Many organisations will review your CV as part of the interview process. Areas they are likely to probe are any gaps in career history. They will be concerned that you have not left out any job where you have not been at your best. They will want to know what you have been doing during any gaps. For all they know you might have been in prison!

Try to put a positive angle on any potential gaps, so if you have taken a year out to travel, whilst temping. Try something like "you were keen to broaden your horizons by working for different organisations doing different types of work". You get the idea.

Another issue often picked up on by interviewers is having several jobs for short periods of time. Here the employer will be concerned that you will leave after only a short period of time, especially when they have invested in your training. Prepare an answer that will give them confidence that you will stay. It might be that you were unsure what type of work you preferred but now you understand better what you are looking for from your job and you are looking for a long term career now.

Along with your CV make sure you are familiar with your application form and the details you have put down. Try to anticipate any questions you may be asked on the information you have used. So if you have said communication is a strength and quoted a particular example be prepared to expand and answer questions on it.

By investing time in your preparation you are building your confidence for the interview itself.

If you feel you would benefit from improved interview skills - click here

At the start of a new year many of us do this outside of work for things like lose weight, stop smoking etc. but if we are serious about getting the most out of our jobs we need to be proactive and think about setting goals for our Career.

The easiest way to do this is to sit yourself down with pen and paper and brain storm all the things you are looking to achieve in your career.

This will be different for all of us, some people just want to be as happy as possible in their jobs and earn a bit more money, whilst others are keen to move up the career ladder. Whatever your aims, by writing down your goals you are putting yourself more in control and more likely to achieve your desired outcome.

Don't just think of what you want in your immediate future but set out your goals for at least the year. If you are keen to get on then thinking of where you would like to be longer term, 2 years+ and 5 years+ can help you ensure your shorter term goals are in alignment with you achieving your ultimate ambitions.

If you want to work through your goals with me over the coming weeks then by next issue, have a good idea of your goals for the coming year. If you are more of a picture person you may find visualizing your career a way of sparking your goals. Find a quiet area to sit and relax. Close your eyes and look into your future, see yourself at work. What are you doing; who are you with; where are you etc? Then write down what your goals are.

Next time we will look at breaking down the goals so you are ready to approach your boss and discuss.

If you are keen to improve your career prospects why not consider working with a career coach - click here for more information on my services.

I will collate the feedback and look to include the career topics/issues that are most important to you.

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