CV and BiodataCV and biodata: questions and answers
Short answers, with links to the pages that explain each one fully.
CV
What is the difference between a CV and a resume?
A resume is a one-page selection for a particular job. A CV is a complete record of an academic or professional career and can run to many pages.
Who needs a full CV?
College and university teachers, researchers, doctors, senior professionals, and applicants for fellowships and higher study where it is asked for.
How long should a CV be?
As long as a complete, well-ordered record needs. There is no page limit unless an application sets one.
Should I include a photo in my CV?
Only when the institution, the form or the custom of the country calls for it.
How do I list a paper that is not yet published?
In a separate group with its exact status: in press, accepted, under review, submitted or in preparation.
Do I list referees?
In academic, research and medical CVs, yes, with their consent. In professional CVs, no.
Abroad
Is there one international CV format?
No. Customs differ. The pages in our country section report what official careers services in six places say.
Should I remove my date of birth for applications abroad?
For the UK, Canada, the USA and Australia, the official pages we read leave it out. The German Federal Employment Agency includes it.
What is Europass?
A European Union service with an online builder that produces a CV in a common format familiar across Europe.
Do your pages cover visas?
No. Visas, work rights and recognition of qualifications are separate official processes.
Biodata
What is a biodata?
A sheet of personal particulars. In India the word is used for a traditional job application sheet and for the introduction exchanged between families before a marriage.
How long should a marriage biodata be?
One page.
Is horoscope information necessary?
Only if your family follows horoscope matching.
Is it safe to share a biodata in WhatsApp groups?
Use known groups, share a short version without address or identity numbers, give a family member's number, and send the photograph privately later.
Can I mention dowry?
No. Giving or taking dowry is prohibited by law in India.
When should I use a job biodata instead of a resume?
When the employer asks for a biodata by name and expects personal particulars and a signed declaration.
The maker
Is the biodata maker free?
Yes. No charge, no login, no watermark.
Where is my biodata saved?
Only in your own browser on your own device. It is not uploaded.
Can I add a photograph?
The marriage biodata maker takes an optional photo, which stays in your browser.
How do I get a PDF?
Press "Print or save as PDF" and choose "Save as PDF" in the print window, with A4 paper and background graphics on.
Where to read more
For the long document, start with what a CV is and the CV guides. For applications outside India, see CV by country, which reports official careers advice with its sources. For biodata, the biodata section has the formats, wording, safety advice and the makers. If you are not sure which document you need at all, the chooser will tell you in one tap. For a one-page job resume, go to resume.shareyourgroup.com.
General guidance. This page gives general suggestions, reviewed in November 2026. If an institution, employer or country gives its own form, format or instruction, follow that. Every person, institution and publication in our examples is invented. Nothing here is legal, immigration or professional advice.