Firstly it has to be simple, ideally no more than 2 or 3 pages. The average CV gets read in approximately 10 – 15 seconds, so be sure your CV is very easy to read. In other words, the person looking at your CV should be able to see  exactly who you have worked for and what that company does. Just because you know the company or it’s a household name like IBM, Royal Bank of Scotland,
Virgin, etc it doesn’t mean everyone is familiar with what your specific division does.

•  Avoid special effects, weird and wonderful fonts, graphics etc., stick to traditional font of Times New Roman / Arial, 12 point size, and black type against a white paper. You might try a different type size for your name, the companies you have    worked and perhaps your title (possibly even putting these in bold), but be consistent.
• Prepare it in a simple Word format that can easily be viewed on most computers. Not a table format or template.
• Use a reverse chronological order, so list your present or most recent job, first, and then work backwards. You should state the complete name of the company you work for, or have worked for, and what they do, how long you were there (ideally month and year). Then list the position you hold or held, a bit about your duties and your accomplishments. You don’t have to use full sentences, also it sometimes looks cleaner if it is bullet pointed. Begin with verbs. “Managed the top 10 Key Accounts in Scotland – Consistently over-achieved against set targets,” for example.
• Get rid of objectives and summary and all that silly stuff, it’s all fluff really and an employer doesn’t care about your pbjective, they care about there’s.
• Don’t go overboard on the personal information such as married with three kids, aged 13yrs, 17yrs & 23yrs etc. This may sounds stable to you, but if the position involves travel, it may lower your chances of being interviewed.
• Stories sell. Numbers, statistics, percentages is what makes you different to other candidates. For example - Increased profit by this 28%. Came under budget by 30%. Top Salesperson 2009 – 2010. These kind of achievements are what makes YOU stand out from the crowd.
• Fuzzy key words and phrases should be avoided. These include things like customer-oriented, excellent communications skills, and creative. These words lack meaning and do absolutely nothing to help you get an interview.
• Get the photos off your CV, you are looking for a job, not a date.

Obviously this is my view from my experience, but feel free to challenge and please let me know if you have different ideas?

1. Research The Company – How much do you know about the company? It should always be plenty, and all the information you will ever need is available online.
2. Utilise Your Contacts – Do you know anyone who either works at the company or has had dealings with the company.
3. Practice – Think about the typical interview questions you will probably be asked during the interview.  Practice interviewing with a friend or family member ahead of time and it should make your actual interview less daunting.
4. Interview Technique - A job interview gives you a chance to shine. What you don’t say can and will be used against you in a job interview. If you come to an interview chewing a sweet or drinking a bottle of water, you will already have one strike against you. Too much aftershave or perfume or not enough deodorant won’t help either. What You Do Say – Your verbal communications are so important. Never use slang or swear. Speak clearly and articulate your words. If you need to think about a response to a question, that’s fine. It’s better to think before you talk than to stumble over your words
5. Dress to Impress - The first impression you make on a potential employer are crucial. The initial judgment an interviewer makes is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. That’s why it’s important to always dress to impress.
6. Group Interview - Interviewing with one person is tough enough, but it’s even harder when you have are greeted by a panel. Always connect with the group as well as the individual interviewers. When one interviewer asks a question, respond directly to them, but also make eye contact with the rest of the group as you’re answering. The more engaged you are with everyone the better impression you’ll make
7. The Telephone Interview - While you’re actively job searching, it’s important to be prepared for a tele interview on a moment’s notice. You never know when you might get a call and be asked if you have a few minutes to talk. Prepare for a phone interview just as you would for a regular interview. Compile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of answers. In addition, plan on being prepared for a phone conversation about your background and skills. Have a list of your achievements to review. Always have a pen and paper handy for taking notes. Clear the room of unwanted distractions. Unless you’re sure your mobile service is going to be perfect, consider using your landline
8. Thank You – Taking the time to say thank you after a job interview not only is good etiquette, it also confirms your interest in the position. Follow up with a thank you e-mail as well, as this gives you an opportunity to re-affirm your interest and to address any issues

Close Close Close – Always ask a closing question at the end of the interview, irrespective whether you are going for a job as a Sales Professional, an Administration Assistant or a Java Developer this is crucial. Also you will know when to ask that all important question as the interviewer will invariably ask you if you have any other questions you would like to ask……..….this is it, this is your big finale……Now you can ask various questions including ….What do you think of me, or do I tick all the boxes, or is there any reason why I would not be invited back for a 2^nd interview etc., but the most important thing is that you must ask the question. Why….because this is the only opportunity you get to get proper face to face feedback so use it wisely, don’t leave the interview thinking to yourself….I should have asked this or I should have asked that cause its too late….ABC – Always Be Closing……Good luck