On average, employers receive 20 applications for each skilled job ad and 60 for every low-skilled job. 

 

Research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) shows that nearly half of those candidates are well-suited for the job.

 

That makes the curriculum vitae (CV) increasingly more important when they are trying to stand out in a very crowded field.

 

According to experts, there are a few golden rules you should use when creating your CV, which certainly includes getting your grammar, spelling, and accuracy correct.

 

Avoid common mistakes, like forgetting to commas in between your interests of interesting people and cooking cats or stressing your "dew diligence." These types of errors are quite glaring and can sabotage your chances for landing a good job. Take a look here for examples of how to avoid these errors.

 

Important points

 

Applicants frequently need to send a CV and complete an application

 

If you are sending a hard copy of your CV along with your job application, then make sure it is typed and as neat as possible. A majority of libraries have public computers that can be used if you don't personally own one.

 

It is becoming more common for applicants to be asked to send digital copies of their CV. In that case, the first "eyes" to see it may be an automated search looking for certain keywords. Therefore, it is recommended by experts that applicants make sure to include all of the mandatory requirements from the job ad in their CVs.

 

Experts also recommend that your digital CV should be in a simple font and format so that different screens do not affect readability.

 

Here are some additional tips when creating your CV:

 

Tailor your CV to a specific position - it is critical to ensure that your CV is relevant and tailored to every specific job application, instead of just sending out the same generic CV for each job you apply for.

 

Keep things simple - use active language and make sure your CV is easy to read. Two pages are sufficient with a brief profile included on the top part of the first page.

 

Include key information - your personal contact details, including name, phone number, address, email address, and professional media presence, if any, should all be necessary. Due to age discrimination rules, it is no longer necessary to include your date of birth. You only need to include a photo for jobs like modeling and acting. Otherwise, it is just a matter of personal preference.

 

Showcase your achievement - provide evidence of how you exceeded targets or created new ideas, just make sure to be honest at all times.

 

Check and double-check your CV - make sure you avoid any slopping errors or obvious mistakes by looking at your CV the next day and have a trusted colleague or friend give a second look and opinion.