There’s something about the end of winter that makes you want to clear the decks and start fresh. And while most people associate spring cleaning with wardrobes and kitchen cupboards, the same principle works brilliantly for your career.

This isn’t about dramatic overhauls or five-year plans. It’s about small, manageable actions that shake off the cobwebs and create a sense of forward motion. Think of it as a professional tune-up, the kind of maintenance that keeps everything running smoothly.

Refresh Your CV (Even If You’re Not Job Hunting)

When did you last update your CV? If the answer is “when I applied for my current job,” you’re not alone – but you’re also sitting on a document that’s slowly going stale.

• Set aside 30 minutes to add any new responsibilities, projects, or achievements from the past year.
• Update your skills section.
• Remove anything that’s no longer relevant.
• Even if you’re perfectly happy in your current role, having an up-to-date CV means you’re ready when opportunity knocks, rather than scrambling to put something together at short notice.

Audit Your LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is often the first thing people see when they look you up professionally. A quick spring clean can make a real difference: update your headline to reflect what you actually do now, refresh your summary, and check that your profile photo still represents the professional you today.

While you’re there, connect with a few people you’ve met recently or reconnect with someone you’ve lost touch with. A simple “Hi, it’s been a while, how are things going?” message can reopen doors you may have forgotten were there.

Pro Tip: Change your LinkedIn headline from just your job title to something that broadly describes what you do and the value you bring. “Marketing Manager at XYZ” is fine, but “Marketing Manager | Helping brands connect with Gen Z audiences” tells people why they should pay attention.

Revisit Your Goals

If you set goals at the start of the year, March is a good time for a quick check-in. Are they still relevant? Have your priorities shifted? Are you making progress, or have your goals quietly slipped off the radar?

Be honest with yourself. It’s perfectly fine to adjust goals that no longer make sense. The point isn’t to stick rigidly to a plan; it’s to make sure you’re heading somewhere that matters to you.

Clear the Digital Clutter

Are your inbox, desktop, and phone overdue for a clear-out? Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read (not this one, obviously!). Archive old emails. Organise your files into folders that actually make sense. Delete apps you haven’t opened in months.

This might sound trivial, but digital clutter (like seeing 127 random files and folders every time you look at your computer desktop) creates a low-level background stress that most of us don’t even notice until it’s gone. A clean digital workspace genuinely helps you think more clearly.

Learn One New Thing

Spring is a great time to start a short course, pick up a new tool, or finally get to grips with something you’ve been putting off. It doesn’t need to be a major commitment – even a free online tutorial or a lunch-hour webinar counts. The point is to signal to yourself that you’re still moving, still growing. The College offers a wide range of flexible courses that fit around your schedule – it might be worth a look to see what catches your eye.

Have One ‘Career Conversation’

Perhaps the most powerful spring clean action of all is simply having a conversation about your career – with your manager, a mentor, a trusted colleague, or even a friend who works in a field you’re curious about.

Ask where they see opportunities. Share what you’re thinking. Get a perspective that isn’t just the voice inside your own head.

One good conversation can shift your thinking more than weeks of solo reflection.