Your CV is everything. If it's too dull or filled with generic buzzwords, it risks being ignored. But being too creative with the truth can cost you your job too – as top US Syria analyst Elizabeth O'Bagy found out recently, when she was sacked for lying about having a PhD.
Writing a good CV is not just about listing your experiences and qualifications, it's also a chance to sell yourself in the right way to an organisation. From the tone of writing, to how you choose to describe your work or what aspects you choose to emphasise, every detail of your CV is critical.
Whether you're a graduate applying for your first job, or a seasoned professional looking to move into a new role, perfecting your application is well worth it to set a good first impression.
"People reveal far more about themselves in their CV than they realise," says Corinne Mills, managing director of Personal Career Management. "Writing your CV is an act of self-definition: it represents who you are in a work context and who you want to be."
And these days it's not just the content that's important. Breaking from the tradition of a two-page CV, some employers now like CVs sent in other formats such as video or even via Twitter.
To help you piece together your CV and make it as effective as possible we've assembled a panel of experts who will be on hand from 1pm to 3pm on Thursday 26 September to share their advice. If you have any questions about CVs, feel free to join us by commenting below.
Topics to be discussed include:
• What to include on your CV – and what to avoid.
• How to stand out from the crowd.
• Tailoring your application to different companies.
• How to format your CV.
• What medium is best to use to deliver your CV.
The live Q&A takes place in the comments section below this article. Taking part in our Q&As is easy: create a free Guardian account, or log in using your Twitter or Facebook profile. Alternatively, tweet us a question at @GuardianCareers or email your questions to Martin Williams (martin.williams.casual@theguardian.com) and we'll make sure our experts solve your CV problems.
You can also follow the Q&A using the hashtag #careersqa.
Our panel
Simon Gray is a qualified chartered accountant, experienced recruiter and recruitment business owner. He is the author of Super Secrets of the Successful Jobseeker – everything you need to know about how to find a job in difficult times. A regular commentator for the BBC, Simon is a specialist in delivering training on CV writing, interview strategy, professional networking and how to stand out from the crowd.
Clare Whitmell is a Guardian contributor and a qualified business communication trainer. Clare specialises in writing and presentation skills coaching. She also blogs about CV writing and job-hunting tips on JobMarketSuccess.com.
Lisa LaRue is a career coach at CareerWorx with over 15 years' experience helping people plan and manage their careers. She is a professional CV writer and runs a job club where she teaches people how to write CVs and cover letters.
Hannah Morton-Hedges has 10 years' experience as a careers adviser and now runs Momentum Careers Advice. Previously, she was an in-house recruiter for major blue-chip companies, recruiting from graduate to senior executive level.
Sarah Archer is a qualified career coach and co-founder of CareerTree, an organisation working with people who want to make changes to their working lives including career direction, jobsearch and work life balance. She has also been an HR Director with significant experience of recruiting at all levels.
David Bond is a careers consultant at Birmingham City University, with over ten year's experience in recruitment and careers guidance. He currently specialises in working with graduates in computing, engineering and technology.
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