10 common CV mistakes (and how to fix them)
A recruiter scans a CV for just a few seconds. In that window, a handful of small mistakes can sink a good application. Here are the ten most common - and how to fix each one.
The list
- Typos and grammar slips. Read your CV aloud or ask someone to check it.
- One CV for every job. Tailor the summary and skills to each ad.
- Duties instead of results. Swap "responsible for sales" for "grew sales by 20%".
- Too long. One page, two at most.
- A chaotic layout. Clear sections and headings help the ATS too.
- No numbers. Specifics build credibility.
- Outdated contact details. Double-check your email and phone number.
- Background images and graphics. An ATS may not read them - keep it simple.
- Unexplained gaps. Briefly account for longer breaks.
- The wrong tone. Neither stiff nor chatty - factual and concrete.
How to fix your CV fast
Go through each section against this list. The biggest wins come from replacing generic phrases with concrete results and matching the content to the job ad. The rest is order and readability.
Most of these stay invisible until something reads the file mechanically. An ATS check of your CV takes under a minute and flags them with the offending line quoted back at you.
Build a CV with an ATS-readable layout - free, with live preview.
Create my CV →
Comments