The job market is a competitive place at the best of times, so you need to be sure that your CV is selling you in the right way. Although it might seem tedious, if you really have your heart set on a specific job it is certainly worth putting in the effort to perfect your CV. Many jobseekers are losing out on positions because their CV is not up to scratch; there are too many people applying for the same job as you for you to not make your CV stand out from the crowd.

There are always going to be a number of jobs you are interested in, and it’s important to tailor your CV to fit each of the specific requirements for all the roles. If you send a generic CV this will be clear to the employer reviewing your application. They want to know you are keen on their job and their company, so read the job description thoroughly and make sure your own experience links directly to their requirements.

Always spell check your CV and covering letter before sending it off. You don’t want to fall at the first hurdle when it is so easily avoidable. Applications are usually done online, so make the most of having your computer and let it do the work for you. There really is no excuse for poor spelling.

Keep your CV relevant and to the point. Do not send off a 20 page CV listing all your previous jobs or all the skills you have that aren’t necessarily relevant to the position. Be precise and use wording from the company’s job description, linking it directly back to your experience. Make sure your email address is professional and appropriate. For example do not choose happyhippy@email.com as your reply address, it will not reflect well on you.

Keep the same font throughout and use a sensible size, for example 12. Arial or Times New Roman are always good font choices for professional documents. Never type your whole CV in capitals. Spell all company names correctly and use appropriate terminology for the industry you are applying to work in. Avoid generic job application cliches, they aren’t want the employer is looking for; if anything this could ultimately jeopardise your application. Instead, show how your experience fits their criteria and give examples. Keep returning to your CV; you might notice gaps or information you have missed.

Often you might know you are making mistakes that could be easily fixed, but aren’t willing to put in the effort to alter them. Yes,job applications can be tedious and feel like a lot of effort at the time, but once you have been offered the best job in the world for you, it will all seem worth it! Your CV is your tool for selling yourself to potential employers, so take advantage of the opportunity. If you really want to secure the job you have to put in the effort, things aren’t going to be handed to you on a plate, unfortunately.