A first impression always counts and nowhere is this more important that when searching for a new job. Your CV is the first thing a prospective employer can see of you and it really does count – That said, here are our top tips for the perfect CV.

1.     Keep it concise

Just like any introduction it is best to keep it short and sweet. You should include relevant information about relevant roles. The companies you worked for should be stated with relevant backup, for example – what your responsibilities were and their function in the company, the teams you worked in and the technologies you used and any relevant projects.

2.     Keep it relevant

Your CV should reflect the position and industry you are trying to get a job in.Talking about the skills you gained while in another job in a different discipline may be irrelevant, if you do discuss make sure some of the skills you learned are transferrable, for example – if applying for a web developer job, including that you worked in a local pub for 6 months or that you know Microsoft Word will be irrelevant to the job, so you should eliminate that information. Its a good idea to look at the job description that you are applying for and include all the skills that are required and bonus skills that you have experience of.

3.     Presentation

Make sure that the presentation is professional and to the point. Your CV is your way of seeing yourself, so you should include any information that you are proud of, whether that be a project, an award you won or a scholarship. Also make sure you use easily readable fonts and that the CV runs in chronological order when discussing experience.

4.     Make it error free and accurate

Try and make good use of spellcheck. Your CV should contain no grammatical errors of any kind! Employers see CV’s every day so will easily be able to spot an error in one. If at all possible, try and get a second opinion on your CV before submitting for consideration, just to be sure that it reflects on you in the best way possible.

5.     Be Honest

Even little white lies on a CV will be found out eventually. Most employers will be able to recognise a lie from a mile away on a CV, and even if they don’t and you get the job there will be a time when you are asked to do the task you said you could perform and will get found out. When writing your CV it is always best to include information that you know is accurate and honest.

6.     Include a Personal Summary

Technical skills are important, but so is company culture. Employers are looking to see motivation and personality where possible. A short intro introducing yourself and including a couple of relevant points is always a good idea – no need to go into massive detail – more so an opportunity to say what you do, why you do it and any of your motivations, interests and feats.

So there are our top tips for writing the perfect CV. These tips are worth following and if they are then you will be in the best position to be hired for the job.