Quick Upgrades You Can Make to Your CV This Summer

Whether you're actively job hunting or just keeping your options open, summer is the perfect time to give your CV a refresh. A few smart tweaks can help you stand out, showcase your strengths, and open the door to more flexible opportunities.

Here are six simple but powerful updates you can make today:

1. Update Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement is the first thing recruiters see, so make it count. Ask yourself: Does this still reflect who I am and where I want to go?

Avoid generic phrases and instead craft a few lines that highlight your strengths, values, and goals.
Instead of:

“Experienced marketing professional seeking new challenges.”
Try:
“Marketing strategist with a passion for brand storytelling, looking to support purpose-led businesses through flexible or fractional roles.”

This helps potential employers immediately understand what you offer and what you're looking for.

2. Quantify Everything

Wherever possible, back up your achievements with real numbers. Metrics catch the eye and make your impact more tangible.

Turn this:

“Improved client retention”
Into this:
“Increased client retention by 35% over 12 months through improved onboarding and personalised communication.”

Even if your role wasn't numbers-based, think about percentages, time saved, or qualitative results. Anything that shows the value you added.

3. Highlight Transferable Skills

Whether you’ve pivoted careers, taken a career break, or worked across different industries, your transferable skills are gold.

Think: communication, leadership, problem-solving, project management, stakeholder engagement, adaptability, or digital literacy.

Group them under a "Key Skills" section or bring them to life in your experience descriptions. This helps hiring managers see your potential, especially if you're exploring new types of roles or industries.

4. Check Your Formatting

First impressions matter. A cluttered or outdated layout can be distracting and make it harder for the right people (or software) to find the right info.

Keep it simple:

• Stick to one or two clear fonts
• Use consistent spacing and bullet points
• Avoid text boxes or complex designs (they can confuse applicant tracking systems)
• Export as a PDF to preserve formatting

Tools like Canva or Notion offer free, modern templates if you’re starting from scratch.

Alternatively, create your CV on VERSA and let our CV builder handle the formatting for you.

5. Optimise for Both AI and Humans

Most employers now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs before they ever reach a human. To get past these digital gatekeepers and still impress real people:

• Use keywords from the job description (especially in your skills and experience sections)
• Avoid graphics, tables, or overly designed formats
• Use standard headings like Experience, Skills, and Education

Bonus tip: Run your CV through a free ATS scanner like Jobscan or Resume Worded to check how well it performs.

6. Make It Work for Your Future

If you’re looking for flexible work such as fractional, freelance, remote, or part-time roles, say so. You can include this in your personal statement or even add a line under your contact details to set expectations.

Example:

“Open to remote, fractional, and project-based roles.”

This makes it easier for the right opportunities to find you.

Final Thought

Refreshing your CV doesn’t have to be a huge task. A few focused updates now can help you feel confident, current, and ready for whatever’s next.

And if you’re exploring flexible career options, make sure your VERSA profile is up to date too. New opportunities land daily, and your next role might be just a scroll away.