One of the most crucial and difficult parts of the job hunting process is your CV and covering letter. Done well, you'll stand out from thousands of other applicants. Done badly, and all hopes will be dashed as your application ends up in the bin.
So it's not surprising that many people feel confused and anxious about what makes a good CV and covering letter. The options can be agonising: should you make it two pages or one? Do you put your age and personal details on? Where should you put formal qualifications? Do you put it in paper form or digital? And what's the right way to write a covering letter? Do you include buzzwords or do they drive potential employers mad?
There isn't one concrete answer to all of these – often it will depend on the type of career you're going for. Earlier this year, CV and covering letter, expert Clare Whitmell, spoke about the changing nature of CVs and how job-seekers are being more creative in the ways they market themselves to employers.
But if you're having trouble writing your CV and covering letter and need some expert advice on how to whip them into shape, join our live Q&A on Thursday 25 October from 1pm to 3pm.
We'll be discussing:
• How to make your CV and covering letter more effective
• The essential skills and keywords you should include in your application
• How to get creative with your CV and covering letter to ensure you stand out from the crowd
• Sector-specific templates that might help to give you a headstart.
Taking part in our Q&As is easier than ever. You can create a free Guardian account, or log in using your Twitter or Facebook profiles. Alternatively, you can tweet us on @GuardianCareers or email your questions to Chris Mandle.
Our panel includes:
Claire Whitmell is a Guardian contributor and a qualified business communication trainer. Clare specialises in writing and presentation skills coaching. She also blogs CV writing and job hunting tips on JobMarketSuccess.com.
Emma Bowers is an adviser with the National Careers Service. Emma is a professionally qualified adviser who has been delivering careers advice for the past eight years.
Nisa Chitakasem is the Founder of Position Ignition, a leading career consulting company focusing on career change, career development and how to get the most out of your career. She blogs regularly on their Career Advice Blog, runs regular career learning sessions and has published a growing collection of popular Career eBooks.
Sarah Coughtrie is a managing consultant at DMJ Recruitment who has been recruiting lawyers since 2005. Sarah's work focuses on the recruitment of lawyers at all levels into London and international law firms.
Helen Stringer is careers service manager at the University of Warwick's student careers and skills department. Helen also works as editor of the Warwick Careers Blog.
Phil Roebuck is founder/director of Web Recruit, an online recruitment service. Phil set up Web Recruit in 2001 and gained investment from businessman and Dragons' Den star James Caan.
Hannah Morton-Hedges has over 10 years experience as a careers adviser and now runs her own consultancy, Momentum Careers Advice. She also has experience as an in-house recruiter for major blue-chip companies, recruiting from graduate to senior executive level.
Laura Smith is candidate marketing executive at Milkround, the graduate resource for internships, jobs and grad schemes. She provides support, guidance and career confidence to students and graduates up and down the country and tweets at @iamlaurasmith.
Shelby Thompson is head of talent acquisition for PepsiCo UK & Ireland, the global food and beverage leader. Since joining PepsiCo in 2007, Shelby has managed PepsiCo's campus recruiting programs, including undergraduate, MBA, internship and diversity partnerships.
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