Many people tend to create a one CV that suits all job descriptions. Of which, that is what makes the recruiters throw it away at just one glance. You need to get the attention of the recruiters as soon as they see your CV and that can only happen if the resume is customized for that particular job.
A well-tailored CV gets the attention and interests of those who are reading it. It is not all about letting them know what you can and have done and how learned you are. It is about their interests. It is about what they are looking for.
You may be well learned but how is that going to benefit the company that is looking forward to employ you. Don’t just list out everything anyhow. Match your information with what the job description is saying.
Your experience should match with the listed requirements. Start with the most relevant positions that you have worked on previously. Write it starting with the latest position going down, like in reverse chronological order.
In the skills section, make sure your skills are matching the required set of skills listed in the job description. Indicate how you applied or used these skills previously by mentioning specific contributions and achievements.
An example would be that of a Human Resource manager contributing to the motivation of the workforce and increased productivity as well as reducing labor turnover. A sales manager can come up with ideas of how to boost company sales and come up with numbers indicating the difference.
Wrong spellings and grammar are a real turnoff for recruiters. They will just make you appear like an unserious fellow. If an email with wrong spellings and typos can be regarded as illegitimate then your CV can be trashed without thinking twice.
Avoid using font size that is too small to read or just too large to look neat. Choose a font size that is easy to read and appear professional as well as neat. If you are to use different colors then make sure the color you choose are really visible. Black is always safe though on white paper.
It may be difficult to have a one-page CV but it is advisable to try and make it very brief and precise. There might be no enough time to flip through all those pages on your CV.
Another important thing is giving real references. Some people just put wrong references and that may ruin your chances of ever getting a chance with that company because you are not trustworthy.
Your formatting should be clear to make it easy for the recruiters to navigate your CV. Headings should be clear and the formatting has to be consistent. You may add a suitable picture of yourself too.
Lastly, you should know your CV in and out for the sake of the interview!!!