A focused CV is the best way to get your new potential boss to notice you. Stand apart from the crowd with your CV and your new job is only just an interview away!

When you look at the classifieds section of the paper, or read the jobs notice board, make sure you read the advertisement carefully. Decide what aspects of your personality, qualifications, skills and experience you can offer to this new job/career. Write these down in a list and use strong "action words" - for example: I am organised, efficient, and hard-working, I have managed and coordinated events and people. I studied and achieved personal and professional excellence and completed a degree in ..."

If you do not have a clear idea of the message you would like to convey (are you a dynamic individual? Do you have years of experience in this profession? Are you someone who works well under pressure?), don’t start writing, but think again. Make sure you have at least 10 - 20 points on your list that you've made in point 1.

Be precise and critical. Don’t overdo things by presenting everything about yourself that you can think of. Nobody expects or even wants that – so don’t.

A CV should be personal, but it is not a biography. Nor is it a paragraph, or even a novel, in which you tell the story of your professional life! Leave out personal information that is not relevant to the position - for example, the boss doesn't need to know that you have children if the job is for a sales position at Truworths! If the job for which you're applying is in a creche or as a nanny, then the fact that you have three kids may be relevant.

Be truthful. By being so, you show confidence in yourself and your achievements - this is especially useful when it comes to sitting through an interview. You cannot speak further about your experience as a nuclear scientist if you barely passed your Science matric!

A few don’ts: Don't lie, exaggerate, make promises you cannot live up to, justify, grovel, or be a "boot licker".

Think how you want to structure the selection you have made of relevant aspects. When summing up, use bullets.

Phrase your CV in positive language. It helps if you write short, active sentences and avoid too many adjectives.

Start with your best achievements that match the crucial job requirements. Don't tell the employer how they can help you but rather point out how you can help them. How are you going to work for the benefit of the employer.

Emphasize your business related experience, the wider the better. If you have good working relationships with experts in the field, check with them if you may use them as your references.

Ask for advice before sending your CV. Get someone you know in a related field to read it. Be prepared to revise your text.

Test your CV by applying for several positions, on your level, but also a bit higher up the ladder. That’s how you really get to know the market and your worth.

Your CV should be tailor-made. Therefore, when applying for different jobs with basically the same CV, you should nevertheless adapt it to each particular position: variations on your theme.

Incorporate key elements of the employer’s advertisement to show that you have understood him/her. The recruiter will probably start his/her selection by searching for ‘his’ or 'her' keywords through all the responses.

Use your CV to get over the doorstep and into the interview. There you have ample opportunity to elaborate on your achievements.

Most importantly, DONT GET DISCOURAGED! For every 100 CVs you send out you may get only 10 interviews, and for every ten interviews only one job - the right one is out there waiting for you! Stay determined and focused and you'll soon be sprinting up that corporate ladder!

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