Keep to the arrangements you have agreed with the prospective employer. If you promised to ring at 10 o'clock on Monday morning - then do it at the time you promised!

Regular and efficient follow-up shows enthusiasm and reliability - do not spoil your chances at this final post by irritating the prospective employer with too many unnecessary calls.

Remember this is your marketing document - a brochure on you. It is your first introduction to the prospective employer and will create the first impression of you. Surely it is worth some effort? This will determine whether you will progress to the next stage, i.e. the interview. First things first, read the application form carefully before attempting to complete it and fully understand the questions that are being asked.

It may be helpful to take a copy of the form and complete the copy in pencil first in order to enable you to complete the original form correctly without making alterations.

Use neat clear handwriting, using ink, never pencil.

Don't leave spaces on the application form. Why shouldn't you answer all the questions? If you omit to answer, this will automatically make your prospective employer suspicious.

It is very obvious when a candidate has made an effort to complete and present a form fully and effectively. Likewise it is very apparent where no effort has been made at all.

“See CV” is a very irritating comment to see on a form - when you may have 200 forms to read. It is obviously easier to get through a large number of applications if they are in a consistent format - so please be co-operative and complete the application form even if you have already made considerable effort on your CV.

“To be discussed” is another irritating comment to read on an application form.

Omitting remuneration information is not wise - it just means the employer has to contact you to find out your current earnings before deciding whether your application is appropriate.

Please be sure that you provide a full enough explanation on your job role, your product and market knowledge, etc. for the reader to fully understand your skills and capabilities and knowledge.

Don't forget to list your achievements in each job role. All prospective employers will want to assess how good you were in each job.