang on 2023-11-27 at 7:12 AM