A resume is a short (usually one to two pages) summary of your skills and experience for a specific job. A CV (curriculum vitae) is often longer and more complete, covering your full education, experience, research and publications. A biodata focuses on personal details such as date of birth, family, religion and address, and in Bangladesh and South Asia is mainly used for marriage proposals and some government or traditional job forms. In everyday Bangladeshi job hunting, “CV” and “resume” are often used for the same thing: a one- or two-page job document. Use what the employer asks for.
- Resume: short, targeted, focused on achievements.
- CV: complete academic and professional history, common in academia and for some international roles.
- Biodata: personal and family details, mainly for marriage, sometimes for traditional forms.
- In Bangladesh, most private employers accept a 1 to 2 page CV.
- Make all three in the free CV, Resume and Biodata Maker.
“They asked for a resume. I sent my biodata.”
Imagine a young engineer applying to an international company in Dhaka. He sends the document his uncle helped him make years ago: father’s name, mother’s name, religion, height, marital status and permanent address, followed by his degree at the bottom. The HR team, used to two-page resumes focused on skills and projects, moves on quickly.
The same engineer, with a resume that leads with his profile, internship, projects and technical skills, gets an interview the following month. He didn’t change. His document did.
CV vs resume vs biodata
| Resume | CV | Biodata | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 1 to 2 pages | 2 pages or more | 1 to 2 pages |
| Focus | Skills and achievements for a specific job | Full academic and career history | Personal and family information |
| Typical use | Private sector jobs, international companies | Academia, research, scholarships, some international applications | Marriage proposals, some traditional or government forms |
| Photo | Depends on country and employer | Depends | Usually yes |
| Personal details | Minimal: contact information | Minimal | Detailed: age, family, religion, height |
| Tailored per application | Yes | Sometimes | No |
Which one should you use?
What to include in each
Resume or job CV
- Name and contact details, profile summary, experience, education, skills, certifications.
- Optional: photo (if expected), languages, projects, volunteering.
Academic CV
- Everything above plus research interests, publications, conferences, teaching, grants and references.
Biodata
- Name, date of birth, height, religion, education, profession, family details, address, contact, a recent photo.
- See our marriage biodata format with sample.
How to convert your biodata into a job CV
- Remove personal detailsFather’s and mother’s names, religion, height and marital status aren’t needed for most jobs.
- Add a profileTwo to three lines on your skills and goal.
- Lead with experience or educationWhichever is stronger.
- Add achievementsUse bullet points with numbers.
- Add skillsSoftware, languages and job-specific skills.
- Keep it to two pagesCut anything that doesn’t help you get this job.
Make the right document
The free CV, Resume and Biodata Maker has job templates and a matrimonial layout, all with photo upload and HD PDF download. Read how to write a CV in Bangladesh for local tips.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
A resume is usually a short, targeted 1 to 2 page document for a job. A CV can be longer and complete, especially for academic roles. In Bangladesh the terms are often used interchangeably.
What is a biodata?
A biodata is a document focused on personal details like date of birth, family, religion and address. In Bangladesh it is mainly used for marriage proposals and some traditional forms.
Should I send a biodata for a job?
For most private sector jobs, no. Send a 1 to 2 page CV focused on skills, experience and education, unless the employer specifically asks for biodata.
Should I include a photo on my CV?
In Bangladesh many employers expect one. Many employers in the UK, US and Canada prefer CVs without photos. Follow the norms of the country and the job ad.
Make a professional CV, resume or marriage biodata with your photo and download an HD PDF.
Guides for this tool
Guide · 3 min readHow to Write a CV in Bangladesh: Format, Sections and Examples
Guide · 3 min readMarriage Biodata Format: What to Include (With Sample)
Guide · 3 min readHow to Write a CV With No Experience (Fresh Graduate Guide)
Guide · 4 min readResume Summary Examples: How to Write a Profile That Gets ReadWant a tool, website or app like this for your business?
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