18 common CV mistakes (and how to fix them)

Crafting an impressive CV can be challenging, especially when even the most minor mistakes can make the difference between landing an interview and being overlooked. With recruiters often reviewing CVs in seconds, presenting a polished and effective document is crucial.

To help you get it right, members of the British Association of CV Writers (BACVW) have compiled a list of the most frequent CV mistakes they see when working with clients, along with practical tips to fix them and boost your chances of success.

Inadequate Contact Details

Mistake: Forgetting essential contact info or adding unnecessary details.

Fix: Make sure you've got your preferred name (skip middle names and titles), a mobile number (landlines aren't needed), your LinkedIn profile link, and a simple location (just town/city and county—no need for a full address).

Poor Spelling and Grammar

Mistake: Including typos and grammar slip-ups that can leave a poor impression.

Fix: Proofread carefully and use using tools like Grammarly. Reading your CV backwards or using a read-aloud feature can help spot mistakes. Plus, a second set of eyes from a friend can do wonders!

Listing Duties Instead of Achievements

Mistake: Listing what you did without showing how you made an impact.

Fix: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to highlight achievements. Focus on specific, measurable outcomes. For example, Ied a team that boosted sales by 15%.

Including Irrelevant Information

Mistake: Mentioning outdated roles or skills that don't matter anymore.

Fix: Keep it current by focusing on your experience from the past 10-15 years, especially roles that tie into the job you're after. Older roles can go under an "Earlier Career Summary," with just the job title and company. Tailor your skills to match the job description.

Inconsistency

Mistake: Not paying attention to detail e.g., messy formatting, mismatched punctuation, or inconsistent dates.

Fix: Pick a clean font style and size (10-12pt for content, 14pt for headings), and stick with it. Decide on punctuation rules, like whether to use full stops with bullet points and stay consistent. Double-check that your dates match and align with your LinkedIn profile.

Using Personal Pronouns

Mistake: Writing in the first person ("I," "me," or "my") can come off too casual.

Fix: Drop the pronouns and start your sentences with strong action verbs. For example, "Managed a team" instead of "I managed a team." It keeps your CV punchy and professional.

Exaggerating Achievements

Mistake: Overselling your accomplishments or taking credit for team efforts that weren't all yours.

Fix: Be honest. If you contributed to a team win, write your achievement like this, "Contributed to a £100k sales increase, helping the team hit a £250k target."

Using Jargon and Acronyms

Mistake: Throwing in too much industry jargon or abbreviations that might confuse people.

Fix: Spell out acronyms the first time you use them and put the abbreviation in brackets. Keep the language straightforward and have someone outside your field read it for clarity.

Unprofessional Email Addresses

Mistake: Using an email address that screams "not serious," like gamerdude2024@...

Fix: Set up a clean, professional email address for job applications, like yourname@...

Unclear Job Titles

Mistake: Using quirky or vague job titles, like "Chief Happiness Officer."

Fix: Stick to simple, standard job titles that recruiters and software systems will recognise.

Overly Complex Formatting

Mistake: Going wild with borders, tables, or strange fonts that confuse Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Fix: Keep your layout simple and easy to scan. Use plenty of white space between sections and avoid tables or over-the-top formatting.

Information Overload

Mistake: Packing in too much detail makes your CV hard to skim.

Fix: Be concise—ideally, stick to 1-2 pages. Use bullet points to break things up and only include what applies to the job. Make it easy to read.

Chronological Gaps

Mistake: Leaving unexplained gaps in your work history can raise eyebrows.

Fix: Be upfront about career breaks and give a brief explanation such as caregiving or further education. If needed, a skills-based CV can help highlight your strengths.

Leaving Out Achievements

Mistake: Only describing what you did, without showing the difference you made.

Fix: Think about even small wins you've had, and describe how you solved problems, improved things, or added value.

Lengthy or Wordy Sentences

Mistake: Using chunky blocks of text that nobody wants to read.

Fix: Break up your text with bullet points, keep sentences short and impactful, and make every word earn its place.

Personal Information Overload

Mistake: Including too much personal stuff, like your age, marital status, or National Insurance number.

Fix: Only share details highlighting your professional value—your name, phone number, email, LinkedIn link, and a brief location.

Looking Backwards, Not Forwards

Mistake: Focussing too much on past roles rather than looking to the future.

Fix: Open with a strong profile that outlines your career goals and what you bring to the table. Ensure your CV shows how you're a fit for the job you want.

Too Long or Too Short

Mistake: Writing a CV that's too thin or too packed.

Fix: Aim for 1-2 pages of relevant, to-the-point details. Give enough information to show your skills, but don't overdo it.

In conclusion, creating an impressive CV is a critical step toward landing your dream job, and avoiding these common pitfalls can set you apart from other candidates.

By focusing on clarity, relevance, and professionalism, you can present your skills and experience in a way that captures the attention of recruiters. Remember, your CV is often your first opportunity to make a powerful impression, so invest the effort to ensure it stands out for all the right reasons. With these expert-backed adjustments, you'll be well on your way to crafting a CV that opens doors and advances your career.

Contributors

Laura Harmsworth – Caversham CV Writing

Debbie Dymock – Northamptonshire Careers

Kathryn Hall – The Career Owl

Elizabeth Openshaw, Director of OpenDoor CV Expertise

Jaqui Winston, New CV

Amanda Carpenter - Founder AC Career Services Ltd

Jen David – CV Shed

Tracey Salisbury – CV Prime

Jenny Byron – Military Spouse Works

Photo credit: Pexels, Cup of Couple