6 Common CV Mistakes and How to Fix Them

If you’re sending out loads of CVs and not hearing anything back, it may be time to give your CV a much-needed re-vamp.

There are plenty of CV mistakes that graduates make which don’t seem like a big deal at the time but can majorly diminish your chances of getting the job.

Your CV needs to be immaculate. However, proofreading your CV takes an eye for detail and patience. If you want some tips on the most common CV mistakes to avoid, see our top six lists below. Some of these mistakes and errors could ruin your chance of even getting an interview. And one mistake in a CV can make a recruiter doubt your credibility.

1. Spelling mistakes and bad grammar

A lack of attention to detail could outweigh your otherwise perfect CV. Spell-check doesn’t always spot errors and is unable to detect misuse of incorrect words, such as ‘diary’ being mistakenly spelled as ‘dairy’, so it’s always worth asking a fresh pair of eyes to look over and find any last typos for you.

Grammar can be tweaked by reading your CV aloud; if it doesn’t sound correct, it’s likely that it won’t read very well either.

2. Not having employment history in chronological order

It’s important to have your most relevant experience at the top of your employment history. This makes it easier for recruiters to see what projects/roles you have taken part in recently.

It also helps the recruiter to see if you have relevant experience and are suitable for the position which is currently on offer.

3. Focusing on duties rather than achievements

Draw attention to your accomplishments rather than reeling off your job description. Think of successful campaigns, new procedures, sales increases, and the specific value you contributed in your current and previous roles. Not all positions have measurable KPIs but think of the reasons and examples of how you made an impact and what you can bring to your new employer.

4. Long CVs

The maximum number of pages of a professional CV is still something debatable. It doesn’t have to be too long or too short. Imagine the hiring manager going through pages and pages of your CV trying to look for suitable qualifications. Most recruiters don’t go past the second or third page. Know where to place your most valuable skills.

5. Failing to tailor your application

When it comes to CVs, one size doesn’t fit all. Everything that you include must be tailored entirely to the company and role that you’re applying for. This will make it easy for recruiters to see that you’re the perfect candidate.

Employers can immediately sense whether you’ve sufficiently assessed the job requirements. For a recruiter, there’s nothing worse than receiving a CV that conveys a lack of interest, connection, or time spent on it. Evaluating which of your skills match the job specification most effectively will give you the best chance of success.

6. Ignoring gaps in your work history

Gaps in employment history are fairly common and rarely a problem as long as they’re explained. You don’t need to worry about gaps of a couple of weeks but if you’ve been out of work for months or even years you need to clearly and concisely explain why. Any unexplained absences of this length will be looked upon with suspicion by potential employers and will give the impression that you’ve been idle during this time.

For further CV advice, get in touch with our professional CV experts today for more helpful tips.

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