The resume meaning depends on how you say it: as a noun (REZ-oo-may), a resume is a short document summarizing your work experience, education and skills, sent when you apply for a job; as a verb (rih-ZOOM), to resume means to start again after a pause. "Please send your resume" and "The meeting will resume after lunch" use the same letters for two different words.
The noun is often written with accents, résumé, to show it is a different word from the verb. They look alike because each grew from one Latin verb, "to take up again".
Entry at a glance
Noun meaning
A brief written summary of your career, skills and educationVerb meaning
To begin again or continue after stoppingPronunciation
Noun REZ-oo-may; verb rih-ZOOMSpellings (noun)
résumé, resume, resumé (all accepted)Word forms (verb)
resumes, resumed, resuming; noun resumptionOrigin
Latin resumere, take up again; job-document sense from the 1940sClose words
CV, bio, profile (noun); restart, continue (verb)
Resume meaning in English: two words, one spelling
What is the meaning of resume in English, then? To define resume you first decide which word you have. Here is the resume definition for each, the plain meaning of resume as dictionaries split it:
- Résumé (noun), said REZ-oo-may. A summary, most often the one or two page document job seekers send to employers. It lists past jobs, achievements, education and skills. In a wider, older sense, it is any short summary: "a résumé of the main points".
- Resume (verb), said rih-ZOOM. To start doing something again after a break, or to go back to a place or position: "Classes resume on Monday." "Please resume your seats."
Words that share a spelling but differ in sound and meaning are called heteronyms. The opposite trap, two spellings with one sound, catches people with principal and principle.
Resume meaning as a job document
What does resume mean when an employer asks for one? They want a concise, organized record of what you can offer. A typical resume includes:
- Name and contact details
- A short summary or objective (optional)
- Work experience, most recent first, with job titles, dates and key achievements
- Education and certifications
- Skills, such as languages or software
It is usually one page for early career and up to two pages for experienced professionals. A portfolio shows samples of your work, while a resume describes it. Your job title, or designation, appears next to each role.
Resume as a verb, in sentences
- Trains resumed after the track was cleared of fallen branches.
- We will resume the call once everyone has reconnected.
- After a two-year break to care for her parents, she resumed her teaching career.
- Play resumed when the rain stopped.
- The talks are expected to resume next week.
The related noun is resumption: "the resumption of flights". Do not confuse it with assume, which means to suppose or to take on a role.
Resume or CV: which should you call it?
| Place | Usual word for the job document | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States, Canada | Resume | CV means a longer academic record |
| United Kingdom, Ireland | CV | Resume is understood but less common |
| India | Both, often interchangeably | "Biodata" is also heard for some roles |
| Australia | Both | Resume is common in job ads |
CV stands for curriculum vitae, Latin for "course of life". In US academia, a CV is a detailed record of research, teaching and publications, and may run many pages, while a resume stays short and targeted.
Spelling: résumé, resume or resumé
For the noun, all three spellings are accepted in English. Résumé with two accents is the most traditional and avoids confusion with the verb. Resume with no accents is common in job ads and on forms. Resumé with one accent is also used. The verb is always written without accents: resume. Pick one form for the noun and stay consistent in a single document. A definition of resume as a job paper appears in most career guides; for related work vocabulary, browse business and money.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce resume?
It depends on the meaning. The job document is REZ-oo-may, loud on REZ. The verb meaning to start again is rih-ZOOM, stressing the second.
Are a resume and a CV different things?
In the US, a resume is a short, targeted summary for jobs, while a CV is a long, complete academic record. In the UK and many other countries, CV is simply the usual name for the job document.
How long should a resume be?
One page is standard for students and early-career workers. Two pages is common for experienced professionals. Longer documents are usually reserved for academic CVs.
In "the game will resume", which resume is it?
It means the game will start again after a stop. Here resume is the verb, said rih-ZOOM.
Do I need the accents in résumé?
No. Résumé, resumé and resume are all accepted for the noun. The accents simply help readers tell it apart from the verb.
Is resume the same as summary?
In its older sense, yes, a résumé can be any short summary. Today most people mean the job document when they use the noun.