The beginning of a new year may inspire you to look for a new job, but is your cv up to the challenge? According to experts, it takes 34 seconds for an employer to decide whether or not a CV is worth investigating further. Cliches, lies, and typos are just a few of the reasons why people are denied interviews. So, what is the best way to write the perfect CV? It's far too easy to make a generic CV and apply for jobs randomly, especially if you're just getting started.

On the other hand, sending a boilerplate CV to a recruiter, much alone securing an interview, is never the best approach. In the IT industry, it's all about quality over quantity when it comes to job hunting. While it is impossible to personalize your CV to each job you apply for, your CV must demonstrate that you possess the necessary skills.

With that in mind, here are some suggestions for crafting the ideal CV that shows why you're the best candidate for the job.

A curriculum vitae, sometimes known as a CV, is a personal marketing document used to present yourself to potential employers. It should include information about you, your professional past, as well as your skills, abilities, and achievements. Finally, it should state why you are the best candidate for the position.

A curriculum vitae (CV) is required when applying for a job. In addition to your CV, some employers may want a cover letter and a completed application form.

Name, professional title, and contact information;

Your name, professional title, and contact information should all be listed in the first section of your CV, which should be at the top of the page. The phrases 'curriculum vitae' or 'CV' should never be used in the title of your CV because they squander valuable space. Instead, make the title your name. When it comes to contact information, your email address and phone number(s) are crucial. It used to be standard practice to include your whole address on your CV. All you have to do now is list your city and county. If you choose, you can also provide a link to your LinkedIn profile in this part - but only if it's up to date!

 Your profile, also known as a personal statement, career goal, or professional biography, is one of the most important parts of your CV. It's a short statement that shows after your name and contact information, giving potential employers an overview of who you are and what you believe in. You should tailor your profile to each job you apply for, highlighting specific skills that are pertinent to the position. Make your statement succinct and to-the-point, no more than a few phrases. To get the most out of this section, try to answer the following questions:

What's your given name?

What value do you bring to the company?

What are your long-term career goals?

In the employment history section, you can mention previous jobs, internships, and work experience. List your work history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent position being the most relevant to the employer.

Include your employment title, employer, dates worked, and a summary of the role when addressing each position. Then, in bullet points, list your most important tasks, talents, and accomplishments, backed up by strong verbs and numbers to back up your claims and demonstrate your dominance.

Your qualifications and education should be listed in reverse chronological order, just like your work experience. Include the names of the institutions you attended, as well as the dates you were there, after which you should include your qualifications and grades. If you just finished your studies, you can write your degree, A-levels, or GCSEs (or equivalents) as follows:

Dates of attendance at the institution (from-to)

Grade based on subject/qualification

If you have a degree, you may want to include a few of your most relevant classes, coursework, or projects.

Adding a few more sections to your CV might help you stand out and highlight your skills. If you have adequate room, here are a few examples you could provide:

Talented individuals If you're creating a functional CV or have specific knowledge you want to show off straight away, include a critical skills section beneath your profile. You should just include four to five skills at most.

Hobbies and interests: If you think your CV is lacking, you can improve it by including a section at the end about your hobbies and interests. If you're looking for a job in the environmental field, for example, why not highlight your love for climate change activism? Include activities that are relevant to the position you are applying for.

Avoid overusing words like "passionate," "hardworking," and "team player" in your writing. It varies by job, but use descriptive language that convey something. "Accountable," "accomplish," and "purpose" are all terms that come to mind. "What purpose did your job serve?" "How did you end up here?" could earn you bonus points.

Pay great attention to the specifics; it's difficult to be passionate about oneself because we're naturally modest, and it's even more difficult to read your CV as if it were the first time. Show it to someone you trust — preferably someone with whom you've worked – and ask for feedback.

On your CV, there are a few things you should not include. Here are a few of the more common ones:

A headshot: In many countries, it is standard practice to include a photograph of yourself on your CV. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, is not one of them.

Date of birth and age: Except when it's essential, the only dates that should appear on your CV are those connected to your employment and qualifications.

Your marriage status and dependents, as well as your age, have no influence on your work performance. Unless it's absolutely necessary

With these pointers, you can make sure your CV is perfect from the start, increasing your chances of landing a job. Your CV is your chance to make a great first impression. Following our 2022 advise and uploading your CV to apply for your next job is your best chance to make a great first impression and earn an interview.