Even small mistakes can cost you an interview. Here are the most common CV errors and how to avoid them.
Content mistakes
1. Typos and grammar errors
Nothing signals carelessness like spelling mistakes. Proofread multiple times, and have someone else review it too.
2. Listing duties instead of achievements
Employers want to know what you accomplished, not just what you were supposed to do.
| Duty-focused (weak) | Achievement-focused (strong) |
|---|---|
| "Responsible for sales" | "Increased sales by 30% in Q3" |
| "Handled customer complaints" | "Reduced complaint resolution time by 50%" |
3. Including irrelevant information
Leave out:
- High school education (if you have higher education)
- Very old work experience (unless directly relevant)
- Personal information like marital status or age
- Hobbies (unless they're relevant to the job)
4. Being too vague
Generic phrases don't help. Be specific.
- Vague: "Good communication skills"
- Specific: "Presented quarterly results to board of 12 executives"
5. Lying or exaggerating
Everything on your CV should be verifiable. Lies will catch up with you – often during the interview.
Format mistakes
6. Too long
Keep it to 1-2 pages. If you have 20+ years of experience, focus on the most relevant 10-15 years.
7. Poor formatting
Avoid:
- Inconsistent fonts or font sizes
- Cramped text with no white space
- Unusual colors or graphics (unless in a creative field)
- Multiple columns that confuse ATS systems
8. Wrong file format
Unless specified otherwise, always send a PDF. Word documents can look different on different computers.
9. Unprofessional email address
Use firstname.lastname@email.com, not coolguy99@email.com.
Strategic mistakes
10. Using the same CV for every job
As covered in the tailoring guide, customize your CV for each application.
11. Starting with an objective statement
Objective statements ("Seeking a challenging position...") are outdated. Use a professional summary instead.
12. Including references on the CV
Don't include references unless specifically asked. "References available upon request" is also unnecessary.
Quick checklist before sending
- No typos or grammar errors
- Contact information is correct
- File is named professionally (Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf)
- Links work (LinkedIn, portfolio)
- No company-specific content from previous applications
- Achievements are quantified where possible
- Format is clean and consistent
Try it yourself
- Open your current CV
- Go through each item in the checklist above
- Find 3 duty-focused bullet points
- Rewrite them as achievements
- Have someone else proofread it
Next step
Your CV is strong – now make it even better with powerful references.