One thing that I think the summer holidays bring is a time to reflect, a time to check in on yourself, your career and if you’re doing what you want to do. I don’t think it matters if you’re looking for a new job or not, but I do think it’s valuable to look at what you’ve been doing in the period since your last CV update and seeing if you need to highlight new skills, experiences or qualifications.

What could you update?

A few things to consider updating are:

• New tools/ softwares that you may have learned
• Any new highlights to your career /job
• Any updated certifications or accomplishments (e.g. language skills etc.)

Why should I update my résumé?

Simply speaking, it’s better to do it small and often than one massive update per year. I also find this a great way to analyse and see the positive gains and knowledge that I have gained so far in the year. If I’ve not made sufficient gains, then I use it as a motivation to use the rest of the year to focus on my professional development and experience.

What if my boss sees?

This can be a real concern for many employees that updating CVs could look like you’re trying to find a new job but I prefer to position this as an exercise of “professional understanding and development”. It is simply me, understanding where I currently am and what I want to achieve for the rest of the year. I want to ensure that my skillset remains current and relevant for the role that I’m being paid to perform.

What if I do want to find a new job?

In the last week, I’ve received dozens of recruiter emails offering me new positions…. If you do want to look for a new challenge, updating your CV is a great way to do that. If you do want to find a new job, consider the following:

• Make sure your CV is up to date and uploaded to recruiter platforms
• Ensure your LinkedIn profile is updated (you can turn off that your contacts see your updates)
• On LinkedIn: turn on “open to new opportunities” so that recruiters can contact you
• Start looking around various job boards and set up alerts for relevant positions in your area

What have I missed? Have you updated your CV yet?