Writing a CV should be simple, right? One or two pages about your experience, your skills, and the value you bring. Yet so many candidates lose out on interviews because their CV isn’t doing them justice. Sometimes it’s small details, sometimes it’s big errors, but either way, those mistakes can cost you opportunities you’d be perfect for. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t spend long on each CV. We’re talking seconds, not minutes. If yours doesn’t hit the mark quickly, it might never get a second look. The good news? Most of the mistakes people make are completely avoidable.
Mistake 1: Making It Too Generic
The number one issue we see is CVs that feel like they could belong to anyone. A long list of responsibilities copied from a job description. Phrases like “hard-working,” “team player,” or “good communication skills” with nothing to back them up. Here’s the truth: if your CV could describe half the people in your industry, it won’t stand out. Hiring managers want to see your impact. Did you save the company money? Improve a process? Lead a team? Add numbers where you can. “Managed international shipments, reducing delays by 15%” is far stronger than “Responsible for international shipments.” Generic CVs don’t just blur into the pile; they tell the reader you haven’t thought about why you’re right for this role.
Mistake 2: Poor Formatting
Looks matter - harsh but true. If your CV is crammed full of text, badly spaced, or uses five different fonts, it’s hard to read and that means it’s hard to take you seriously. Your CV doesn’t have to be a design masterpiece, but it should be clear and professional. Use one font, keep headings consistent, and make good use of white space. Think about the reader: can they skim and pick out the key facts in seconds? If not, it’s time to tidy it up. I’ve seen brilliant candidates overlooked because their CV was almost unreadable. It’s frustrating because formatting is the easiest thing to fix.
Mistake 3: Too Long (or Too Short)
This one’s tricky. Some candidates hand over a six-page CV with every role they’ve ever had, back to the Saturday job they had at 16. Others send one page that barely scratches the surface. Neither works. As a rule of thumb, two pages is usually the sweet spot. Enough space to show experience, not so much that the detail gets lost. If you’re early in your career, one page will be fine. If you’re more senior, going onto three pages can work, but only if every line earns its place. Remember: a CV isn’t your life story; it’s a sales pitch - keep it focused.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Relevance
Here’s a big one. You’d be surprised how many CVs list tasks that have nothing to do with the role applied for. Candidates sometimes treat their CV as a brain dump of everything they’ve ever done. The hiring manager doesn’t want everything - they want the things that matter for this job. If you’re applying for a logistics planning role, emphasise planning, scheduling, and supply chain projects. Your early retail experience may have taught you plenty, but it doesn’t need three bullet points anymore. Tailoring your CV for each application takes effort, but it massively boosts your chances of landing interviews.
Mistake 5: Typos and Sloppy Errors
This one should go without saying, but it’s still one of the most common reasons CVs end up in the “no” pile. Spelling mistakes, dates that don’t add up, incorrect company names. The reality is, if your CV is sloppy, employers worry your work will be too. Always proofread. Better yet, ask someone else to read it. Fresh eyes spot things you don’t. It sounds harsh, but a single typo can cost you an interview when competition is tight.
Mistake 6: Forgetting to Show Personality
Now, your CV shouldn’t be quirky for the sake of it, but it should feel like it’s written by a real person, not AI. A short profile at the top can help bring it to life. Mention your strengths, your interests in the field, or your career goals. Keep it professional but make it personal enough that the reader sees some spark. I’ve had clients tell me they interviewed someone because their CV felt “human.” That little sense of personality made them curious - don’t underestimate it.
Final Thoughts
Your CV is often your first impression. Get it wrong, and you may never even get to the interview stage, but the mistakes we see, generic content, poor formatting, irrelevant detail, sloppy errors, are all fixable. Think of your CV as your shop window. Make it clear, relevant, and focused on your impact. Back up your skills with examples, cut out the noise, and above all, remember it’s about showing why you’re the right person for this job, not just any job. Do that, and you’ll give yourself the best chance of getting past the first sift and into the room where it really counts.
If you would like CV advice or are currently looking for a new role, submit your CV here.
