In a shrinking jobs market there are no second chances, so a spot-on curriculum vitae (CV) is essential to get you through the door of any potential employer. Here is the Times Money guide to CV essentials.

Clear presentation

You will fall at the first hurdle if your CV is not clear and concise. Limit your CV to one or two sheets on white A4 paper. Use a simple font, such as Arial, which is easy to read (no smaller than 10pt).

If you can get hold of some good quality paper it could improve the overall impression of your CV. Do not worry about using colour - it is likely to be photocopied and circulated - and remember to put your name on every page.

Style, formatting and spelling

It is important to use the limited space available on your CV to sell yourself. Use strong, positive descriptive words which will impress the person reading your CV, but don't over-egg it with hyperbole. Do not write in the first person and watch out for repetition.

Don't be tempted to use graphics or adventurous formatting - it is likely to deter your potential employer. Only include a photo if it is required.

List your personal details at the top of your CV, followed by your personal statement, employment history, education and training, interests and achievements, additional information and finally details of your references. This is the chronological style and is most common. You can view templates at careersadvice.direct.gov.uk

Spelling mistakes will give the impression of laziness or worse, disinterest. Spell-check your CV at least twice and get a relative or friend to read it.

Tailor your CV

You may be proud of the three weeks you spent serving lattes in Starbucks, but your potential employer is unlikely to be so interested (unless you are applying to be the manager of a coffee shop). Strip out the parts of your CV which you cannot directly tie into the company and position you are interested in.

You could even go one step further, eschewing the traditional chronological CV format and opting for a performance or functional CV, which prioritises skills and experience over details of roles, employers or education. For more details, visit CVspecial.co.uk or Alec.co.uk .

Your statement, additional information and references

This is your chance to grab the attention of your potential employer and impress him or her with your core skill set, objectives, career goals and/or experience. Your personal statement should be short and to the point, specific to the prospective position. Remember you have the rest of your CV to give detailed examples of your skills.

Use the space for additional information to explain any gaps in your employment history or anything else you think could be relevant. Remember to keep it short - your employer does not want to read your autobiography.

Any other skills could also be included in this section, such as a driving licence. Your referees should include at least one previous employer and no relatives, unless you have no other alternatives. A family friend with a respectable job would be more suitable.

Tell the truth

It is easy to sprinkle a bit of make-believe on your CV to make your employment history sound more impressive, but beware. A good employer will pick out these points and ask you to embellish in your interview, which you may not able to do. It could also check up on your qualifications.

You are even advised to play it safe with your additional information. Fluent in French may look good on the page, but when your interviewer asks you "pourquoi êtes-vous le meilleur candidat pour ce rôle", you will look foolish if you can't answer back.

Put yourself in the mind of a potential employer

Take the time to read over your CV from the perspective of a prospective employer. If something you have included sticks out or sounds unprofessional, remove it. It will confuse your potential employer too.

Get professional help

If you are still stuck, employ the help of a professional. For information and advice on how to write or improve your CV, contact the Careers Advice Service on 0800 100 900.

There are also a number of books on the market, including Brilliant CV: What Employers Want to See and How to Say It, by Jim Bright and Joanne Earl (Prentice Hall, Pounds 5.99) and How to Get a Job You'll Love, by John Lees (McGraw Hill, Pounds 12.99)

Five news stories

Gap-year graduates to be funded by taxpayers

Young are hit hardest as jobs take a dive

Graduate unemployment hits all time high

Employment prospects for young people look poor

Recession brings new reality to final-year students

Five features

The beauty of filling in your CV gaps

Put together a great CV

You'd be mad to hire me...

Getting intimate with your employer

When a CV is crime fiction

Five websites

Careers Advice

Alec

Prospects

Direct.gov.uk

Oxford University Careers Service