How Do I Refresh My CV After 8 Years & A Job That Ended Badly?

I have been working for slightly over eight years. In my last job, my contract changed and I was forced to handle tasks that were not under my profession. This forced me to sue the company and it became a grueling battle.

I would like to move past that and start applying for jobs. I however need to refresh my CV and I am not sure what I should include especially about this last position I held.

How do I refresh my CV?

Truth is, potential employers expect that people have failed at stuff. What they are looking for is how you handled it, and how you recovered. If you have skills in the areas they need, and you demonstrate the ability to recover, you’re good.

Just don’t get too much in the mud when you talk about the failures. Don’t blame others in any way. Take full responsibility. 

Your CV is the most important document for your professional journey and career growth.

A well-curated CV can land you a desirable and lucrative job offer in the field of your choice. You need to keep it updated. It might be difficult for you to remember to update your CV. So, you can set a reminder for updating it once in a month or two months depending on the nature of your job.

If you want to refresh your CV for sending a job application, you must include the keywords mentioned in the job description. Along with tailoring a CV, you should also tailor your cover letter to the job opening. Sit down with a calm mind, take a pen and paper, and start noting down all your responsibilities and achievements related to your previous jobs as well as your current job.

Also, make your CV suitable for Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). Remember the golden rule of never lying in your CV. Include only those skills and qualifications that you actually possess. Mention your level of familiarity regarding basic IT tools and programs.

Even if you don’t want to apply for any new job, keep updating your CV at regular intervals. The reason behind the same is that you might forget about your latest accomplishments, such as becoming the best performer in your office or completing an online course. If your CV is updated with all the details on time, you can share it quickly with employers whenever you want to change jobs or careers.

If the CV posted by you on job portals is updated frequently, you might get an interview call for new vacancies arising in your industry. Thus, you will come to know about the scenario in the employment market. While refreshing your CV, pay attention to its formal and visual appeal as well.

If you have been working on the same job for years, you might never have many changes in your CV. In such a case, they have to work hard for selecting the appropriate CV structure and format. You can also get the help of CV writers to make your task easy.

If you’re not sure about your writing abilities or how to present yourself correctly, ask a professional CV writer for help.