Top CV mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)

by Amber Rolfe

Your CV is basically a first date - you have to show the best version of yourself without exaggerating or making things awkward…

If yours is packed with generic phrases, cluttered formatting, or an exhaustive chronicle of your achievements as Year 10 Cricket Captain (unless you’re gunning for the England squad, maybe give that one a miss), you could be pitching yourself straight into the 'no' pile. 

The good news? Avoiding the most common mistakes is doable, and could mean the difference between rejection and a foot in the door…

What not to do on your CV

OK, so you might already know what you should include in your CV - but what about what you shouldn't?

Here are eight things you should always avoid doing on your CV (and our advice on what to do instead):

1. Use generic language that says nothing

CVs that say things like 'results-driven professional', 'excellent team player', or 'dynamic go-getter' are all too common.  

But like wasps at a picnic (see also: ants), they’re not welcome - and stock phrases like these say very little about you or your real skills. It’s the CV equivalent of listing ‘breathing’ on your list of achievements.

Remember, your CV has about seven seconds to grab attention. Vague language and overused buzzwords will only make you blend in with a sea of similar applicants. And unless you’re hiring for a role as a professional chameleon, this isn’t a good thing. 

✅ Do this instead:

• Use clear, specific language. For example, rather than 'hardworking', try: 'Collaborated with a ten-person team to redesign onboarding, resulting in a 25% increase in customer satisfaction.'
• Support claims with actual examples from your work or studies. If you’re 'detail-oriented', include evidence like 'managed a database of 5,000 customer accounts with zero errors for 12 months'.

2. Send the same CV to every job

Look, we get it – nobody wakes up thinking 'Today, I’d like to rewrite my CV for the fifteenth time.' 

But whilst it may be tempting to start sending as many applications as possible (a.k.a. ‘the scattergun strategy’), this approach will not increase your chances of success. In fact, it could end up having the complete opposite effect.

Different recruiters want different things, and different roles require different skills. Without focussing on what they’re looking for, you’re missing out on the opportunity to sell yourself.

✅ Do this instead:

• Tailor your CV for every position, using keywords found in the specific job description, especially in your 'Skills' and 'Experience' sections.
• Highlight achievements or experience most relevant to the position. Adapt your CV so that the focus matches the requirements of each job you apply for.
• Even small tweaks can make a difference – and you don’t have to rewrite your work history from scratch.

3. Use formatting that is hard to read

Never underestimate the importance of presentation. It’s all very well getting all the words right, but if you haven’t displayed them in the right way a recruiter is unlikely to give your application the time it deserves.

So keep it simple and avoid using anything too complicated in an effort to impress. Pictures, tables, graphs may look pretty (depending on your affinity to Microsoft Excel) but should be approached with caution. Not only do they take up valuable room, they’re also unreliable. If the formatting isn’t pulled through properly, it could make your CV appear unprofessional – even if it’s not your fault.

And let’s face it, if recruiters have to dig your skills and experience out from a pile of Comic Sans - they’re probably going to give your CV a miss.

✅ Do this instead:

• Choose a professional, readable font (like Arial or Calibri, 10–12 pt), and stick with it throughout.
• Use clear section headings, bullet points, and enough white space to prevent the page from looking crowded.
• Aim for a maximum of two pages, and always save your CV as a PDF to preserve your formatting.

CV layout dos and don’ts

4. Include irrelevant information

When writing a CV, some candidates are tempted to include as much information as possible in an effort to impress.

However, a well-written CV does not necessarily mean an overwritten CV. Remember: employers don’t have time to read through your life story. Keep it short, pertinent and to the point if you want your CV to be a success.

Hiring managers want to know if you can do the job, not whether you once won ‘Best Attendance’ in Year 8.

✅ Do this instead:

• Focus on experience, skills, and achievements that are directly relevant to the job you are targeting.
• Leave out personal details such as age, marital status, or photos unless the employer specifically asks.
• For those changing careers, highlight transferable skills that fit the new industry.

5. Forget to quantify your achievements

Saying you 'led a project' is nice, but saying you 'led a project that launched three weeks early and under budget' is a lot more impressive. 

Numbers have a magical power to make your experience stand out and seem concrete far more than a collection of adjectives ever will.

If you can count it, measure it, or mark it on a graph, it deserves a number on your CV. Otherwise, you’re just hoping a hiring manager will take your word for it. Proof. Is. Everything. 

