The first rule is don't lie.

While as many as one in three of us lie on our CV in the belief that employers don't check up, companies are increasingly wising up to this and have methods to check the facts from the fiction.

The best way to get a job is to see yourself as a product that you are marketing, so think very carefully about how you present yourself in your CV and covering letter.

A CV should be typed or word-processed and should ideally be two sides long with each side printed on a separate sheet.

Be as clear as possible, but don't get carried away - a fancy layout can detract from the contents.

Remember to try to link your skills and experience to the requirements of the advertised job.

• your full name, address, and contact details
• a personal profile emphasising your strengths, versatility and value to the future employer
• a list of your skills, achievements and key responsibilities
• your career history starting with the most recent
• your education and what qualifications were gained
• any professional qualifications you have
• relevant hobbies, interests or other skills
• details of referees (if requested)
• if you are applying for a job online, remember to be concise - no-one likes scrolling through long pages of material.

Mentioning interests and hobbies gives the interviewer an idea of how you spend your time after work. They could also be the basis of some small talk at some point during the interview. So do you pretend you have more interesting interests than you actually have, or do you stick to the truth? This article might help you to decide.

Here is an example:

Objective

Seeking an International Sales Management position, preferably in Information Technology

Experience

1996-present Infotech Birmingham, UK

National Sales Manager

Main achievements:

• Increased sales from £35 million to £55 million.
• Significantly increased sales per representative.
• Introduced Internet sales

1991-95 Infotronics Cardiff, UK Sales Manager South Wales

• Increased regional sales from £8 million to £12 million.
• Expanded sales team from 5 to 8 operatives.
• Suggested new profitable ICT services.

1989-90 xxx, UK Senior Sales Representative

• Increased sales by 300% annually.
• Closed deals with 100 major new accounts.
• Won over 25 competitor clients - adding £50 million to revenue.

1986-89 Electric Ace, Blackburn, UK Sales Representative

• Increased sales by 300% annually.
• Awarded company's highest sales two years in succession.
• Developed 'Effective Presentations' training course.

Education

• 1982-86 Edinburgh University, Scotland, UK
• BA, Business Administration
• Member of university cricket team

• 1978-82: St Mary's College, UK
• 3 GCE 'A' Levels, English, French, Economics.
• Active in school's Drama Society.

Interests: Music, cricket, amateur dramatics, bridge