Most CV mistakes are small and easy to fix, but together they can make a strong candidate look careless or generic. Here are fifteen that come up often, grouped by where they appear, with a practical fix for each.
Presentation mistakes
These are the first things a reader notices, before they read a single achievement.
1. Typos and inconsistent formatting
Spelling mistakes, mixed date formats, and inconsistent capitalisation suggest a lack of care, especially for roles that ask for attention to detail. Fix: read the CV aloud, check every date against one format, and ask someone else to proofread it.
2. A design that is hard to read
Tiny fonts, low-contrast colours, and crowded pages make a reader work harder. Fix: use body text of a comfortable size, one accent colour, and enough space between sections. If the content does not fit, edit the content rather than shrinking the type.
3. Too long, or too short
A four-page CV for a junior role buries the best evidence; one that leaves out relevant experience undersells you. Fix: follow the usual length for the country and role, and cut anything that does not support this application. See how long a CV should be.
Content mistakes
These decide whether a reader understands what you can do.
4. A generic profile
“Hardworking team player seeking new challenges” could describe anyone. Fix: say what you do, what you are good at, and what you want next, with one specific detail. The resume summary builder gives you an editable starting point.
5. Duties instead of achievements
Listing responsibilities tells a reader what the job was, not how well you did it. Fix: start each bullet with an action and finish with a result, scale, or outcome. Our guide to describing work experience shows how.
6. Not tailoring the CV to the job
Sending the same CV to every role means your most relevant evidence is not always near the top. Fix: reorder bullets, adjust the profile, and use the employer’s language for skills you genuinely have. The resume keyword checker helps you compare.
7. Unexplained acronyms and jargon
Internal team names and abbreviations mean little outside your organisation. Fix: spell out acronyms once, and describe tools and processes in terms an outside reader recognises.
8. Claims you cannot back up
Overstated titles, inflated figures, and skills you have barely used are easy to expose in an interview or a reference check. Fix: keep every claim accurate, and be ready to give an example for each skill you list.
Mistakes in personal details
Small details at the top of the page can cost you an interview.
9. Missing or outdated contact details
An old phone number or a typo in an email address means an employer cannot reach you. Fix: test your email address and phone number before you send, and keep any links current.
10. An unprofessional email address
Fix: use a simple address based on your name, created just for applications if necessary.
11. Personal details the employer does not need
In the UK, US, Canada, and Australia, a photo, date of birth, marital status, or ID number is not expected on a CV. Fix: leave them out unless the advert asks for them. Our guides to the UK, US, Canadian, and Australian formats explain the local conventions.
Mistakes when you send it
The last step is where good CVs most often trip up.
12. Ignoring the application instructions
If the employer asks for a Word file, a cover letter, or answers to specific questions, missing them can remove you from consideration. Fix: read the advert twice and make a short checklist before you apply.
13. A confusing file name
“CV_final_v3_NEW.pdf” looks unfinished. Fix: name the file with your name and the document type, such as “Jordan Taylor CV.pdf”.
14. Gaps with no context
A gap is not a problem in itself, but a reader may wonder about it. Fix: if it helps, add a short, honest line such as “Career break: caring responsibilities”, plus anything relevant you did during that time.
15. Not checking the final PDF
Page breaks, missing sections, and broken links only show up in the finished file. Fix: open the PDF you are about to send, check every page, and use the final CV checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common CV mistake?
Spelling and grammar mistakes are among the most common, and the easiest to fix. Read your CV aloud, and ask someone else to check it.
Is a two-page CV a mistake?
No. Two pages is normal in the UK and for experienced candidates in many countries. The mistake is filling space with information that does not help the application.
Should I explain gaps in my CV?
You do not have to, but a short, honest line can answer a reader’s question before it comes up.