ALTHOUGH there is always an underlying fear of a return to recession times, the employment market is a very different one from that of the heady days of the mid and late 1980s.

Ccompetition for all types of jobs is still intense.

Whether you are looking for a career move or a short-term assignment, the key to success lies in your ability to sell yourself to potential 'buyers'.

You may have excellent technical skills or good business acumen, but if you cannot get the message across to an employer, the enforced horrors of daytime television watching may be a more likely prospect than your perfect job!

For candidates the job application process usually begins with a written application with the majority of employers and consultancies now expecting you to submit a CV, a brief history of your experience and achievements to date.

In a still overcrowded market, recruiters, whether they are consultants, human resources people or line managers, are often faced with a huge pile of CVs in the first stage of the selection process, so it is essential your resume communicates quickly and efficiently and conveys the right impression.

Never write out a CV by hand, even if your handwriting is a work of art; a typewriter or word processor is essential. Check spelling and punctuation meticulously as just one mistake can spoil an otherwise good impression.

Use high quality white or cream paper and envelopes and don't forget to make sure that you get the postage correct.

When you are listing your personal details, keep them to the essentials which should include name, age, date of birth, address, marital status, nationality, home telephone number and, if it is at all possible, daytime telephone number.

Resist the temptation to include fascinating data such as height and weight, names of children and spouses, and details of scouting badges gained in childhood.

The next element is your educational background, which should include a list of all secondary schools and any further education establishments you have attended, complete with dates and examination successes, both academic and professional.

Don't be over-modest about your grades. Recruiters tend to be a nasty, suspicious lot and are likely to assume the very worst if you leave them out.

Moving on to the employment history section, remember that too much detail is just as bad as reducing the past to a couple of sentences.

List your jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent first - this is also the position that should be covered in the most detail.

Give accurate dates and explain briefly the reasons for any gaps so the interviewer doesn't mistake your round-the-world trip for a spell in Parkhurst.

Aim to show a history of progression and achievement in your career.