Including enough evidence of what you have to offer to appear convincing and professional, without boring people to death or sounding like a job definition
Stretching yourself in terms of the way you write and the words you use: the CV has its own grammar that need not use sentences and paragraphs but if you think of a recruitment consultant writing a very concise report about you - then you will not go far wrong
Choosing an attractive style, which means simplicity: avoid boxes, graphics, templates in your WP programme, photos (unless you are a performer) and get your fonts right (Tahoma and Verdana are the best when you email your CV to recruiters and you can use 9.5 point size to give yourself space)
Testing and checking your new document: try your CV out on friends and partners and have at least one person proof-read it; there is no room for error and spell-checkers do not find every mistake; switch off your grammar checker because it does not apply to CVs at all
2 - The thought process behind a good CV
Before you ever write any kind of application it would help to pause, take out a clean sheet of paper and write the title: What do I want them to know about me ?
Forget about your personality: do not tell them you are enthusiastic, tenacious, good at teamwork and kind to lost kittens! You can send these messages, but it must be in a professional way:
Example: I want to tell them that I am such a good sales manager that my team has consistently over-performed despite the industry downturn and adverse factors such as a delay in new product launches.
Example: I want recruiters to know that the ways of dealing with people that I set up have made it possible for this organization to hold together despite the merger and subsequent redundancies.
For the moment, pay no heed whatsoever to the form of words; simply note down the most important messages that would impress someone who might recruit you.