✅ Do this instead:

• Where possible, back up your claims with data. For example: 'Increased sales by 15% over six months through targeted campaigns,' or 'Built a team of five developers and launched three successful products in 18 months'.

6. Slip up on spelling and grammar

We’ve all typed 'manger' instead of 'manager' at least once. But on your CV? That’s one typo you really do want to avoid. 

Errors can suggest you’re not big on the detail, which isn’t great if the job description literally asks for someone with a ‘good attention to detail’. 

Re-reading: it’s impotent*.

✅ Do this instead:

• Proofread your CV carefully. Read it aloud, use spellcheck tools, and ask a friend to review it. Don't rely solely on automated corrections.
• Double check contact information - incorrect details mean missed opportunities.

7. Skip the profile or personal statement

Jumping straight into your job history is a missed opportunity. 

A short, punchy profile or personal statement at the top of your CV can help you stand out in a sea of applicants. Without it, you’re making the hiring manager work to figure out who you are – and honestly, nobody reads a CV for fun.

So instead of shying away from the summary section, use it to grab interest and set the narrative. 

Think of it as your movie trailer: you want them hooked right from the start.

✅ Do this instead:

• Write a brief, focused profile at the top of your CV. Include your main skills, area of expertise, and the type of position you are looking for.
• Keep it concise (two to three sentences), clear, and tied closely to what the employer is seeking.

8. Lie or exaggerate

It might be tempting to stretch the truth on your CV - after all, who’s going to check if you really increased sales by 300% or speak fluent Mandarin?

But here’s the thing: recruiters often do check, and getting caught in a lie can ruin your chances faster than you can say 'embellished.'

Even small exaggerations can backfire. Claiming skills or experience you don’t have could land you in a role you’re unprepared for, which won’t do you or your employer any favours.

✅ Do this instead:

• Be honest about your skills and experience. If you’re missing something the job requires, focus on your willingness to learn or transferable skills.
• Highlight your real achievements - no matter how small they might seem. Authenticity goes a long way with recruiters.

Five lines that are killing your CV

Looking for specific phrases to avoid? Here are five common CV phrases that might be doing more harm than good:

1. 'Although I don’t have much experience in…'

Starting with an apology is like walking into an interview and saying, 'I’m probably not the person you’re looking for.' It highlights your weaknesses instead of your strengths. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should the recruiter?

• What to do instead: Focus on what you can bring to the role. Highlight transferable skills, relevant achievements, or your enthusiasm to learn.

2. 'I’m great at multi-tasking.'

Multi-tasking might be useful, but this phrase has been so overused it’s become white noise. It’s like saying, 'I own a pair of shoes' - it’s true, but not exactly groundbreaking.

• What to do instead: Share a specific example of when you juggled multiple tasks successfully. For example, 'Managed three client projects simultaneously, delivering all ahead of schedule and under budget.' Now that’s impressive.

3. 'I’m a team player, who also works well alone.'

This is the ultimate fence-sitter. It’s trying to cover all bases but ends up saying nothing.

• What to do instead: Tailor your response to the role. If teamwork is key, share an example of a successful collaboration. If independence is required, highlight a time you took the lead and delivered results solo.

4. 'I’m a perfectionist.'

Ah, the classic 'humblebrag' that’s neither humble nor convincing. It often translates to 'I’m picky and might struggle with deadlines.'

• What to do instead: Let your achievements speak for themselves. Show you’re detail-oriented by sharing examples of work you’ve done to a high standard—without claiming to be perfect (because nobody is).

5. 'I'm a people person.'

Let’s face it, this phrase is too vague to be useful. Plus, HR professionals have seen it so many times they probably roll their eyes when they read it.

• What to do instead: Demonstrate your people skills with examples. For instance, 'Resolved 95% of customer complaints on first contact, improving satisfaction scores by 20%.' That’s how you show you’re good with people.

Final thoughts

Job searching can be a long and difficult process – and when you’re concentrating on finding the right role, writing a great cover letter, and interview preparation, it can be easy to let your CV slip through the cracks.

But in any job search – your CV matters.

Remember: you might be fully qualified for a role, but not representing your skills accurately on your CV could be what’s really costing you the job.

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*Yes, this spelling mistake was intentional.