To be successful in today's job market, it pays to put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager. After all, their perception of your CV could result in a job interview or a rejection.

Hiring managers are pushed for time, so they will usually spend a few seconds skimming your CV for must-have terms before they decide to commit to reading it fully. To pass this preliminary test, make sure your CV is extremely easy to read and is divided into appropriate sections.

Never make readers wade through large amounts of writing or you will risk losing their interest quickly. You should also research your target role thoroughly to identify what skills are most needed and ensure these are clearly included near the beginning of your CV. Providing a pleasant reading experience and reflecting the company's needs in your CV will create a perfect first impression.

Once managers have scanned your CV quickly, they will look at your present or most recent post. This is easily the best way to assess you, so managers will review this part of your CV thoroughly. Give this description your full attention and think about the questions that managers will want answers to, such as ‘Where do you sit within the organisation?' and ‘How do you contribute to the company?'

Many job seekers make bold claims in their CVs, but very few back them up with facts. Demonstrate the scale of your responsibilities by including numbers such as the size of budget you control, or the number of locations you work in. These numbers provide a scale that everybody can understand and leave readers in no doubt of the level you work at. You can also prove your impact by including quantifiable achievements you have had. Perhaps you have generated sales of £300k within six months, or maybe you have delivered a project that affected 3 million customers.

Even the smallest weakness can deter managers from shortlisting you. Obvious spelling and grammar mistakes will be warning signs, but they will also be on the lookout for gaps in the list of posts you have held, or facts that just don't add up. Proofread your CV thoroughly, including all of your dates, and don't be tempted to add any white lies. Keep everything looking as professional as possible and don't give them any reason to doubt you.