You found the ideal job and are preparing a CV to send to the employer. But, you realise that it isn’t as attractive as you thought it could be. If you fail to market yourself, you won’t be successful in grabbing that interview. Although a tedious task, you should always set aside some time to really plan out your CV, making it look professional and eye-catching to employers. That 2 hours spent on your CV could make our break your career.To get started, here are 15 Tips to help you create the PERFECT CV:

1. Research the Company

This doesn’t have to be an in-depth analysis, but it is more to know what sort of person they are looking for and what language to use in your CV. It will also help you decide whether the company is right for you before you spend time writing.

2. Choose an Appealing CV Template

CV writing companies and recruitment agencies have made it even easier for you to write your CV. With plenty of templates to choose from, and all of them editable, there will be one that will emphasise your passion and ability.

3. Follow the CV Layout

Many CV templates are designed as follows: Personal Details, Personal Statement, Skills, Work Experience, Education, Achievements, and Hobbies. You can remove and include sections to your CV like Professional Qualifications / Memberships, Voluntary Experience, Projects, Publications etc. The list is endless. Just remember to include what you want highlighted the most on the first page and always include a personal statement.

4. Incorporate the Job Description

Look at the requirements of the role and tailor your CV to maximise the impact to hiring managers. This could be minor with a change of skills or major with editing your experiences.

5. Choose the Right Font Style and Size

Gone are the days of using Times New Roman. There are a range of font styles that can be used throughout your CV. Some more common examples include Calibri, Cambria, Franklin Gothic, Garamond, Helvetica or Book Antiqua. Your CV should be easy to read and, by default, the font size is 11pt.

6. Include Formatting

There is nothing worse than producing a generic CV with no formatting. This can be as simple as having bold and italics, tables and columns to distinguish between CV sections and job titles. Do not clutter your CV with bullet points. Reserve these for emphasising your achievements in your experience.

7. Differentiate Yourself with Power Verbs

There is nothing worse than repeating the same verb over and over again. It becomes monotonous and boring to the reader. Did you know that there are many variations of saying Managed – Coordinated, Controlled, Delegated, Organised, Arranged, Spearheaded, Orchestrated etc…