Job in Development Sector: Walking with you

Difference between Bio Data, Resume, and CV

Bio Data or Biographical Data is a document containing brief information about the main stages of life (date of birth, marital status, place of residence, etc.) and professional activities of the candidate, interests, and hobbies

Resume originated from French and means summary. Traditionally it is short document and consist of 1-2 pages. Usually, it contains condensed information about your education, professional skills, qualifications and is written in the third person.

CV or Curriculum Vitae comes from Latin and means “course of life.” CV is slightly larger in volume than the summary and contains detailed information about all of your achievements.

How to prepare a CV

To write a good resume is like to write PhD thesis to graduate succesfully – you will need to focus on the main facts of your professional biography. It should be composed of the following items:

1. Contact information (name, surname, phone number, email, nationality, city, country of residence)

2. Purpose (This is an optional component, but if you write

3. Education (list all educational institutions that you have ever visited, university, college, courses, in reverse chronological order)

4. Experience (using the word “experience” instead of “work experience,” you have the opportunity to describe all work experience, including internships and volunteering, the list should also be in reverse chronological order)

5. Skills (describe the skills of owning languages, computer programs, driving, etc., try to be brief and use phrases instead of sentences)

6. Interests (try to describe the interests that relate to the position you are applying for, do not use abstract phrases, examples should emphasize your dignity and skills)

7. References (This item is also not necessary, but at the request of an HR-manager, write information of your previous employers, colleagues and other people who can confirm the information you have provided)

Types of CVs and purpose of different types

There exist 5 main types of CV:

1. Functional CV

Functional CV is one of the most common because in many situations it allows the job candidate to show himself in the most favorable light.

• Alternative CV

The alternative CV differs, for example, from the targeted and functional ones, which in each case is performed in different ways. The main feature of this document is its originality; it reflects the individual personal inclinations of a person and his or her ability to stand out of the pack.

• Chronological CV

Chronological CV in many respects similar to traditional, but it has its own specific features. In this document, the previous place of seeker’s work listed in the reverse order plays the main role.

• Targeted CV

Target CV is good for most jobs. Since it is individual in each case, it is always possible to pay attention to certain important moments and to show oneself from the best side.

• Mini resume

The mini-resume contains short information about your career. It usually contains information about personal data (name, date of birth, residence), the desired position, desired level of salary, education, work experience, key skills and contact information (phone, mail). The scope of this summary usually ranges from a few lines to 1 page.