How often should I update my CV?
Whether you are ready to apply for a new job or not, updating your CV regularly to reflect the progression of your skills, responsibilities and successes is a sensible long-term career management policy. After all, you service your car no less than once a year, so why not update your CV and online profiles at least as often?
A CV is a constant work in progress. And, just like your car, if you don’t service it regularly it won’t perform as well as it could. Even if you’ve been in the same role for years or aren’t ready to apply for new jobs, you regularly gain new skills, experiences and successes that should be reflected in your CV and online profiles. Other advantages of updating your CV and online profiles regularly include the ability to quickly apply for your dream job if it becomes available and projecting an accurate representation of your abilities to hiring managers and colleagues online. Regular updates also ensure you have pertinent details fresh in your mind at the time of writing.
Questions to ask yourself
When it comes time for your CV service, there are a few things to consider:
- Firstly, what new technology, digital or technical skills have you developed over the past year?
- Is there a project you’ve worked on that you’re proud of? Is this project a better example of your abilities that an older project listed on your CV and social media? If so, swap it out.
- Have you completed any courses, won any awards or been recognised for a job well done? If so, add these details.
- Can you quantify your accomplishments? Hiring managers and recruiters love to see hard evidence of your success, such as how many views your blogs regularly receive or the percentage by which you exceeded a recent target.
- Have your duties and responsibilities increased? If so, summarise these responsibilities and the outcomes you’ve achieved.
Ongoing skills development
An annual service also forces you to review your overall offering to a potential employer. There isn’t an industry or sector today that isn’t experiencing change. If a review of your CV shows that you are falling behind in terms of the skills employers now need, it’s time to up-skill.
As Justin Gill, National Recruitment Manager at Mirvac, says in the video Your CV, Cover Letter & Skills, ongoing skills development demonstrates commitment to your role and industry and a willingness to learn new things as your career progresses.
Not sure how to develop your skills? Ongoing skills development can be achieved in many ways, from formal courses to volunteering to take on additional responsibilities in your existing job. You could seek a mentor, ask your boss for stretch opportunities, or become involved in a project. There are also a number of ways you can up-skill yourself out of the office, which we have detailed in this blog.
Remember, your dream job could be out there now. An annual service of your CV and online profiles will ensure they’re representative of your exact skill base and abilities at this point in time, making them current and effective resources.
I hope you have found the above advice useful. Here are some other CV tips blogs and a podcast which you will find helpful: