CV, résumé or biodata: which one to send
For a private job in India, a one-page résumé, whatever the posting calls it. A biodata only when a form asks for one. A long CV only for research or some jobs abroad.
Side by side
Résumé
- What it is
- A one- or two-page case for one kind of job: skills, work and results.
- Length
- One page for freshers; two at most with experience.
- Personal details
- Contact line only.
- Send it for
- Private-company jobs, internships, most applications in India.
CV
- What it is
- In India, usually just another word for a résumé. In research and in the UK or Europe, a fuller record of education, publications and work.
- Length
- Same as a résumé in India; academic CVs run as long as the record.
- Personal details
- Contact line only (academic CVs may add more).
- Send it for
- Research, academic posts, many jobs abroad; in India, when a posting says “CV”, a résumé is fine.
Biodata
- What it is
- Personal details first (date of birth, family, address), then education and a little work, with a signed declaration.
- Length
- One page.
- Personal details
- Date of birth, father’s name, marital status, languages and more.
- Send it for
- Some government and local jobs, and forms that ask for one.
Questions people ask
A posting asks for a CV. Do I send my résumé?
In India, yes: “CV” and “résumé” are used for the same document by most employers. Send your one-page résumé unless the role is academic or research, where a fuller CV is expected.
Is a biodata still used?
Less and less, but some government, PSU and local jobs, and some forms, still ask for one. Use it only when asked; for private companies, send a résumé.
Should freshers make a CV or a résumé?
A résumé: one page, with projects, internships and skills. It works for almost every fresher application in India.
Start from a free template
An ATS-friendly one-page résumé in Word and PDF, or full examples by role.