Writing a good curriculum vitae is not easy.

CV's are often filtered by keywords, so make sure that you use the relevant terms within your resume, and avoid repetition of the same keyword, use alternative terms if you can. This will improve the likelihood of being picked up by a database search. Be careful with the use of abbreviations and acronyms, these can be more difficult to find unless they are universally used.

List your most recent work experience first. Then your qualifications. A lot of recruiters aren't interested in your hobbies or pastimes. Consider carefully before adding them, if you are going to list walking, reading and travelling, will this really add anything to your profile? If you have interests that are highly relevant, by all means include them.

Make sure that the document is spell checked and that someone else proof reads it for you. Spell checking won't prevent common mistakes such as using "roll" when you mean "role", these are the sort of mistakes another reader is more likely to spot.

Concentrate on concrete achievements rather than superlatives describing how excellent you are. Numbers and facts are much better and more convincing than puffing your own profile.

Tell the truth! You can cover short gaps in employment by using years rather than specific dates for employment dates. Also, there is no need to explain why you left a post, unless it is for positive reasons. You should have an explanation ready for interview though.

Avoid use of personal pronouns (I, my, me). Always write in the third person, this gives your statements more impact.

Write in short clear sentences.

There is no single answer to the question of length of your resume, it should reflect your experience. Anything less than a page is too short and anything over three sides is too long. Try to make your CV fit neatly on the page, avoiding going on to the first few lines of a new page.