It’s 2025. You’ve celebrated dozens of career milestones, gained decades of wisdom, eavesdropped on your fair share of office gossip about Tina’s personal life and endured endless Teams meetings.
You have achieved so much in your 5, no 10, sorry, 25 years… wait, how many years has it been?
According to your CV, it’s 1996 and your greatest achievement is “proficiency in sending electronic mail”.
Or perhaps it’s 2010 and you’re highlighting your ability to “thrive under pressure, delivering excellent customer service in fast paced environments” – Crew Member, McDonalds.
Your neglected CV doesn’t recognise the established adult now staring back at it. Here are six reasons to rekindle your relationship with your CV.
1. Stay prepared for unexpected changes
In today’s volatile job market, employment stability is often impacted by unforeseen circumstances such as company downsizing or industry disruption.
Exaggerated by the cost-of-living crisis, sudden unemployment places an immense time pressure on the already time-consuming application process, which can take weeks or months.
Spending valuable time updating your CV, while unprepared and under pressure, can result in a rushed resume that closes doors to the most suitable opportunities.
Stay proactive by regularly updating your CV and insure yourself with a sense of security and empowerment during uncertain times.
2. Seizing opportunities
Job openings can arise unexpectedly, and in a competitive market, the early bird (with the best CV) does get the worm.
Whether it’s a dream job or a rare opportunity for a pay rise, being prepared to seize the circumstances requires an updated CV to act swiftly and most importantly, confidently.
3. Tenders – this is a BIG one!
At Focused Marketing, one of the many services we offer is helping clients prepare and submit tenders.
We always require CVs from relevant project contributors as part of a tender process.
If you don’t have a current CV, it adds to an already intensive workload and can be stressful for the company to scramble something together.
Having a current and relevant CV you can submit to your employee or marketing agency for a tender is a huge head start, and your marketing agency will love you for it!
4. Documenting your growth
If you can’t remember what you had for lunch last Thursday, chances are you won’t remember key details, responsibilities, skillsets and valuable experience you’ve gained across your years of career progression.
When filling in these gaps years later you may undersell yourself, and it could be the difference between you and the other candidate.
Updating your CV regularly ensures you accurately document this growth and enables you to showcase all acquired skills, projects, and milestones, enhancing your credibility and marketability.
Don’t forget to take a moment to pat yourself on the back for ongoing achievements and growth in the process.
5. Grants – you need to be ready to hit submit!
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, government introduced many new grants to assist businesses in helping them recover, grow and thrive.
Not all grants are pandemic related, but they all require careful planning and administration to apply. At Focused Marketing we have helped many companies apply for grant funding.
It will always require submitting details of the company and its key employees’ career highlights and achievements.
By keeping your CV up to date and checking that your LinkedIn profile mirrors this, you will readily have essential information available to include for the grant application
6. Changes, changes. Stay relevant, stay present, adapt
The job market has changed. Society has changed. Your work experience has changed.
Your CV cannot remain stagnant when the world around it is changing.
Whether you’ve hopped between several companies or found the company for you, over the years your responsibilities, exposure to new technologies and current trends will have changed.
Your CV should reflect adaptability to change and the ability to stay current or proactive in your industry.
While you’re updating your CV, don’t forget your LinkedIn profile – head to Focused Marketing socials for tips!
Updating your CV is just one crucial step in your personal and business growth. Need more growth services guided by experienced professionals? Get in touch to make it happen.
Almeera is a driven communications specialist with experience in social media marketing, content writing and storytelling. She has a flair for understanding and adapting to distinct target audiences having worked across diverse industries including aviation, government, print & online journalism, animal adoption and transport. Her approach is creative, adaptable, strategic and detailed with a passion for connecting with people and making a positive impact in society. Almeera ensures high quality and effective results through perfectionist planning, investing in understanding your business and finding creative approaches tailored to your audience. When away from work, you can find Almeera reading, going on beach trips or socialising with a handful of sweet treats.