A jobseeker’s guide to getting the most from your CPD

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) isn’t just for people already in work – it’s one of the most powerful tools you can use while job hunting. Keeping your skills fresh, your knowledge up to date, and showing potential employers that you are proactive about learning will set you apart in a competitive market.

Here’s how to make CPD work for you as a jobseeker:

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to study specific topics?
Not necessarily. You’re free to choose the areas that best fit your career goals. A mix is usually best: structured training courses can be useful, but reading, online research, attending webinars, or joining industry talks can be just as valuable. Employers like to see a well-rounded record that shows curiosity and initiative.

Tip: Don’t just list what you did – explain what you learnt and why it matters for your career. Clear learning outcomes make your CPD more impactful.

Can I include CPD from different sources?
Yes. It doesn’t matter if your learning comes from a professional body, an online provider, a previous employer, or your own research. What counts is that you can demonstrate how much time you invested and what you gained from it.

What if I don’t have much time or money for courses?
Not all CPD requires formal training. Reflect on the skills you’ve developed while volunteering, freelancing, or working on personal projects. Even solving complex problems in everyday life can count as professional learning if you take the time to think about what you’ve gained.

Can qualifications count as CPD?
Absolutely. A qualification is a great example of structured learning and often covers many hours of CPD. But don’t stop there – employers also value “soft skills” like communication, teamwork, and adaptability. Think about how you can log development in these areas too.

Making CPD work for your job search

• Set goals. Decide what skills or knowledge will help you land the role you want, then shape your CPD around those goals.

• Keep a record. Note down every learning activity with dates, hours, and outcomes. This makes it easy to showcase on your CV or at interviews.

• Show commitment. Logging CPD demonstrates to employers that you take your professional growth seriously.

• Use online tools. Many professional bodies and training providers offer free or low-cost CPD resources, webinars, and short courses.

Where to start

• Browse free training and webinars on professional body websites such as CABE.

• Use LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or other platforms for short, targeted courses.

• Join technical meetings, industry talks, or career events to expand both knowledge and your network.

By treating CPD as part of your job search strategy, you can show employers that you’re not just looking for a role – you’re actively building the skills to thrive in it.

The original version of this article appeared in the September issue of Building Engineer, the official publication for members of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers.

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