In the past, no one retyped their CV every time they applied for a job. Now, with the introduction of Word Processing you can, if you wish, customize your CV to all job applications. However, the effort involved should be justified. If it makes a difference to you getting a really good job, then it is probably worthwhile. Otherwise, specific re-targeting may be best left for just the covering letter. The CV can be more generally targeted to the job area, sector or industry, with maybe a change in the opening CV‘s Profile or Career Object Statement stating your aspirations. As everyone's job search situations are different, there is no single answer to the question on "How to Make a CV" suit all, but there are some simple criteria that can be used to help you make the decision. As a general rule it wise to play the numbers game and submit your CV to as many viable jobs as possible within the advertised and unadvertised job markets.

As an exercise, when you feel you need to submit a CV, ask yourself the following questions: What skills am I selling? To whom am I selling?  Why do they need my skills?  Why should they choose me rather than other candidates? If you feel a general CV targeted only to the job area or industry will work, then fine - send your CV off with the covering letter, but be honest with yourself don't just take the easy option because you cannot be bothered with more specific CV targeting.  (You can download a CV template at my website).  Personally, I support the general CV as you can specifically write the covering letter for every job application. The general CV can be "over targeted" i.e. it can be best if you communicate and fit the job criteria with the impression that you have just pulled the CV out of the bottom draw and written the letter. With this in mind, from my experience it is then best to write the letter in a different font type and different paper.

How to Make a CV - (The Personal Profile or Career Objective Statement)

'If I get one more results-orientated, dynamic, sales executive today, I shall throw up!'  To add individual impact to your CV is to include a paragraph the intention of which is to summarize, in no more than a few lines, your experience and achievements, maybe you skills but not your personal attributes, (unless you a school leaver of graduate with little or no experience). The personal profile can be closed off with a short career statement matching your aspirations maybe with a titled job vacancy - the same personal profile may not be is appropriate for every vacancy. This is written at the beginning of your CV immediately after your name, address and contact details. 

Personal Profile and Career Objective Statement Errors

* Copying other profile examples and over used content taken from job advertisements.

* Too much focus on personal attributes rather than skills, experience and achievements.

* Writing a profile that sounds just like any number candidate. 

Make your CV as a solution to somebody's problem and rewrite your closing sentence in your profile to suit a specific job target or job area. This will also focus your mind (experience, skills and achievements) that need to be communicated to your potential employer and the reasons why you are the right person for the job. Write your achievements with bullet points quantifying them if you can. More specific achievements can also be written in the covering letter for greater impact.

Mike Kelley
http://www.cv-service.org