10 Common Mistakes That Could Be Costing You Interviews
You’ve written your CV, maybe even sent it to a few places, but you’re getting no response. The problem might not be your experience or your skills. It might be your CV itself.
Here are 10 surprisingly common CV mistakes that could be hurting your chances and how to fix each one of them.
1. Typos, Grammar Errors, and Sloppy Writing
Why it’s a problem:
Nothing screams lack of attention to detail like a CV with spelling mistakes, incorrect grammar, or inconsistent punctuation.
What to do:
Run a spell check. Read it out loud. Ask someone else to proofread it. Grammarly or other writing tools can catch a lot.
2. No Dates (or Confusing Ones)
Why it’s a problem:
Employers want to know when you worked somewhere — not just where. Missing dates make your timeline unclear and raise questions about potential gaps.
What to do:
Include start and end dates for each role — month and year is ideal (e.g. Jan 2021 – Jun 2023). Be honest about gaps, and if relevant, explain them briefly in a cover letter or interview.
3. Inconsistent Formatting
Why it’s a problem:
Different font sizes, bullet point styles, misaligned margins; these things distract from your content and make your CV look unpolished.
What to do:
Pick one clean, professional font. Use consistent headings, bullet points, and spacing throughout. Use bold or italics sparingly for emphasis.
4. Too Long (or Too Short)
Why it’s a problem:
A one-page CV might undersell you, while a four-pager may overwhelm. Hiring managers spend seconds skimming — clarity and relevance win.
What to do:
For most professionals, 1–2 pages is ideal. Focus on your last 5–10 years or most relevant experience. Cut outdated roles and trim fluff.
5. No Clear Structure
Why it’s a problem:
If your CV doesn’t follow a logical order, it’s hard to read — and busy recruiters won’t bother.
What to do:
Use clear sections:
- Profile Summary
- Work Experience
- Education
- Skills
- Certifications (if applicable)
Put the most important info toward the top.
6. No Bullet Points (Just Paragraphs)
Why it’s a problem:
Long chunks of text are hard to skim. Recruiters want fast, digestible info — not essays.
What to do:
Use bullet points to break up job responsibilities and achievements. Start each with a strong action verb (e.g. “Led,” “Developed,” “Improved”).
7. No Contact Info (or Outdated Email)
Why it’s a problem:
If they can’t reach you, you won’t get hired. Obvious, but often overlooked.
What to do:
Include a professional email, phone number, and optionally your LinkedIn or portfolio. Double-check spelling of your contact details.
8. Not Enough Detail on Roles
Why it’s a problem:
Listing just your job titles tells the employer nothing about what you actually did or achieved.
What to do:
For each role, include 3–6 bullet points explaining key responsibilities and accomplishments. Focus on what makes you stand out.
9. No Keywords for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Why it’s a problem:
Many companies use ATS software to scan CVs. If your CV doesn’t match keywords from the job posting, it might never be seen.
What to do:
Study the job description and include relevant terms (e.g. “data analysis,” “budget management,” “Python,” etc.) naturally in your CV.
10. Using a CV Template That’s All Style, No Substance
Why it’s a problem:
Over-designed CVs with excessive graphics or columns might confuse ATS software — or just distract from your experience.
What to do:
Keep design clean and readable. Focus on content. Unless you’re in a visual field (like graphic design), go light on visuals.
If you would like more information or help tailoring your CV contact us!