CPD or 'continuous professional development' is one of those buzz phrases that employers often like to make a lot. It's management speak for simply learning new skills and gaining experience in whatever role you're in. Most companies have some sort of process that encourages CPD in their staff, but if you're out of a job, it's important that you take matters into your own hands.
Ultimately, a lot of job hunting is about your CV and about demonstrating that you have all the skills that you need for a post. Even if you sign up to a job site like reed.co.uk, your CV is the main thing that represents you, so you have to make sure that it looks good. So CPD is important.
Obviously, looking for a job takes up a lot of time, and many people take part-time or temporary work just to keep some cash coming in whilst they look for a full-time post. This can make it difficult to devote sufficient time to improving your skills, but if you really want to get ahead in the jobs market – and then on into your career – you have to make that effort.
There are, essentially, two routes you can go down. The first is volunteering, especially if you live in, or are looking for city jobs, such as jobs in Manchester , where there are so many charities and social enterprises. Volunteering can involve being out on the streets helping with projects, or it can be doing that bit of filing or leftover admin work that's been sitting around for months. Very few charities will say no to a bit of extra help, it looks great on your CV, and if you can get into an office, it's a potential route into work.
Alternatively, if you're much more comfortable staying at home, the UN has pioneered online volunteering. It must be said this is focussed towards people with specific skills – and often languages – but it's a great thing to do, both for your CV and for helping out some truly worthy causes.
The other route is education. If you're a graduate, the typical idea of further education is going to involve a Master's or equivalent degree and could be expensive, but there are other options. There are thousands of qualifications out there, some easier than others, some focussed on general skills like computer skills, other focussed on specific professions, but all can add weight to your CV.
If you know what career you particularly want to go into, look up the official professional body for that career, they'll probably do qualifications designed at 'upskilling' people within the sector. Showing interest in these professional qualifications not only improves your skills, but demonstrates your commitment, and as soon as you enrol you can put it on your CV.
The only way to make a CV look good is to make sure that it's got great things written on it, so, even if it might be a struggle time wise, make sure you fit some CPD into your routine and you're almost guaranteed to reap the rewards.
