4 essential tips for updating your cv

While job searching may not always be on your agenda, regularly updating your CV (and indeed your social profiles such as LinkedIn) is highly recommended. It enables you to keep track of your career progress, so that when a CV is needed you don’t have to try and remember activities from months or years before. Failing to update your CV regularly may result in you missing out key information, or worse, sending an old CV that doesn’t truly reflect your skill, ability and progression throughout your career.  

Below are a few helpful tips to consider when updating your CV. 

1. Stick to this basic formula 

HR teams, recruiters and hiring managers need to be able to quickly see a summary of your key skills / achievements, your current role and previous and education / training, so order your CV as such and don’t overcomplicate it: 

• A summary of your skills and recent achievements 
• Your current and previous employment details including: Employer name, Job Title, Dates, responsibilities and achievements in each role 
• Finally,  your education including any relevant trainings / qualifications 

2. Record all your (relevant) employment history 

While it’s good to showcase your career history to date, future employers don’t need to know that your worked part-time in a retail shop whilst studying.  List your career experience since you began working full-time. However, if you have a lot of positions from many years ago, then consider listing (with full descriptions) only the most recent positions relevant to the job you’re applying for, then bullet point the other positions with just role, dates and company.  

3. Key skills / achievements 

All CVs should have a key skills section at the top. This is the chance for you to show hiring mangers instantly what your key skills are. Having this section updated is paramount to showcasing the best version of you. It’s tempting to list all your skills, but consideration should be given to the role you are applying for. A hiring manger will instantly know how you can benefit their business. 

Tailoring the key skill section for different jobs may result in you creating several CVs during your job search. However, doing this will be advantageous as it shows your passion for the job and can increase your chances of being selected for an interview.  

4. Education and training 

Education and training doesn’t always finish at school, college or university. Many people undertake formal educational courses relevant to their job. Ensure this is reflected on your CV as it showcases your personal development throughout your career – especially if it’s relevant to the job you are applying for.