CV Writing Mistakes That Could Cost You the Job (And How to Fix Them!)

Your CV is your first impression—a digital handshake before you ever step into an interview. It’s supposed to sell you, not sabotage you. But here’s the thing: recruiters and hiring managers see the same mistakes over and over again.

What happens when your CV is too long, too generic, or just… underwhelming? It gets lost in the pile.

Let’s talk about the biggest CV mistakes that might be holding you back—and, more importantly, how to fix them.

1. The “One-Size-Fits-All” CV Problem

We get it—it’s easier to send the same CV to every job. But here’s the truth: recruiters can tell.

Employers want to feel like you want this job, not just any job. If your CV looks like a mass-produced template, it’s getting skimmed, not shortlisted.

🛠 The Fix:

• Tailor your CV for every role by matching key skills from the job description.
• Modify your personal statement to reflect the company’s industry and values.
• Rearrange your skills and experience based on what’s most relevant.

💡 Pro tip: If you’re applying for multiple roles in different industries, create two or three versions of your CV instead of just one.

2. Overloading It with Too Much Information

Long CVs are recruiter kryptonite. No one has time to read three pages of every job you’ve ever had.

If your CV is a novel, you’re making the hiring manager do extra work—and they won’t.

🛠 The Fix:

• Keep it two pages max (one page is ideal for junior roles).
• Cut irrelevant experience—your weekend job from ten years ago? Gone.
• Use bullet points for job descriptions—no long paragraphs.

💡 Pro tip: Your CV should be skimmable. A recruiter should be able to scan it in six seconds and know if they want to call you.

3. Using Generic, Buzzword-Filled Language

“Hardworking team player with excellent communication skills.”

Sound familiar? That’s because everyone writes this. It doesn’t actually say anything about your skills.

Hiring managers don’t want fluff, they want proof.

🛠 The Fix:

• Ditch vague statements—instead of “Good problem-solving skills,” say “Resolved a 25% efficiency gap in team operations by implementing new workflow processes.”
• Use numbers to show impact—percentages, revenue increases, cost savings, or efficiency improvements.
• Describe what you actually did—don’t just list responsibilities, highlight results.

💡 Pro tip: When in doubt, ask “So what?” after every point on your CV. If it doesn’t answer why it’s impressive, rewrite it.

4. Ignoring Keywords (And Getting Ghosted by ATS Systems)

Did you know most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs before a human even sees them?

If your CV doesn’t have the right keywords, it might never reach a recruiter’s desk.

🛠 The Fix:

• Scan the job description and match your CV to relevant keywords (e.g., “Project Management,” “Customer Service,” “Data Analysis”).
• Avoid overusing fancy job titles—if you were a “Customer Experience Guru,” change it to “Customer Service Representative” so ATS systems recognise it.
• Use standard headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills) so the system parses your CV correctly.

💡 Pro tip: If you’re applying online, paste the job description into a word cloud tool. The biggest words? Those should be in your CV.

5. Bad Formatting (Because Looks Matter!)

A messy, hard-to-read CV is a recruiter’s nightmare. Too many fonts, blocks of text, or weird colours? Straight to the rejection pile.

🛠 The Fix:

• Stick to a clean, professional layout. No more than two fonts (one for headings, one for text).
• Use clear sections—Work Experience, Education, Skills, etc.
• Avoid overusing bold and italics—use formatting sparingly to highlight key details.

💡 Pro tip: PDF is always the safest format to send unless the job posting specifies otherwise. It keeps your formatting intact.

6. Forgetting a Strong Personal Statement

Your Personal Statement (or Summary) is your elevator pitch—it’s what hooks the recruiter in the first 5 seconds.

If it’s weak, generic, or missing? Your CV loses impact immediately.

🛠 The Fix:

• Lead with who you are, your top skills, and what you bring to the role.
• Keep it under 5 sentences. Example:“Experienced Digital Marketing Specialist with 5+ years in paid advertising and campaign management. Proven ability to drive a 30% increase in engagement through targeted strategies. Passionate about data-driven marketing and brand growth.”

💡 Pro tip: The personal statement should be job-specific—a general one won’t stand out.

Final Thought: Your CV is a Work in Progress

No one gets it perfect on the first try. The best CVs evolve—just like your career.

So, keep refining it, updating it, and tailoring it for the jobs you really want. The better your CV, the closer you are to landing the right role. 🚀