While many wait until they need their CV to update it, Hays’ Nick Deligiannis is here to tell you why regularly refreshing it is essential.
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 the time comes for your CV service, there are a few things to consider:
- Firstly, what new technology, digital or technical skills have you developed over the last year?
- Is there a project you’ve worked on that you’re proud of? Is this project a better example of your abilities than 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 upskill.
As Justin Gill, national recruitment manager at Mirvac, says in this video, 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 and volunteering to taking 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 upskill yourself out of the office, which we have detailed here.
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.
Nick Deligiannis is the managing director of Hays in Australia and New Zealand. Joining Hays in 1993, Deligiannis brought his background in human resource management and marketing, and formal qualifications in psychology.
A version of this article originally appeared on Hays’ Viewpoint blog.
