A fresh new year brings a surge in job openings – and competition. If you want to stand out, your CV needs to be polished, modern, and mistake-free. Here’s a detailed look at the most common CV mistakes and how to fix them, so your CV can be firmly on the ‘nice list’ before the new year.
1. Spelling and grammar errors
Spelling mistakes suggest a lack of attention to detail – something employers notice instantly. Even one error can create a negative impression.
Why it matters: Many roles (especially administration, finance, marketing, and customer service) rely heavily on accuracy. Typos signal risk.
How to fix it:
- Use automated tools (e.g., built-in Spell Checkers, Grammarly).
- Print your CV – mistakes are easier to spot on paper.
- Ask a friend or recruiter to proofread it. Fresh eyes catch what you miss.
2. Outdated information
Old jobs, irrelevant responsibilities, and obsolete skills take up valuable space and distract from what you can offer today.
Why it matters: Employers want to see your most recent experience and evidence of progression.
How to fix it:
- Remove roles older than 10-15 years unless highly relevant.
- Update job responsibilities to reflect your current duties.
- Delete outdated certifications or expired training (e.g., old versions of software).
- Make sure your LinkedIn profile matches your CV, as hiring managers will check.
3. Walls of text
Recruiters skim-read CVs in seconds. Large blocks of text make your CV difficult to digest.
Why it matters: If your CV feels overwhelming, it won’t be read properly – and key information gets lost.
How to fix it:
- Break paragraphs into bullet points.
- Use short, punchy statements.
- Add spacing between sections for readability.
- Keep each bullet to one line where possible.
4. Responsibilities instead of achievements
Many CVs read like job descriptions. Employers already know what your job shouldhave involved – what they want to see is impact.
Why it matters: Achievements differentiate you from someone who simply ‘did the job’.
How to fix it:
Swap:
“Responsible for managing social media.”
For:
“Grew social media engagement by 40% in six months through targeted content strategy.”
Other examples:
- “Reduced processing times by introducing digital workflows.”
- “Improved customer satisfaction ratings from 82% to 94%.”
Quantify wherever possible – numbers stand out.
5. Generic personal statements
Statements like ‘motivated team player’ or ‘hard-working individual’ tell employers nothing new – everyone writes them.
Why it matters: Generic statements waste space and fail to communicate your specific strengths.
How to fix it:
- Tailor your summary to your sector and the role you want.
- Focus on strengths, specialisms, and value.
- Include 2-3 key achievements or skill highlights.
Example:
“HR Advisor with 5+ years’ experience supporting multi-site teams, specialising in employee relations, onboarding, and policy development.”
6. Unclear or uncommon job titles
Some internal job titles don’t translate well to the external market (think ‘Customer Happiness Ninja’, ‘Processing Champion’, or ‘Studio Guru’).
Why it matters: Recruiters and hiring managers may overlook your CV if the title isn’t relevant or understandable.
How to fix it:
- Use your official title, but add a market-friendly version in brackets – e.g. “Client Success Wizard (Account Manager)”
- Ensure job titles align reasonably with what you actually did.
7. Missing dates or unexplained employment gaps
Gaps aren’t a problem – unexplained gaps are. When dates don’t line up, employers wonder what’s missing.
Why it matters: Transparency builds trust. Lack of clarity raises red flags.
How to fix it:
- Include months and years (Jan 2020 – Aug 2022).
- Add a short explanation for gaps, such as:
- Parental leave
- Travel
- Study
- Illness or recovery
- Redundancy
- Keep it simple: one line is enough.
Example:
“Jan 2023 – Sept 2023: Career break to complete professional training.”
8. No industry keywords
With many companies using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), keywords matter more than ever. If your CV doesn’t match the job description language, it may never reach a human.
Why it matters: ATS software filters candidates based on terminology – even high-quality applicants get screened out if the working doesn’t match.
How to fix it:
- Study the job advert.
- Identify recurring skills (e.g. ‘stakeholder management’, ‘HTML’, ‘inventory control’).
- Mirror these terms naturally in your CV.
- Avoid keyword-stuffing – your CV should still read naturally.
9. Outdated design and formatting
CV design has evolved. Old-fashioned formats make you look out of touch.
Signs your layout is outdated:
- WordArt or decorative fonts
- Heavy colours or graphics
- Tables that break on mobile
- Multiple columns that confuse scanning
- Tiny fonts
- Photo of yourself
How to fix it:
- Use a clean, modern layout with plenty of white space.
- Stick to simple fonts (e.g. Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, Aptos).
- Make headings bold for structure.
- Save as a PDF to preserve formatting.
10. A CV that’s the wrong length
There’s a common belief that every CV should fit neatly onto two pages – but that simply isn’t true. The ideal length depends entirely on your career level and the story your CV needs to tell.
Why it matters: For most candidates, a long CV looks unfocused. But for senior and executive professionals, a one or two-page limit can hide achievements. The right length depends on your level and the amount of detail needed to show your impact.
How to fix it:
- If you’re early or mid-career:
- Remove outdated or irrelevant roles.
- Cut repetitive duties.
- Focus on recent achievements.
- Tighten language and structure.
- If you’re a senior or executive candidate:
- Start with a strong, achievement-led career overview.
- Provide detailed descriptions of leadership roles.
- Include commercial impact, measurable outcomes, and strategic achievements.
- Allow your CV to extend beyond two pages if the detail adds value.
A CV should be as long as necessary, and as short as possible. What matters most is relevance, clarity, and impact.
A great CV opens doors
Your CV is often your first impression. Taking time now to polish it, thoughtfully and strategically, gives you a clear advantage when the January job market explodes with opportunities.
