When preparing your CV for a prospective employer, follow these steps to make it stand out and increase your chances of landing an interview.

Presentation

Use good quality white paper with a plain typeface like Arial or Times New Roman (nothing fancy as it detracts away from what your cv covers).
Avoid italics and decorative fonts and don’t add an ornate border.
Simple and clear is best.
Try to keep your CV to no more than two or three pages.
And remember most importantly to be honest.

Structure

Put your name at the top of the front page with your contact details directly underneath. Only include your work number if you do not mind being contacted there.
Have a clear structure that is easy to understand and read; present facts about yourself clearly and concisely.
Use bullet points rather than complete paragraphs as this helps important sections of your cv stand. However, be careful not to bullet point your whole cv.
Your educational history, academic achievements and work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Your university degree should come before your school exam results.
Never leave gaps. If you took a year out or carried out interim assignments, say so, otherwise employers can become suspicious.
Leave your hobbies and interests until last and keep this section short.

Double-check and proof read

Check your CV carefully, always run a spell check over it and carefully re-read to ensure accuracy.
Your CV is the first impression any potential employer will have of you. Take the time to get it right, you may not have a second chance.