CV, resume or biodata: which one Nepali employers want
The difference between a CV, a resume and a biodata, which one to send to employers in Nepal, and why the old biodata format now costs you interviews.
26 September 20262 min read
Three words, used as if they mean the same thing. They do not, and sending the wrong one marks you as out of date.
Biodata
The oldest format: name, father's name, date of birth, marital status, caste, religion, permanent address, then qualifications. Built for government and matrimonial paperwork, not for hiring.
Use it only when a government form or a specific office asks for it by name.
CV (curriculum vitae)
A full record of your working life: experience, education, skills, certificates, languages. In Nepal, and across South Asia and Europe, "CV" is what employers mean when they ask for your details for a job.
Use it for almost every job application in Nepal.
Resume
A shorter, sharper document, usually one page, trimmed for one specific role. Standard in the United States.
Use it when a foreign employer or a US-based company asks for a resume.
What to send in Nepal
Send a CV, one or two pages, as a PDF. Leave out the biodata fields: father's name, marital status, caste, religion and date of birth do not belong on a job application and can invite bias against you.
If a job advert says "send your resume", send the same CV, trimmed to one page. Nobody will reject you over the word.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CV the same as a resume?
No. A CV is a fuller record of your career; a resume is a shorter document trimmed for one role. In Nepal, employers mean a CV.
Should I send a biodata for a job in Nepal?
No, unless a government office asks for that format by name. It contains personal details a job application does not need.
Which format do Nepali employers prefer?
A CV of one or two pages, sent as a PDF.
Can I use one document for every job?
Keep one strong CV and adjust the headline and top skills for each type of role you apply to.
Build it without typing it twice
Alwass has a free CV maker built into your free account. Upload your old CV as a PDF and AI fills in the empty parts of your profile for you to check, or type it in once and download a clean PDF whenever you need it. Employers searching for people read the same profile, so one piece of work does two jobs.
Create your free account, then open My CV.