Seven times more people choose January to look for a new job than in the summer months -- which makes winter a good time of year to get your CV in order, according to fish4jobs.co.uk.

Recent national statistics show that job vacancies are on the increase and there are now more than 30,000 positions available on fish4jobs.

But, although more jobs are becoming available, the competition to get them is still fierce.

There are several preparations that can be made to be ahead of the game, reveals fish4jobs.

First ensure all materials that may be needed are ready to use.

Keep the CV up to date and saved on a disk. Remember the best CVs get the best jobs, so keep it brief and to the point. In addition, employers polled by fish4jobs agree that avoiding a few simple pitfalls on a CV will increase its chances of being added to the Yes pile.

When writing a CV, you should avoid:

1. Poor presentation and spelling mistakes

2. Use of jargon

3. Career gaps of more than a few months

4. CV runs to 2+ pages

5. Bad Paper quality

6. Unspecific hobbies (eg reading, socialising)

Also include a well-written, concise and interesting covering letter with the CV. Use it to show that a bit of research has been done into the company, the job on offer and why you have applied to them. Close on a hopeful note such as 'I look forward to meeting with you soon'. Signs of confidence will inspire potential employers to set up a meeting.

Finally, aim to make each job application individual. Make minor adjustments to the CV to make it more relevant to each position being applied for.