How to Boost Your CV During University Holidays

Create a LinkedIn account

If you don’t already have a LinkedIn, now’s the time to make one. Think of LinkedIn as your professional social media account; a place to follow companies you’re interested in, discover career paths and connect with industry professionals.

Hiring managers often check out your LinkedIn profile before contacting you, so it’s a really good idea to get on it. It’s easy to get set up, too.

Need a little help? Here are eight ways to build your LinkedIn profile.

Build connections

You can grow an entire professional network from anywhere, even your sofa. Whatever career or industry you’re considering, there are LinkedIn groups filled with industry experts and professionals who’ll often share insights and opportunities.

Not joined a society yet? You haven’t missed your chance. You can join a society at any point during the university year, so use the summer to find out what’s out there and which ones you’d be interested in joining.

Societies are amazing because you’ll also have the opportunity to meet important people relevant to the society.

While online networking can be great, meeting people IRL can make a much stronger impression. Make the most out of LinkedIn and your Student Union by going to as many relevant networking events as possible. These connections can lead to internships, mentorships, placements, or a graduate job.

Do an internship or insight

Internships are a fantastic way to boost your CV during the holidays. Employers love them because internships show that you understand how workplaces operate.

An internship is a short period of paid work experience that typically lasts between one and nine months. Most take place during the summer, but you’ll find opportunities that run during the Easter holidays, too. These are called insight days (or insight weeks), where you’ll get a crash course in a particular industry or employer. 

You’ll work for an employer full-time, gaining hands-on skills, experience and knowledge in your chosen field. This will go a long way in securing a placement year or graduate job once you’ve finished university.

Get a part-time job

Part-time jobs can help build transferable skills that employers look for, including teamwork, time management and attention to detail. Plus, it’s a nice way to add some coins to the bank account.

Some popular student jobs include:

• Babysitting

• Dog walking

• Tutoring

• Retail work

• Hospitality

• Freelance writing or editing.

Learn a new skill

Three months is the perfect amount of time to learn something new that could help your future career. Some skills you could pick up include:

• Coding. Even basic programming knowledge will be valuable to have across a wide range of industries

• Learn a new language. You can open doors to an international career all while keeping up your Duolingo streak

• Familiarising yourself with new software. Learn tools like Photoshop, Excel, or industry-specific programs.

There are loads of websites like Reed, The Open University and YouTube tutorials that offer you free courses. For example, if you’re keen on breaking into digital marketing, Meta Blueprint offers free eLearning courses that give you certifications once you’re done.

Volunteer

Volunteering is worthwhile not just for yourself but also for those in the community you’re helping. Showing you’re willing to give your time to causes you care about can really impress employers by giving them meaningful stories, especially those with values that match yours. You could:

• Help at a local care home

• Provide classroom support at a school

• Join conservation projects

• Assist with community DIY projects.

It’s also another way to build your transferable skills, which include teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

Travel

If you want to spend your summer enjoying a little sunshine, that’s valuable too. Backpacking is a great way of developing your organisational skills and independence.

Whether you're hiking in South America or taking a European road trip, travelling will lower your stress levels, boost your mood and give you the confidence to tackle unfamiliar situations.

Become a mental health first aider

Mental health support is becoming so much more important in the workplace. By taking a mental health first aid course (like one offered by St John Ambulance), you’ll learn how to support people with their mental health.

You’ll also show employers that you have valuable wellbeing skills and understand how to show people empathy and understanding, qualities that’ll make you an asset anywhere. It’ll also come in handy when it comes to helping your family and friends.

You don’t have to do everything on this list. University holidays are long, and once you enter the working world, you probably won’t get that much time off again. So while it’s a great idea to use this time to invest in yourself, remember it’s also a time to do things you want to do. Rest is important.

Instead, pick one or two that align with your goals. Whatever you choose to do, make it count.