This section provides an at-a-glance guide to the practical steps you need to take once you have clear ideas about the job you are looking for.

It will help you to

• Master the art of jobhunting
• Develop a CV that makes you stand out
• Make a success of interviews

For each area you will find ten top tips plus a link to more detailed help.

These tips will reveal some of the ways you can get a vital edge over the crowd. The best method is to mix and match the ideas that appeal to you most.

1. Understand the market

Did you know 80% of the job-seeking population are competing for 20% of the opportunities?

Most jobs are not advertised publicly. Even when they are, you're up against internal candidates or highly proactive people who get the position before it's even advertised.

So you too need to tap into this internal market rather than following the crowd and relying on newspaper and internet adverts. You can do this by looking at things through the employer's eyes...

2. Look at the employer's angle

Employers fill vacancies by taking an active people-based approach.

Most jobhunters though use a passive, paper-based approach. Once you understand this, you can start using much more proactive methods.

3. Use information interviews

This is one of the most effective tools you can use.

Don't hesitate to call people - most of us enjoy talking about ourselves and our jobs - and love giving advice. Professionals like to encourage newcomers to join their profession. They may even be looking to fill future vacancies but stick to information gathering and never ask for a job.

4. Take the inside track

Most jobs are filled well before they go public. So explore the back-door routes.

• Keep in touch with people in your chosen field/organisation
• Tap into their vacancy lists, newsletters, press releases etc
• Volunteer to work unpaid or on a trial basis or do work-shadowing
• Find out about firms' open days/visits and look for opportunities
• Use careers fairs to find out what job roles involve
• Take a temporary or lower-grade job to get into work and create a network
• Keep in touch with changes in your chosen field
• Sign up with a recruitment agency
• Enrol in a class or join a network related to your field/industry
• Research companies for new contracts, people retiring or market changes or other signs of potential new jobs
• Meet people who can help by joining a professional association
• Extend your network through voluntary work or community projects

5. Think win-win

The aim is to ensure benefits both for you and your potential employer.

Think beyond the job itself to the whole organisation. Use internet research or ring people to discover what the company needs – and how you can provide it

Then list:

• What you have to offer (with clear evidence)
• Why you want the job
• Where you can make the biggest contribution
• How you can make a difference (give examples)

Try working what benefits you will gain too. And check what kind of people you'll be working with – and where.

6. See the bigger picture

It's a big world out there and you need to widen your horizons – and your jobsearch activities.

• List things you are passionate about and think about jobs linked to them
• Talk to friends in jobs that appeal to you
• Think about topics that really interest you and seem to be growth areas
• Pick three geographical areas you would love to live and work in

Tell other people what kind of work you are looking for (once you've decided). The more eyes and ears looking out for you the better. Look ahead towards where you want to be in the long term. Keep adverts for jobs that might appeal to you in a few years time and see how you could get the kind of skills they are looking for. Ask friends and colleagues what kind of career they see you in career terms – it may open up new options.

7. Get the basics right

Be positive and realistic and recognise it's a long-term investment.

Develop key skills such as telephone technique, researching and networking and break tasks into easy steps As well as being proactive, don't overlook the obvious job markets you'll find on the internet and in local newspapers, directories and professional journals.

Use the careers service (private or local university), JobCentre, Chambers of Commerce and local business associations.

Draw up a hit list of organisations to target and make a speculative application or give them a phone call. You also think about taking a personal or career development course.

8. Try something new

Stop playing it safe and push yourself a little. New ideas you could try include:

• Advertise yourself by writing for papers, business magazines or the internet
• Offer your services as a consultant or freelance
• Get in first before jobs are advertised - contact high-flying local companies
• Spot growing small businesses in sectors that appeal to you and give them a call

9. Learn to deal with rejection

The big danger is not losing the job – but your self-esteem. Remind yourself it's your technique that's being rejected – not you!

There could be lots of other reasons you don't know about (e.g. the job may have been earmarked for an internal candidate) so tell yourself there's probably a more suitable position around the corner.

Gain feedback anyway and make use of it. And make sure you have people who support you when things do not go as planned.

Always have a Plan B – never put all your eggs in one basket.

10. Trust yourself and keep going

Try to make your jobhunting fun – focus on what excites and energises you.

Remember you're unique, and employers are always looking for your particular skills and experience.

Get out and about. And make sure you tell as many people as possible. Be prepared to compromise. You may have to take a 'survival' job to pay the bills but this gives you flexibility and you can use your prime time to work on achieving your dreams.

Get out and about. And make sure you tell as many people as possible. Be prepared to compromise. You may have to take a 'survival' job to pay the bills but this gives you flexibility and you can use your prime time to work on achieving your dreams.

Always go with your heart and you're more likely to be right. Don't stop – not even when you find a job. The jobhunting process has only just begun!