Choose from a wide range of CV templates and customize the design with a single click.
Use ATS-optimised CV and resume templates that pass applicant tracking systems. Our Resume builder helps recruiters read, scan, and shortlist your Resume faster.
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create Resume
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create CVA general worker CV and resume serve the same goal—helping you get hired—but they are not the same. In the United States, employers expect a resume, which is short, focused, and tailored to the job. A CV (curriculum vitae) is longer and more detailed, typically used in academic or specialized fields. If you're applying for general labor, warehouse, retail, or entry-level jobs, you almost always need a resume—not a CV. This guide breaks down the exact differences, shows when to use each, and gives you practical templates and examples you can apply immediately.
Understanding the difference starts with how each document is used in real hiring situations.
A resume is a 1-page, targeted document that highlights your most relevant skills and experience for a specific job.
Key traits:
Focused on skills and recent work experience
Tailored to each job application
Typically 1 page
Designed for quick scanning by recruiters
A CV is a detailed, multi-page document that includes your entire work history, education, and achievements.
Key traits:
For nearly all general worker roles in the US:
Use a resume.
Employers hiring for roles like:
Warehouse associate
Construction laborer
Retail worker
Maintenance worker
General laborer
…expect a resume, not a CV.
Using a CV in these cases can actually hurt your chances because:
It looks overly long and unfocused
Here’s the practical breakdown that matters when applying:
Resume: 1 page
CV: 2+ pages
Resume: Skills + relevant experience
CV: Full career history
Resume: Tailored for each job
CV: Static and comprehensive
Full career history (not tailored)
More detailed descriptions
Often 2+ pages
Used in academic, research, or international roles
Hiring managers don’t have time to read it
It signals you may not understand US hiring expectations
Resume: Standard for US jobs
CV: Academic or specialized roles
Hiring managers are not reading everything—you have seconds to make an impact.
They scan for:
Relevant skills (lifting, equipment use, teamwork)
Recent work experience
Reliability and consistency
Clear, simple formatting
A resume is built for this. A CV is not.
Use this structure for maximum effectiveness:
Full Name
Phone Number
Location (City, State)
Example:
Reliable general worker with 3+ years of experience in warehouse and construction environments. Skilled in heavy lifting, equipment operation, and maintaining safety standards.
Heavy lifting and manual labor
Equipment operation (forklift, pallet jack)
Team collaboration
Time management
Safety compliance
Job Title
Company Name
Dates
Loaded and unloaded shipments efficiently
Maintained clean and organized work areas
Followed safety protocols to prevent accidents
Assisted team members to meet daily targets
High School Diploma (if applicable)
Only use this if specifically requested or applying internationally.
Same as resume
More detailed than resume
Include ALL jobs with detailed descriptions
Full details, including certifications
Certifications
Training
Volunteer work
Responsible for warehouse work.
Why it fails:
Too vague
No impact
No detail
Loaded and organized incoming shipments, improving warehouse efficiency by maintaining structured inventory placement.
Why it works:
Specific action
Clear responsibility
Shows value
If you already have a CV, here’s how to fix it:
Remove:
Old or irrelevant jobs
Long paragraphs
Detailed academic info
Keep only jobs that relate to:
Physical work
Team environments
Hands-on tasks
Replace long descriptions with concise impact statements.
Highlight what employers scan for immediately.
This is one of the biggest mistakes for general worker roles.
Avoid generic phrases like:
“Hard worker”
“Good team player”
Instead, show proof.
More is not better. Relevant is better.
Messy layout = instant rejection.
Keep it:
Clean
Simple
Easy to scan
For general worker jobs, the winning formula is:
Short resume (1 page)
Clear skills section
Action-based bullet points
Relevant work experience only
This aligns exactly with how hiring managers review applications.
There are rare situations where a CV could be used:
Applying outside the US
Employer specifically asks for a CV
Government or institutional roles
Even then, clarity and structure still matter.
To stand out quickly:
Loaded
Operated
Assisted
Maintained
Even small impact matters:
“Improved efficiency”
“Reduced errors”
No fluff. Focus on what you did.
If you remember one thing:
For general worker jobs in the US, always use a resume—not a CV.
Keep it short, relevant, and easy to scan. That’s what gets interviews.
Upload Resume
Import from Linkedin
