CV vs Autobiography (Tərcümeyi-hal): What’s the Difference
In some regions a handwritten autobiography (in Azerbaijani, "tərcümeyi-hal") is requested for government or university admission, while private employers expect a modern CV. This guide explains both and the difference.
What is an autobiography (tərcümeyi-hal)?
An autobiography is a document describing your life, education and work history in continuous prose. It is traditionally handwritten in the first person and used for government bodies or university admission.
Autobiography vs CV: the difference
- Autobiography: prose, often handwritten, includes personal/family details — for official bodies.
- CV (resume): structured, split into sections, achievement-focused — for job applications.
- In everyday language they often mean the same thing; it depends on context.
For a job application — you need a modern CV
Most private companies expect a structured, professional CV rather than a handwritten autobiography. With Huntbl you can create a professional, ATS-friendly CV in minutes and download it as a PDF.
FAQ
Does an autobiography have to be handwritten?
Government bodies/universities often require it handwritten. For job applications, a printed, structured CV is more appropriate.
Is an autobiography the same as a CV?
It depends on context. For official admissions it means an autobiography; for job applications it usually means a CV.