Is there a perfect CV?

Probably not, but with thought and planning you can write the CV that will get you the interview.

As a serious job hunter you should realise that you must develop a standard CV, a catch all that you can then customise specifically for the position you are applying.

Once you have a job that you wish to apply for, research it and the company. Make a call to the person you believe is responsible, tell them you want to apply and ask a few prepared questions about the job, including a question asking whether this person will be the only one responsible for reading through the CV's. Write down the responses; use them to customise your CV.

 Points to remember: 

• Put all your contact details on the CV, it is amazing how many people forget
• No matter how experienced you are try and keep the CV to a maximum of 3 pages. What I have found useful is a CV supplement with project or more detailed information which you can attach to the email or letter that you write
• Information on your family is really not necessary and takes up space that could be better used
• Check your grammar and spelling, ask someone else to check it if possible (I have lost count of the number of CV's with typos in which their sender informs me that they are attentive to detail)
• Don't use text speak
• Write a personalised, one page long (maximum), cover letter 

Last and certainly not least, make sure that you send your CV to the correct address and if you do not hear anything after three days give them a friendly call and politely ask if they got your details. I know my spam folder has been known to include some interesting stuff, don't let this scupper your dream job.