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Colleagues call you ace, you always look busy and the chief executive knows who you are thanks to some smart moves at the office Christmas party. But have you done enough to earn yourself a raise? Not on that evidence. Here’s what it really takes to make the perfect pitch and boost your pay packet:

1. The bottom line.
“You have to know why you think that you are worth that much – however much you’re asking for,” says Professor...

How to get a new job

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In the words of a once-popular reggae song: You can get it if you really want it, so step up to the challenge

No one said that finding a new job was easy. But if your work has become as exciting as a cheese sandwich and you have to drag yourself out of bed each morning, it’s time for a new challenge. We asked three experts how to find a new job that will stop work being a chore.

1. What do you want? “People are often nervous about change. You have to be bold and go for the job that you really want,” says Sarah Berry, a career consultant. Ask...

How to: fill in for your boss

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EVEN the hardest-working managers need to take a break sometime, whether it's for a short holiday or a 12-month secondment to another office. And when they do, you might be asked to step into the breach by taking over during their absence. Here's how to make the most of this sparkling opportunity:

1. Know what's expected. There's a big difference between keeping an eye on things while your boss is in Greece for a fortnight and running the...

Successful applications

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Don't be daunted. Read it through slowly and carefully. Chances are it's not as horrendous as it looks at first viewing. Follow these eight steps to writing successful applications to secure you that all-important job.

1. Read the blurb
An application pack will usually consist of more than just the application form. The original advert, job description, person specification and some background...

How to write a covering letter

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Make your opening gambit the best one possible

COOL, firm handshake or a big wet kiss accompanied by a bum tweak? Either introduction would be remembered at head office, but only one in a good way. And it’s much the same with covering letters. Here’s how to say “choose me” without leaving your DNA behind.

1. First impressions count. “A covering letter is read before a CV, so make sure that it grabs the reader’s attention,” says Paul Laurie, the operations...

How to write CV

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Make sure your CV makes a good first impression

YOU know that you're a star but without a knock-out CV no-one else will believe you. Here’s how to impress and write yourself into a better job.

1. The nuts and bolts. The edited highlights of your working life should be no more than two pages long, says Andy Sharman, the head of recruitment for UK and Ireland at Procter & Gamble. “Less than two (full) pages suggests that you don’t have enough experience,” he says. Acceptable cheats include...