Job hunting today?

According to a new report by MyJobGroup, today is the busiest day of the year for job-hunting. MyJobGroup, which posts vacancies on its website, studied the past seven years of data and found that the first "normal" Tuesday after the new year was the busiest for the number of people looking for new work or a career change.

But in a country which has the national average of 8.3% unemployed, the highest since 1996, finding a new job won't be easy. It's said that recruiters take 30 seconds to judge a CV, so what can you do to stand out from the crowd?

Strong CV - Get the basics right
Taylor each CV to each role showing your strengths. Avoid spelling errors, Research has shown that  CVs without spelling errors are 61% more likely to get a response and 26% more likely to get an interview.

Network
Join professional associations which will be useful in your chosen field. Use Social networking sites, ensure your LinkedIn Profile is up to date and complete.

For the interview
Prepare well, research the company and role thoroughly. Prepare questions in advance, this is your chance to ensure the job will work for you.

On the day
Don't be late! Turn up about 10 minutes early and try to relax. Be yourself, smile and be positive and honest. Be keyword savvy - know your industry. Don't be negative about previous employers, everybody knows someone...

CMI has a job site offering Management roles at all levels