How to update your CV: 7 Tips & UK examples (2025)

Updating your CV might not be something you think about often, but it’s one of the smartest steps you can take to advance your career. Whether you’re actively job hunting or simply keeping your options open, understanding how often to refresh your CV and why it matters can give you a real advantage.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how frequently you should update your CV, explain why keeping it current is so important, and share seven practical tips—complete with UK-specific examples—to help you craft a CV that stands out in 2026.

How often should you update your CV?

It’s a good idea to review and update your CV every six to twelve months, even if you’re not actively job hunting. That way, when a new opportunity comes along—whether it’s an internal promotion or a role that catches your eye—you’ll be ready to apply without the last-minute rush.

Whenever you take on new responsibilities, complete a major project, or pick up a new skill, add it to your CV while it’s still fresh in your mind. It’s easy to forget the finer details later on, and those small achievements often make a big difference when you're trying to  stand out.

Even if your role hasn’t changed much, regular CV updates help keep it sharp, polished, and free from outdated information or overlooked errors. It also saves you time in the long run—especially if you keep previous versions. Updating an existing CV is far easier than trying to  write a new one from scratch when you're up against a deadline.

Why is updating your CV important?

Treat your CV as a living document—something you maintain over time, not just when you’re actively job hunting. Here are a few key reasons to keep your CV up to date:

• Be prepared for new opportunities: An updated CV lets you apply quickly and confidently for  internal promotions or new roles as they arise.
• Highlight professional growth: Show how your skills and responsibilities have evolved—for example, from leading a small project last year to managing a full team today.
• Help identify skill gaps: Reviewing your CV can reveal areas where you need to gain additional experience or training to stay competitive.
• Boost your confidence and self-awareness: Seeing your progress and achievements on paper reminds you of how far you’ve come, which can be empowering during interviews or  career planning.

7 Tips for how to update your CV

Ready to refresh your CV? Here are seven essential tips and examples to help you update it effectively and stand out to employers.

1. Research your target role

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach when writing your CV. According to a recent LinkedIn article, tailoring your CV to a specific job posting can increase your interview chances by 25%. For that reason, conducting research on your target role and company, then using this information to update your CV is time well spent.

Many organisations use  applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan CVs for specific keywords before a human ever sees them. By reviewing job descriptions and company information, you can identify the  key phrases, skills, and qualities employers value most. Incorporating these naturally into your CV will demonstrate a strong fit for both the role and organisation.

2. Refresh the format

The  format of your CV should present your skills, experience, and qualifications in the best possible light, and this can change as your career progresses. 

For most professionals, a  reverse chronological format works best. This layout highlights your most recent roles first, allowing employers to quickly see your latest and most relevant experience.

However, depending on your circumstances, alternative formats may be more suitable:

• Skills-based (functional) CV: Significant  gaps in employment or switching careers can make updating your CV tricky. The  skills-based CV can solve this problem by shifting the focus to your key skills and competencies to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
• Combination (hybrid) CV: This format blends both chronological and skills-based formats and works well for recent graduates, career changers, or anyone with limited professional experience but strong transferable skills or relevant qualifications.

3. Update your CV profile

Your  CV summary (or  personal profile) provides an engaging snapshot of your key skills and qualifications to pique the hiring manager’s interest. As such, it should always reflect your most recent and relevant qualities. Remember to keep it short and snappy—ideally two to three sentences that highlight your most valuable skills and experience.

As your career progresses, consider updating your CV summary with:

• The number of years you've worked in your field.
• Key skills that align with your current role or target industry.
• Recent training, qualifications, or certifications you've completed.
• Notable projects or responsibilities you’ve taken on.
• Stand out achievements to demonstrate your impact (e.g., improved efficiency, increased sales, reduced costs).

Here’s an example CV profile that combines some of these elements:

4. Eliminate outdated information

Refreshing your CV isn’t just about adding new information—it’s also the perfect time to remove anything that no longer adds value. While it might seem like  listing every past role shows depth of experience, outdated or irrelevant details can weaken your application and clutter your CV.

Ideally, your CV should cover the  last 10 to 15 years. If you have older roles, only include them if they’re directly relevant to your current industry or career goals. For positions worth mentioning that fall outside of this timeframe, consider adding a separate “Additional Experience” section near the end where you briefly list your job title and employer—without dates—to keep things concise.

5. Add new skills and qualifications

When updating your CV, take time to include any new skills, tools, or training you’ve picked up. Maybe you’ve started using Monday.com to manage projects more efficiently, or completed a UX design course to sharpen your creative skills, or payroll training to stay current with HMRC regulations. These updates demonstrate your focus on continued growth.

At the same time, consider removing outdated skills that no longer relate to your career. For example, if you previously listed your average typing speed, but now work in a client-facing sales role, it’s best to remove that information to keep your CV direct and impactful.

6. Emphasise your achievements

When updating your CV, go beyond simply listing what your job involved—employers want to see the results you’ve delivered. A brief overview of your responsibilities is helpful for context, but it’s your achievements that will truly set you apart from other candidates. 

Think about the difference you made in each role. Did you improve a process, increase sales, reduce costs, or lead a successful project? Where possible, quantify your impact with clear, concise metrics. This helps employers quickly understand the scale and value of your contributions in your relevant  work experience. 

7. Proofread your updated CV

After updating your CV, take a pause before hitting send. It’s easy to make errors during a CV update—typos, inconsistent formatting, or awkward phrasing can slip through unnoticed. 

Run your updated CV through a spell-checker. Tools like Grammarly can help catch more subtle errors. Watch for inconsistencies like uneven capitalisation, mismatched fonts, or incorrect verb tenses in previous roles. Having a trusted friend (or AI assistant like ChatGPT) review your CV can also provide valuable feedback before you send off your application.