Whether you're looking for your first job or a new job, planning is everything.

Careful targeting, detailed research and advice gathering will make your job search shorter, easier and - ultimately - more successful.

Compiling your CV

It's not enough to jot down your qualifications and past positions, your CV is your one and only chance to make a first impression so make it a good one:

Do:

• Ensure all your contact details, including email address and mobile number are up to date.
• Tailor your CV to the job you're applying for, highlighting specific, relevant successes and achievements.
• Explain gaps in your job history - whether it was to bring up children, take a gap year or a spell of redundancy.
• Only include a detailed history of the last 5-10 years of employment.
• Set it out clearly, using bullet points where appropriate and working backwards from your most recent job.
• Spell-check, get someone else to check it and then spell-check it again.
• Include hobbies if they demonstrate a transferable skill ie if you're secretary of a running club you're likely to be organised, if you are in an amateur dramatics group you work well in a team.
• Use examples to back up claims - "I passed a year long coaching course in six months" sounds better than 'I'm a quick learner'.

Don't:

• Include every exam you've ever taken - an overview, highlighting relevant qualifications, is acceptable.
• Lie - you will get found out.
• Be tempted to print it out in green and use pretty fonts. It's not easy to read and may cause problems with it being read when emailed.
• Worry about how long your CV is. Some employers want two concise A4 sheets, some would prefer you not to skimp on what may be relevant detail.
• Write one CV and assume it'll do for every job. Different employers will be looking for different skills and achievements.
• Put your photo on your CV. You want to be judged on your skills not your appearance.

The job search:

Research: Find out what's available. Talk to people, go to networking events and job fairs. Read industry publications and websites. Local newspapers have regular recruitment sections and recruitment agencies carry on-line comprehensive listings of latest placements. If you're looking to move up within your sector or even considering a career change, find out what new skills you need then research relevant courses.

Sell yourself: Your CV and covering letter are the first contact a prospective employer is going to have with you so make them good. Research the company you are applying to, understand their aims and aspirations and then tailor your CV to their needs.

Make your cover letter short, pertinent and relevant. If you're responding to a job advert, check for special instructions, the name of the person to apply to and a closing date.

Interview: More research is key - make sure you know exactly where you're going, how to get there and where to park. Check out the dress code to ensure you wear appropriate dress - if in doubt it's better to over than under dress. Rehearse a few stock answers and have some key phrases ready. Use examples to highlight your successes. Know your market - use industry publications and websites to keep up to date so when the latest 'merger' or 'expansion plan' is mentioned you are prepared. Mirror the interviewer - if they remain formal, do the same. If it's a relaxed chat over coffee on a sofa, adopt a lighter manner. Be polite, interested and prepared.

Follow up: Always follow up an interview with a letter or email to say thank you and reiterate why you'd be perfect for the role.

Evaluation: Before you accept a job offer make sure it's the right one. Go back to the reasons why you started your job search - a new challenge, a bigger company, more opportunities, a bigger pay packet? Does the new job and company tick the right boxes? Consider it objectively because once you've tendered your resignation there's unlikely to be a way back.