Difference Between CV and Cover Letter

Cover Letter is a document that highlights the job seeker’s credentials, and
describes the content of another document, i.e. resume or curriculum vitae, with
which it is sent.
Curriculum Vitae or CV is a summary of the applicant’s educational and
employment credential. It is a snapshot of the career history of the candidate, which
is indeed the primary phase, in getting the attention of potential employer.
EXPLANATION
The two documents are of great importance, for every candidate who wants to get a
job, in the world of extreme competition. A CV and a cover letter presents the
applicant, before the employer and so it must be properly drafted and written. Most
people assume that the two are one and the same thing, while they are not. Just take
a read of this article to know about the differences between CV and cover letter.

Comparison Chart
BASIS FOR CURRICULUM VITAE
COVER LETTER
COMPARISON (CV)

Meaning A document containing the A letter attached to a

details of applicant's academic
qualifications, professional
experience and past history is
known as Curriculum Vitae or
CV.
CV or resume that
gives a brief
description of the
applicant to the
potential employer, is
known as Cover Letter.

Document type Comprehensive Concise

What it contains? CV includes every single detail Cover Letter explains

about the candidate's career
like his educational
background, personal
interests, work experience,
etc.
why a candidate is
most appropriate for
the vacancy.
 BASIS FOR CURRICULUM VITAE
COVER LETTER
COMPARISON (CV)

Size More than two pages. Less than one page

Modifications It is same for all jobs. It can be changed

according to the job.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

A written snapshot of a person’s educational qualification, work experience, and

some personal details is known as a Curriculum Vitae (CV). It is mainly used by the
prospective employers to draw the career sketch of the job seekers and shortlist the
deserving candidates before calling them for an interview. It contains the
qualifications, skills, hobbies, experience, achievements, projects, awards,
publications, extracurricular activities.

The term Curriculum Vitae is derived from a Latin word, which simply means
‘course of life’. It is used while applying for specific purposes like fellowships,
advanced research, grants and so on.

Cover Letter

A letter which is attached to or sent with another document (i.e. CV or resume) and
contains the summary of another document is known as Cover Letter. The cover
letter is used while applying for the jobs. It complements the main document by
outlining eligibility criteria fulfilled by the applicant. The document is of utmost
importance; that decides whether the candidate will get a chance to meet personally
or get an interview call for the said position.

Cover Letter gives a short introduction about the candidate qualifications,

experience and accomplishments and interest that are required for the post applied.

Cover Letter contains the arguments that why the candidate is the best man for the
job. It can be customized according to the job. It contains the details about name,
contact details, educational qualifications, professional experience, prospects and so
on.

Key Differences Between CV and Cover Letter

The major differences between CV and Cover Letter are explained below:

1. Curriculum Vitae is a biography of a person’s career like his qualifications,

skills, competencies, achievements, etc. Cover Letter is a letter which gives a
short description of the applicant to the potential employer.
2. CV is a detailed document, but Cover Letter is ‘to the point’ document.
3. A CV includes the details about the educational and employment history of
the applicant. Conversely, the cover letter expresses the interest of the
candidate in the job applied.
4. Normally, the size of CV is two or more than two pages. On the other hand,
the length of a cover letter does not exceed one page.
5. A CV cannot modify according to the job, it remains same for all jobs, whereas
a cover letter can be modified according to the job.

Conclusion

CV and Cover Letter are complementary documents. Cover Letter gives an overview
of the person’s accomplishments and shows the skills, competencies, experience and
qualifications that fulfill the recruiter’s criteria. CV is the well-organized document
which gives each and every detail about the background and skills of an individual.
The content, format, and language used, in the two documents have a great impact
on the reader’s mind. So, it would be beneficial, if the sender prepares the two
documents in such a way that will impress the reader.