Your CV is a hugely important document when looking for a new job. It’s your chance to showcase your skills, experience and achievements to potential employers. However, even minor mistakes on your CV could lead to lost opportunities and lower salary offers, potentially costing you thousands over the course of your career. Avoid these common CV blunders and make sure your CV gives the right impression.
1. CV Layout
One of the most common CV mistakes is having a poorly formatted layout. Your CV layout and structure should be clear, consistent and easy to read at a glance. Using CV templates can help ensure your layout hits the mark. Look for a simple, professional template without distracting designs. Stick to standard fonts like Arial. Use bullet points to break up dense blocks of text. White space between sections also improves readability. Your name and contact details should feature prominently at the top. Dates should follow a reverse chronological order. Carefully check for consistent formatting and fix any alignment issues before sending your CV out. A poorly formatted CV with inconsistent fonts, spacing and layout suggests a lack of attention to detail.
2. Length
Keeping your CV concise is essential. As a general rule, CVs longer than two pages risk losing the reader’s interest. Recent graduates can usually condense their experience into a single page, while those with more extensive experience may need two pages. Use bullet points to summarise responsibilities and achievements so you can fit more into less space. Only include information relevant to the job you’re applying for. Now is not the time to cram in every minor detail – keep it short, simple and focused. This will make your CV look crowded and difficult to read. A clear, well-edited CV shows you can organise information effectively.
3. Personal Details
How you present your personal details can also influence how your CV is received. Only provide essential information the employer needs here, such as your name, address, phone number and email. There’s no need to list your date of birth, marital status, nationality or other personal facts. Photos are also typically not necessary unless specifically requested. Providing appropriate personal details that focus on your contact information presents a more professional image.
4. Spelling and Grammar
Typos and grammar mistakes are a sure-fire way to make your CV look less professional immediately. Always proofread your CV thoroughly and run spell checks to catch any errors. Read it aloud or get a second pair of eyes to review. Check you’ve used the correct versions of words like “licence/license” in UK English. Consider your tenses – experiences should be described in the past tense, while current roles can use the present. Perfect grammar may not come naturally, but errors could undermine everything else you’ve worked hard on.
5. Unsupported Claims
Simply stating your skills isn’t enough—you must back them up with concrete evidence. Instead of just claiming expertise in software X, explain how you used it to cut costs and boost efficiency by 15%. Use measurable facts to showcase your achievements, like “delivered presentations to groups of 100+ clients” for strong communication skills.
With small businesses expected to increase hiring in 2025, competition will be strong. Stand out by demonstrating your abilities with real examples but stay truthful—exaggerations or false claims can harm your credibility.
6. Irrelevant Information
Your CV needs to be tailored specifically to each job you apply for. Sometimes, job seekers leave irrelevant entries on their CVs simply because they want to fill space. However, recruiters will immediately pick up on any obvious filler content. If you held a retail job in college that has nothing to do with the accounting role you now want, leave it off. Only the most relevant positions should be included, especially if you have lots of experience. Customise your CV by highlighting transferable skills from your experience that meet the employer’s needs. A targeted CV aligned to the role will always impress more than irrelevant filler.
7. Negative Tone
Keep your tone positive by avoiding negatives like “unable to” and over-elaboration. Use confident, active language like “created an app to retain users”. Don’t be self-deprecating or highlight weaknesses. Present your experience positively without exaggerating. A positive tone keeps the reader engaged.
Avoiding mistakes will help your CV impress recruiters. Tailor it to the role and showcase your skills with a professional, focused CV. Keep it concise, error-free and supported with examples. A stellar CV can give you confidence when applying for and negotiating salary, potentially gaining you thousands over your career.
