It’s essential to give your CV a refresh every now and again, whether it’s to change the layout, update your details or match it with your LinkedIn profile.
Almost everyone will realise the importance of having a near-perfect CV. Whether you’re a recent graduate looking for your first role, a student planning for the future or a professional seeking a career change, it’s essential this document reflects a number of important facts about yourself.
For those who have been in the job market for a while, or are applying for a range of jobs, it’s also a good idea to refresh your CV every now and again, especially in the unfortunate event you aren’t having much success.
Alternatively, if you haven’t changed roles or received any new qualifications or accolades for some time, a refresh could breath some much-needed life into the document. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Consider starting anew
In some cases, a quick refresh might not be enough to bring your CV up to the standards expected by recruiters. Alternatively, it may have been a while since you last applied for a job, leaving your details out of date or irrelevant.
This also gives you the chance to try out a number of new ideas before settling on a final copy, such as changing the layout completely or updating your reference list. Have you met someone new who could better represent your achievements in the workplace?
Proof read the result!
At the very least, you should be taking the chance to refresh your CV with a proof read each time you make any changes or before submitting for a position.
This especially important considering career advisor TheLadders discovered just how little time some recruiters spend with each CV they inspect. According to the firm, many hiring managers are able to make a decision within six to seven seconds of opening an application.
With CVs being subjected to such quick scrutiny, it’s essential that you’ve dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s in all the right places.
Check your digital CV at the same time
You may be asking, what’s a digital CV? The advent of LinkedIn meant the world’s professionals suddenly had their own equivalent of Facebook, with the site becoming both a platform for connecting with other like-minded individuals as well as acting as a sort of online CV.
With over 380 million members worldwide, LinkedIn is the perfect platform for people looking to represent themselves in a professional manner online. If you make change to your physical CV, ensure this is reflected on your LinkedIn profile and vice versa.
At Talent, we’re about more than finding you your next role or assignment. We’re committed to empowering you in many other ways that will support your career, well being, and lifestyle.
If you are interested in finding out more about a role in the tech sector or becoming an IT contractor please get in touch with a Talent consultant today.