How to Write a Mid-Career CV

Think back to the very first CV you wrote. It was probably for an internship in university or your very first full-time job. Most likely, it was difficult to fill up an entire page. A lot has changed since then. Now, in the middle of your career, you likely have plenty of experience and accomplishments.

What makes sense for an entry-level CV does not necessarily hold true for a mid-career CV. Below is a number of things that you can include and what you should remove from your mid-career CV.

3 Things to Cut From Your Mid-Career CV

1. Your First Job

It’s possible your first job was exactly what you needed at the start of your career and could still be relevant all these years later. But for most of us, what we did at our entry level job is not exactly what’s going to grab an employer’s attention for mid-career positions.

It is not wise to keep any low-responsibility positions on your CV. Remember that how long your CV is plays a factor in your job search success. The shorter it is, the better. It is perfectly fine to cut your first job (and any other roles) that don’t further your career goals.

2. Obvious Skills

Does your CV skills section list your proficiency in Microsoft Office or your ability to use basic email programs? There’s probably no need to include these very basic CV skills.

You should only include your most relevant skills. Save the space for far more important technical skills.

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3. Putting Education Front and Center

Once you’ve worked several years, your education becomes less and less important.

Work experience is more meaningful than school, and is the best way to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and expertise to succeed in your field. 

If you haven’t already, you can move the education section from the top-most section of your CV all the way to the bottom.

What to Include in a Mid-Career CV

Match Your CV to the Job

Quantity doesn’t always win. Longer isn’t better when it comes to writing your CV. Instead of sharing all the information on your career, share only the details that are relevant to the job at hand.

A strong mid-career CV will be calibrated to match the job you want. Focus on work experience and skills that relate to the job you are aiming for.

Focus on Your Accomplishments

A strong mid-career CV will lead with accomplishments not responsibilities. Instead of saying “Presented on topic XYZ,” a mid-career CV will say “Led training efforts on topic XYZ, ensuring a successful switch to the new operating system.”

In conclusion,

Your career has changed; your CV should as well. The way you present yourself on an entry-level CV is quite different from a mid-career one.

You’ve done a lot! Make sure that’s clear in your CV by focusing on accomplishments and wins. Not sure how best to do this? You can always reach out to a professional CV writer who will revamp your CV to reflect your accomplishments.