You probably have to fight for a single vacancy with hundreds and maybe thousands of other applicants. This is particularly true for the competition in London. It is now even larger due to the recent recession. The vacancies are fewer while the number of unemployed is relatively high. You simply have to stand out in the crowd.
Preparing a brilliant cover letter with a highlight of all your qualities is essential, but you should keep in mind that the HR will look at your CV first. It is essential for you to make the resume short and straightforward, but at the same time it should also point out your skills and qualities. You are guaranteed success if you tailor your CV for the particular position you are applying for.
The first thing you have to do in order to prepare your resume is to do some research. It is essential for you to find out what the requirements of the industry are. Some sectors require dynamism while in others the creativity is the leading factor for success. Then you should look at the specifics of the position you are applying for. You should be able to outline all the skills and qualities necessary for the job. It is also a good idea for you to research the company that you are applying to work for. By learning more about their history, size and work style you will be able to tailor your CV more effectively to match their requirements.
After completing your research you should list all the qualities and skills that will be required from you by the employer. You can certainly match these with your relevant work experience and education even if you have not been employed in the particular industry. For example, along with mentioning your previous employment you can add some detail about a successful project. You can state in brief the accomplishment and your contribution to it outlining the skills you applied and developed such as team play and leadership.
Generally, you should not miss to put some of your major and most relevant achievements in your CV. You can even have a separate section for these. You should definitely mention any personal and team awards. You can readily add information about a quick promotion or about top performance in your previous employment.
It is definitely a good idea for you to mention some interests and hobbies in your resume especially if there is empty room available on the paper. The participation in team sport is valuable for those applying for managerial positions. It is essential for the designers to be interested in art. The mentioning of hobbies and interests will certainly let the recruiter get to know you better, which is an advantage.
You do not have to follow a time frame structure in your job tailored CV, but it is a good idea not to point out outdated projects and achievements. A lot of people believe that putting an introduction with the career aim is not presentable, but this is definitely not the case. You can readily think of a sentence that expresses your commitment to working in the industry and/or company and how your qualities match the position you are applying for.