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How Often Should I Update My CV?

13 Dec 2021
How Often Should I Update My CV?

Man updating his CV

When you're already in full-time employment, it's easy to forget about your CV. After all, if you're not applying for jobs right now, what difference does it make if your CV is several years out of date?

But there are several good reasons to review your CV every so often, even if you're not planning to seek a new job any time soon. By keeping this important document up to date instead of leaving it to gather dust in some forgotten corner of your hard drive, you'll make life a lot easier for your future self and probably end up with a more impressive CV to show potential employers.

Update your CV at least once a year...

At the very least, we recommend that you review your CV once per year - and maybe more often if you're constantly learning new skills and taking on new challenges.

If you're in the habit of doing personal reviews on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, a quick CV update can easily be incorporated into this self-evaluation process.

Annual CV Update: What to Consider

At the end of each year, look back at the previous 12 months and ask yourself...

  • Have you mastered any new skills this year?
  • Did you overcome any difficult challenges in work?
  • Were you promoted?
  • Do you hold any qualifications that you didn't hold last year?

If the answer to any of these questions is 'yes' then you should consider updating your CV to include your most recent successes.

...and whenever you have a new achievement to add.

Of course, you don't have to wait until the end of the year to update your CV! Adding new achievements and career milestones right away eliminates the risk that you will forget about them before your next scheduled review.

So if you do something (whether in work or in your leisure time) that's likely to impress potential employers, don't be afraid to dig out your CV and add an extra line about your latest win. It will only take a minute, and if you do this every time you achieve something noteworthy, your CV should be more or less ready to send when you eventually decide to change jobs.

More CV Advice & Tips >

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