1. Keep it concise. Unless you have an exceptionally interesting and overachieving background, two to four pages should suffice.

2. Check and re-check your CV for spelling and grammatical errors and then give it to someone else to check as well. It's not that most employers are pedantic spelling demons but that mistakes are an indication of sloppiness and are also just plain distracting when you're reading a document (that goes for essays too).

3. Make it as easy as possible for the employer to contact you. Consider buying a prepaid mobile phone if you don't already have one and check your email regularly.

4. Outline your education in reverse chronological order, i.e. most recent jobs first.

5. Make the most of your work experience. Don't be ashamed to highlight potentially relevant skills, abilities and attitudes that you have learnt or developed in jobs that in themselves don't sound too flash - most students don't have the most high-powered or awe-inspiring jobs while studying. Highlight specific projects or achievements if they are relevant to the attributes the employer is looking for.

6.  Include any unpaid work that fills a gap or that shows you have the skills for the job.

7. Choose a resume format that fits your situation--either chronological or functional.

8.  Arrange your action statements according to the format you choose.

9. It emphasizes your accomplishments, not your past job duties or job descriptions.

10. It documents skills you enjoy using, not skills you used just because you had to.

11. Describe each accomplishment in a simple, powerful, action statement that emphasizes the results that benefited your employer.

12. Consider a highlight section Recruiters and hiring managers often take less than a minute to read a resume. To make your minute count, consider including a highlight section at the top of your resume, directly below your name, and, if you use one, your objective. Highlight sections most benefit job seekers whose qualifications don’t exactly match the job description. You’re more likely to get the recruiter’s attention by emphasizing your transferable skills and exceptional accomplishments at the top of your resume instead of scattering them throughout.

13. Proofread Typos, misprints, and grammatical errors will likely land your resume in the trash before the recruiter even sees your qualifications. A polished, error-free resume is key to a successful job search.

Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek Communication skills (verbal and written) Honesty/integrity Teamwork skills (works well with others) Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) Motivation/initiative Strong work ethic Analytical skills Flexibility/adaptability Computer skills Self-confidence New Hire Skills Top 7 skills employers seek in new hires Interpersonal Teamwork Verbal communication Analytical Computer Written communication Leadership