Are your career goals overdue a review?

You can probably think of a million things you’d rather be doing than writing or updating your CV. But you’ll do yourself a favour if you have an up-to-date document at your fingertips.

One mistake people frequently make is to wait to revise their CV until they find a job that interests them. That prevents them from applying for the position right away. And by the time they have an updated version ready to submit, it may be too late. So, don’t delay.

 Does your CV reflect your most recent professional accomplishments over the past 3-6-9-12-18-24 months? It can be all too easy to forget to include something you’re proud of that you achieved perhaps a year ago, when focusing on current delivery objectives.

Even in a candidate-driven job market, you need to do whatever you can to gain an advantage over your fellow job seekers. One way is to learn a new skill or earn a certification. No matter your chosen industry or career, change is happening all around you. Your skill set may need a boost to remain relevant and attractive to employers.

Pursuing professional development shows initiative and a commitment to learning, as well as an understanding of what it takes to excel in your field. It also makes it easier for you to answer the question that all hiring managers are likely to ask in one form or another: “How can you add value to the organisation?”

 Possessing certain abilities and credentials can also help you negotiate a higher salary. (Sammons Pensions Annual Salary Survey offers insight into salaries in the industry)

When did you last assess your professional and personal goals and determine exactly what you are looking for in a new job.

What would make you happy? A bigger paycheck? A more senior title? The opportunity to work at a top firm in your field? All these things are nice, no doubt. They can probably contribute to your on-the-job happiness, as well. But are they more important to your overall satisfaction than a shorter commute? Or a different organisational culture? Or the potential to work reduced hours? Or to advance quickly?

 Develop a clear picture in your mind of what would make you happiest and allow you to reach the goal you’ve set of what you are looking for in your next career move. Without a clear idea of what this job looks like, you’ll have trouble finding the right fit.

Employers still want to be sure a job candidate is a good fit for the position and company culture before extending an offer. Even if you’re one of their top candidates, it may take weeks and several rounds of interviews before you hear back about the final decision.

Keep in contact with your recruiter to update on any changes with regards your own situation, so that your potential future employer doesn’t miss out on hiring someone as talented as you!