Why your CV needs to be updated now - even if you already have a job

Written by Lizzie Learn On 12th Oct 2016

f there is one certainty in the uncertainty of 21st-century living, that is change happens and will continue to happen, probably at a faster and faster pace as we become more dependent on information as a commodity and our capacity to produce it grows. Jobs such as Digital Marketing Specialist didn’t exist at the turn of the century. Likewise, promotion within companies is no longer the norm. Companies want to employ people who have the skills they need rather than looking for potential which they can develop.

Part of the pace of change is that more companies cease as the way we live moves on. Retail stores have been particularly hard hit as we change our shopping habits from high street to internet.

So, what does this mean for the average worker?

• You cannot rely on your employing organisation or your job existing for your working life;
• If you want to improve your lot, you are probably going to have to move jobs and perhaps even locations;
• You need to present yourself as a “fully rounded product” to get the job you really want;
• You have to invest in your own ongoing education; and
• You must always have an up-to-date CV.

So, how do you go about keeping your CV fresh? Here are five tips you can use to easily update your CV.

Understand what type of CV you need

Choose a style to match your history and aspirations.

A Functional CV is a traditional CV that focuses on your career history. It is good for those people who have had a complete career history. The first section should always be about achievements and roles within your current job followed by a summary of your career history, your education and any volunteering and interests which contribute to your skillset. This is less useful for people returning to work after a career break or if you have gaps in your work history.

A Skills-Based CV is a CV based around your skillset that you may have achieved through work, volunteering, caring or any other activity. It highlights your skills that are relevant to the jobs you are applying for and plays down the career history angle. This is a useful style if you have had gaps in your career; though some employers don’t like them.

A Student CV is for someone leaving full-time education where their degree and training are their most useful asset, and they come first. This type of CV is for first jobs only and should be swapped after that time for a more traditional CV.

An Alternative CV is a different style where you may put your CV into an advert form or a creative style.  his is particularly useful if you are going into a career in marketing, design or creative arts. For more information on different styles of CV, see this very helpful website from the National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/cv-sections

Keep the length short and the format bright

The maximum length for a CV, other than for academic posts, is 2 pages. Unless a previous job is directly relevant to the post being applied for, it should be a heading and little else. If you feel that skills from previous jobs are relevant and/or you are looking to change career direction, you can group them together under a single heading to emphasise the skills. For example, several posts could be grouped under a heading of “information management” or “research roles”. If you have kept the same format for years, then perhaps now is the time to update the format to give it a fresh look.

Tailor your CV to the type of job you are interested in

Make sure that you look at the job description and tailor your CV to include key terms. A sales role could be variously described as “account manager”, “sales consultant” or “business development”. Make sure you reflect the terminology of the company or employers you are seeking to join.

Use active language

This means describing your achievement in the present tense rather than past tenses. E.g. “Project leader for the implementation of…” rather than “Led the implementation project…”. The former sounds more current and dynamic than the latter.

Proofread

You need to proofread your completed CV several times, as well as ask someone who has a keen eye for detail to check through it too. When you have written something yourself, it is hard to see the errors because you will always skim read.  Fresh eyes will be more critical. And while you are updating your CV, it is a good idea to update your LinkedIn profile too so they are consistent with each other.

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