CV vs Cover Letter: Differences & When to Use

A CV highlights your career history through sections like work experience, education, and key skills. A cover letter is a one-page formal letter where you explain why your background makes you the ideal candidate for the job.

They serve different purposes in your job application: the CV provides a full snapshot of your background, and the cover letter draws attention to a few key points that make you a strong fit for the role.

What is a CV?

A CV is a job application document that outlines your work history, education, certifications, training, volunteer roles, and the skills you’ve gained throughout your career.

Here’s what a CV looks like:

For nearly all jobs, you’ll need to submit a CV to be considered for an interview.

In most countries, “CV” and “resume” mean the same thing, but in the US, a CV is typically used only for academic roles. For most job applications, you just need one document — a CV or a resume — plus a cover letter to apply.

What do you include in a CV for a job?

When you write your CV, you should include the following sections:

• Contact information: Include your name, email, and cellphone number. A physical address on your CV is no longer needed.
• CV professional summary: Take 5–6 lines to list your years of experience, describe a key achievement, list your key skills, and summarize your experience in your professional summary.
• Work history: The largest section of your CV. For each role, your work experience section includes the company name, your job title, location, dates of employment, and 3–5 bullet points highlighting your key achievements.
• Key skills section: A list of all the job-relevant skills you need for the job. If in any doubt, find skills for your skills section from the job listing (just make sure you have them).
• Education section: Include your highest degree (or high school diploma) in your education section.

Optional sections

Optional sections can include language skills, hobbies, volunteer work, professional awards, and relevant projects.

Here are some other good things to add to your CV:

• Words and phrases from the job ad: Mirroring the words and phrases from the job listing shows you’ve paid attention to the employer’s needs and have tailored your CV.
• Action verbs: Strong sentence starters that catch the hiring manager’s eye, action verbs ensure you look proactive and capable.
• Numbers: These make your CV stand out, so use them to highlight what you’ve achieved — this is known as quantifying your achievements.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a one-page document you send with your CV that introduces you to the employer, highlights your most relevant skills and achievements, and explains why you’re a strong fit for the role.

It’s your chance to show your personality, demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job, and explain why you want to work for that particular company.

Here’s an example of a cover letter:

Most job ads ask you to submit a cover letter along with your CV or resume as a separate document, so be ready to write a tailored cover letter for each application.

What do you include in a cover letter?

To write your cover letter, include these elements:

• Contact details: Include your full name and contact information at the top of your cover letter.
• Greeting: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name, using their proper title (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., etc.). If you can’t find their name, “Dear Hiring Manager” is an appropriate alternative.
• Introduction: Begin with a compelling cover letter opening that expresses your enthusiasm for the role and highlights how your skills match the company’s needs.
• Main section: Use one or two paragraphs to demonstrate your value — highlight your key achievements (ideally with measurable results) and explain how your background fits the role’s requirements.
• Closing statement: End your cover letter by reaffirming your interest in the job, thanking the reader for their time, and inviting them to discuss your fit further in an interview.
• Sign-off: Conclude with a polite closing such as “Sincerely,” followed by your name on the next line.

Do I need both a CV and a cover letter?

Yes — you need both a CV and a cover letter to give your application the best chance of success.

60% of hiring companies require one as part of a job application. Even if a job advert doesn’t require a cover letter, submitting one adds a personal touch, helps highlight your enthusiasm, and shows you’ve made the effort to stand out.

Need help making a CV or cover letter?

Writing a CV or cover letter can take several hours — sometimes even days if you’ve never written one before.

If you’re in a hurry, consider an online CV builder. Paired with a good cover letter generator, these tools ask you a few quick questions, let you choose a design, and present you with a finished application document in minutes.

Build My Cover Letter

Our cover letter builder can make you a cover letter in as little as 5 minutes. Just pick the template you want, and our software will format everything for you.

Frequently asked questions

Here are the answers to four frequently asked questions about the differences between CVs and cover letters:

1. Is a CV a resume?

If you’re applying for a job, a CV and a resume are essentially the same — so don’t worry about which term you use. While “resume” is more common, you’ll sometimes see “CV” as well.

However, “CV” can also refer to an academic CV, which includes additional sections like publications, research, teaching experience, and conferences.

In Europe, “CV” is the standard term used for all job applications, academic or otherwise.

2. Which comes first, a CV or cover letter?

If you’re printing your application, place the cover letter on top to introduce yourself right away.

A strong cover letter also serves as an introduction to your CV, which is why it’s a good idea to include a line like “Please find my CV enclosed” near the end of your letter.

3. Is it a must for a CV to have a cover letter?

No, it is not a must for a CV to have a cover letter. However, you’re boosting your chances by including your cover letter.

4. Is a cover letter more important than a CV?

Both documents are equally important, with 94% of hiring managers saying cover letters influence the decision to offer an interview.