Brush up your CV

It is always a good idea to invest time to update your CV regularly. Here are some of our ideas that could take your CV to the next level.

1.    Look at your CV objectively. Are there any issues that you need to address? For example, are there any gaps in your career development? Would extra training courses help fill those gaps? 

2.    Do not simply list your different roles. You need to make it as easy as possible for a prospective new employer to see and understand your skills, expertise and track record. A good way to do this is to articulate your key skills and experience at the top of your CV in a personalised profile. 

3.    Keep it short as possible. The temptation is to include detail about every role you’ve ever had, but ideally your CV should not be longer than two pages. That’s why it’s important to edit down your earlier roles; especially if they were a long time ago and have no relevance for the role you’re aiming for now. If you have a lot of roles, consider grouping them under sections, then you will only have to include dates and the role title. 

The effort is worth it because you can use the space to focus on the detail of more recent roles and experience.

4.    Update your education and training section. Include any training courses that you have undertaken recently and any professional memberships you may have.

5.    Update your personal interests. Voluntary roles and interests can not only help an employer to understand your transferable skills but also to get a positive sense of you as a person.

6.    Tailor your CV. If you are using your CV to apply for a role, take the time to target it to your prospective employer. For example, highlight your experience and achievements that most match the new role. Make sure your CV reflects the sty;e of language of the new employer, as it will help them to get a positive sense that you could be a good fit for their organisation. 

7.    Proof. You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so you must make sure that your CV has no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Let a friend or family member take a look as they will see it with a fresh pair of eyes and spot things that you may have missed. 

8.    Update your professional profiles. When you’ve done the hard work on your CV, make sure that it is reflected in any of your professional profiles online, such as LinkedIn, as it is likely that employers will look you up on there as part of the hiring process.