Spring Clean your Career

The sun is making regular appearances, and it’s still light at 6pm – all early signs that summer is on its way. The start of summer is a time when everyone wants to get in to shape and look their best, and that includes your career.

Employment experts at TheLadders.co.uk believe that the spring is the perfect time of year to get your career credentials in order, clearing out the old CV, dusting off the portfolio and creating a shiny new presentation of your qualifications for that perfect job. With this in mind, the executive jobs site has compiled tips for anyone planning on doing a summer career clean out.

Five tips for a career summer clean out:
1. Evaluate - Firstly evaluate your job situation and put together a list of career goals for what you want to achieve in the short and long term. This may be the time when you realise that you want new challenges in your current role or explore other avenues.
2. CV – dig out your CV if you haven’t looked at it in a while there will surely be new experience, skills and even qualifications to include in this document which is essential to any job search. If you have a portfolio of results make sure you add any new achievements. Or you can save time by using a CV writing service, this will put your document in the hands of professionals who will be able to tweak it so you are presented in the best possible light.
3. Networking – Go through all your networks to ensure your details and experience are up-to-date. Networking is also a good way to find potential roles through your current contacts, recruiters and potential employers so it’s important to keep your details current.
4. Wardrobe – TheLadders recently revealed that 60% of bosses would not give a position to a candidate because of their attire, so what your wear is another essential element to job success. This doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your entire wardrobe but just going through to ensure you have the classic pieces you may need for a job interview ie. Tailored suit, long sleeved collared shirt, black leather shoes etc.
5. Knowledge – while many people see spring as the time to kick-start a health and fitness routine, it’s also a good time to brush up on your career skills too. Investigate what training opportunities are available in your industry and what courses you can take to help boost your career chances.

Derek Pilcher from TheLadders.co.uk says, ‘It doesn’t matter whether you are currently employed or on the job hunt, it’s important to keep all your documents, online professional profiles and even your wardrobe up to date. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Sales Manager, Marketing Director, CFO or Managing Director you never know when a new opportunity will arise or when you will need to look for a new role.’