Revamping and updating your CV

It’s always good to keep your CV updated, so that you are best positioned for new openings and opportunities that will arise as companies could be hiring at any time of the year.

Your CV is the first opportunity you get to make a lasting and positive impression on your potential future employer. Since this is likely to be the first thing they will see, it’s important to ensure that it stands out from the crowd as it has the potential to make a real difference between securing an interview or missing out on a dream role.

Janine Blacksley, Director at Walters People says "Keeping your CV up-to-date is essential to identify major steps you have taken in your professional development, and to remind yourself what experience and skills you have to offer whilst focusing on taking the next step in your career,".

Showcase the skills and achievements within your current role

The first step to take when updating your current CV is including your most recent achievements and key responsibilities within your current role. Targets set by your managers in your appraisal or at the start of your employment will help you remember and reflect on all you have accomplished.

When you’ve been in the same role for a long time, it’s vital to regularly update your CV to ensure your newest skills and experiences are reflected. To highlight the full scope of your current role to a future employer, it is worth using sub-headings, particularly when discussing relevant projects, you have been involved in. Don’t forget to be clear and concise so that the reader is engaged the whole time.

Use social media to your advantage - create an online presence

You don’t have to be confined to a paper document when you're showcasing your experience - having a good and professional LinkedIn profile is key as it is a valuable and supportive asset and an extension of your CV. A large number of recruiters now find candidates on LinkedIn, and your profile is also likely to be found before your CV is.

This will help you become more visible to potential future employers, and to a large network of head-hunters, potential colleagues and contacts who may find your profile through searches or their own network connections making it invaluable for networking and getting noticed by the right person.

You don’t have to be confined to a paper document when you're showcasing your experience - having a good and professional LinkedIn profile is a valuable and supportive asset to your CV.

Make sure you include the below on your profile:

An engaging headline that showcases your career experience and skillset
A professional and up-to-date profile headshot
A brief list of your key skills to provide a snapshot of your current role remit
Professional qualifications you may have, as well as LinkedIn groups you may be a part of

When writing your CV, make sure you don't make these common mistakes. Find out what these are here.