M+Work: 6 Steps to Refresh Your CV This Bank Holiday
Whether your youngest just started full time school or your current job just isn’t cutting it anymore, there’s a good chance you’ve been thinking about a change. Maybe you’ve plateaued in your role, or maybe your priorities have shifted, either way, the long weekend offers the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and refresh your CV with clarity and purpose.
If a career pivot has been bubbling in the background, here are six steps to help you make the most of a quiet morning (with coffee in hand) and take the first step forward.
1. Take stock of your experience
Open your most recent CV and give it a proper look. What’s changed? What have you done either personally or professionally that’s worth celebrating? If you’ve taken time out of the workforce for parenting or other life shifts, reflect on the skills you’ve gained during that period: multitasking, project juggling, creative problem solving. They count more than you think.
2. Tailor it to where you're going
Your old CV was great for your old job. But what about now? If you're heading in a new direction, take time to reframe your past experience in a way that speaks to where you want to be. Pull out keywords from job descriptions, highlight transferable skills, and don’t shy away from including personal growth. A well placed career break, framed with intention, tells a story of adaptability and resilience.
3. Highlight your learning mindset
If you've upskilled recently whether through a short course, online module, or professional training then make it known. Even self-initiated learning shows drive and curiosity, especially if it’s relevant to your next move. It’s not about having it all figured out, it’s about showing that you’re engaged and ready to grow.
4. Own your career breaks
Time away from paid work doesn’t have to be a blank space. From parenting to freelance projects, community roles or caring for others remember these are all chapters that shaped you. Focus on the skills you honed and the perspectives you gained. Increasingly, employers are looking for people with emotional intelligence, life experience, and the ability to adapt. That’s you.
5. Refresh your LinkedIn
Your LinkedIn should reflect the updated version of you. That means revisiting your headline and making it future facing, updating your achievements, and maybe even adding a line about the kind of work you’re looking for. It’s also a great place to share thought pieces, connect with others in your chosen industry, and showcase skills that might not live on your CV.
6. Set a clear intention
Use the headspace of a long weekend to ask yourself: what do I really want from my next chapter? More flexibility? Something more creative? A role that lights you up? Define what success means to you now. Then start laying the foundations which means networking, applying for roles even if you don’t meet all the criteria, ask questions and get feedback , or simply take the first step and get your CV in shape so you’re ready when the right opportunity appears.
It can seem daunting making a change but remember you don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Start small and get yourself in a place where things can move forward.
Once you have given your CV a fresh edit, reflect on your next steps, and use this quiet moment as your launchpad, because whatever your next move looks like, make sure it is intentional and works for you and your life stage now.