Almost every job advertisement requires the inclusion of a candidate's CV - but only a professional CV will leave a good impression, secure an invitation to an interview and maybe even a dream job. There are hundreds of CV templates and creators on the web. You can of course use them, they will certainly make it easier to prepare the target document. Creating a CV in its basic form is only the beginning. It is worth remembering a few rules that will help you to write the perfect CV and make a positive impression on recruiters at the very first stage of your job search. You are only five simple steps away from a professional CV. Here they are:

• Step 1 - Tie the content of your CV to the attractive design of the document

You need to include a lot of relevant information in your CV. Ideally, their selected content should be presented in an appropriate graphic form. Take care of interesting template and format the text properly. The mandatory elements are similar in each CV, but it is worth remembering the basic principles of their presentation:

• personal data - present them as concisely as possible, without going into too much detail.
  • education - start with the latter and don't go back to your primary school days (unless it had a specific profile that also fits into your career path). Depending on the advert you are applying for, the most important thing for the recruiter will be the degree in your field of study or the one you finished last.
  • professional experience - Here, too, consider the right strategy. Most likely it will be enough if you describe industry positions. Changing your professional profile completely? Show in your CV where you worked, but put the emphasis on the responsibilities that helped you gain your current competences and that can be valuable for future work.
  • additional courses or training - focus on those that equip you with additional knowledge and skills that enrich your education and experience profile.
  • skills - write concretely, specifying the exact competences. It will definitely sound better to specify management of procurement budgets of more than PLN 1 million than, for example managerial skills.
  • interests - Some people shy away from stating them, but in our opinion it is worth writing them down here! Perhaps your interests will also prove to be an interesting addition to the qualities an employer is looking for in an employee?

Put all these messages in the right order and try to make the final length of the CV does not exceed two A4 pages. Use bold, italics, different font sizes, but always with taste and flair. A CV sent in this form is a formal document, so don't insert emoticons hereor unnecessary graphics.

• Step 2 - match your CV to the job offer

Every job is different. That is why CVs should also vary! Let's say that your education and previous experience allows you to apply for a job as a photographer, but also as a sales representative. Depending on which employer you are sending your CV to, highlight in it those skills which will be more useful in that particular industry. Unfortunately, a common mistake during a job search is to send one exact same CV to all companies. Sometimes all you need to do is reverse the order in which your courses or competencies are arranged, so that you leave the ones that best fit the job and the employer's requirements at the top. It's just a few minutes of extra work and the effect can be really significant.

• Step 3 - write only the truth!

This goes without saying, but it is worth bearing in mind, as there are still awkward situations for candidates involving false information on their CVs. Nowadays, it is quite easy to check a lot of data. A recruiter or your future employer may contact your former company or with the university that is listed on your CV. Detection of false information essentially excludes you from further recruitment. Therefore, be yourself - sincerity can be an added advantage and speak in your favour.

• Step 4 - remember the formalities

A CV is a document, so don't forget to add to it the knowledge required by the employer. Your contact details are essential - You decide in which form you would like to be contacted in the first instance, but at least one of the methods (telephone, e-mail address) must be indicated in the CV. At the very end of your CV there must be a clause giving your consent to the processing of your data. This is a mandatory element. It is worth checking whether the employer provides its version of the clause in the advertisement. If so, use it. If not, find a universal one on the internet examples of clauses for a CV. At the beginning of your CV, you can add the formula "Professional goal"which briefly (3-4 sentences) will define your motivation and explain your desire to change or search for this particular jobyou are applying for. Such a summary is a good and clear sign for the recruiter and makes it much easier for him or her to determine whether a candidate is worth inviting to an interview.

• Step 5 - add some... creativity!

Imagine a recruiter who has to read from several to sometimes even more than a hundred CVs for a single job advertisement. He has to select only a few of them and give their authors the opportunity to take part in a recruitment interview. If your education or experience matches the requirements outlined in the ad, then... Add some originality to your CV! Only then will you become memorable and increase your chances of being contacted back. How do you do this? Read the ad carefully - try to fit in with the style that the company itself represents. Perhaps you can find some interesting information about the company you are applying to? Try to relate to them by showing that you have analysed their business profile in detail. Adapt the degree of creativity to the industry and positionYou need to know what you are applying for. A CV for a law firm will look different to one for a marketing or graphic design agency. In either case, however, you can add interesting variety to your CV.

It would seem that A CV is a standard document - easy to create with templates and wizards. However, it is worth remembering that It is supposed to describe you and your skills. Don't let it lack your style and personality. A CV also has to show that you are the right candidate for the job, so try to match them to the employer's requirements and expectations as well. The skilful balancing of these two assumptions with the previously described 5 steps to the perfect curriculum vitae will make your CV perfect and significantly increase your chances of getting an interview.