While the CV is the first step towards getting your dream job, common CV mistakes can spoil these chances. We like to think of the CV as a 10-second pitch to your employer! Dozens of applications are posted for each job, and employers would use the resume as a tool for the quick and initial selection of candidates. They won’t spend more than 10 seconds deciding whether to keep your profile or discard it.

In this article, we will go through the most common CV mistakes and explain some practical tips on how to make your CV professional and catchy clearly to increase your chances of being accepted at work.

1. The most common CV mistakes are spelling and grammar errors

Typos and grammar mistakes are the first reason for rejecting a job application, according to recruiters. Studies show that CVs that contain grammatical or grammatical errors are rejected with a high rate of 79%.

We all do typing mistakes however the linguistic errors in the CV give the impression that you are not being professional. Or worse: this sends the message that you rushed to write your CV and share it!

So before submitting your CV, review your resume carefully. It is also better to share with a trusted person who can double-check for any obvious mistakes.

2. Using the wrong CV layout

Two words to keep in mind regard to the CV layout: simple and structured.

You can find online many free CV templates, that you can download and use for free. Select a template where the sections of the CV are clearly defined because the structure makes it easier to read (remember the 10-secondes reading time)

Regarding colours, most recruiters consider using too many colours in your CV as unprofessional. If you are looking for a job in art or design, for example, you can show your creativity through your CV. In all other cases, keep it simple. Just black fonts, on a white background, the same as the lines you are reading now, to add a professional tone to your resume

Do not use more than one type of font on your resume. It is imperative to avoid variance in font size because this implies randomness. Use only 2 fonts: select one font size and type for the main text and another one for the titles.

Rely on a simple and easy-to-read font.

3. Writing a very long CV

A CV is a snapshot of your professional capabilities and achievements, not a biography.

The objective of a CV is to get you through the first barrier and make the employer willing to learn more about your experience. So keep a detailed explanation of your background for the job interview.

Make sure that the length of your resume does not exceed one or two pages at most. Instead of writing long paragraphs, stick to bullet points that start with a verb. For instance “Wrote 5 articles that were published on XYZ blog” or “Managed the coffee shop including customer service and payments for 3 months”

4. Including a non-professional photo

Adding a picture to your CV is optional. It may be useful for customer-facing positions or jobs where a professional look is considered important.

If you decide to add a picture, avoid pictures of gatherings in which you can see that you are not alone, or pictures that show you sipping coffee or drinking a shisha. Keep these for your social media profiles for instance.

For your CV, select a portrait with formal clothes, such as the national card photos, and make sure that the personal photo does not take up a large area of ​​​​the CV

5. Sending the CV using a random email address

You would be surprised to learn that recruiters pay attention to your email address!

Informal addresses such as [email protected] or [email protected] are fun but not adapted for professional life. Sending your application from a random email address will increase the chances of ending up in the Trash bin.

Would you open an email sent from [email protected]? I doubt it.

We recommend that you use an address that has your first name and family name for instance (these are random examples!) [email protected] or  [email protected].

6. Lying about your achievements

You may be tempted to exaggerate your experience or mention a skill you don’t have. This will not benefit you, it’s quite the opposite: if you are selected, you will have the greatest challenges to keep up with the lie, later on, either in the job interviews or while doing the job itself.

Lying will put you in front of many questions that you don’t have the answers to, simply because you weren’t honest.

It is better, to be honest, and focus on your achievements. Describe what you previously provided in the fields of work, studies, hobbies, or daily life projects. The important thing is that you show your understanding of the job requirements and your ability to complete them or quickly learn how to do them.

7. Adding wrong contact details

It is quite an obvious one. Imagine the recruiter would like to offer you the job. But they can’t contact you because the details in your CV are incorrect. That would be very bad, isn’t it?

Only one thing to do here: You provided your current phone number and email address with no errors.

8. Using the same CV for all your applications

Each position has specific needs that must be covered by your resume. This is why adapting your resume to the job you are applying for is essential. When applying, you are expected to showcase that you understood the job requirements and have the capabilities to deliver.

In practice, the recruiter – either themselves or using an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), will go through your resume, and compare it with the job’s requirements. They will check whether your experience and skills match the job description.

To increase your chances, it is better to reword your CV, to match the job description.

9. Leaving unexplained Gaps in your curriculum

Showing a year or more without any professional activity can lead to a negative impression. The recruiter will surely wonder why you have this gap.

Be careful when writing the dates of your previous jobs and arrange them from newest to oldest.

Mention periods of several months (or longer) in which you did not work, and put the reason for it, whether it was study, illness, travel, and so on.

Mentioning these shows confidence and responsibility about your career path, which can only reflect positively on your application.

10. Focusing on duties rather than accomplishments

The recruiter is familiar with the tasks involved in the role. They are not hiring you for these tasks but are interested in knowing your achievements in your previous jobs.

Rather than listing the tasks, you made, focus on the results and achievements. Give numbers where you can.

For example, when you apply for a sales representative job. Whatever you talk about your unique skills in selling, this is not enough evidence for the company to hire you, but if you mention that during your work in the previous company, the company’s sales increased by 10%, this is a fact and proven by numbers, it will undoubtedly make the hiring decision favorable.

11. Filling the skills section with generic skills

Every recruiter knows there are plenty of CV guides on the internet with generic examples. So don’t get trapped using these clichés and generic skills.

Show the recruiter that you are mature enough to know yourself and describe your skills in your style.

Many general skills are important in the professional world, such as time management, leadership, teamwork, communication, and working under pressure and others. But if you include one of these skills qualify them with a personal example. For instance, teamwork can be explained by mentioning that you took part in a collaborative project at work, time management by your capacity to deliver all your tasks on time, etc.

12. Not including interests and hobbies

Many candidates will make these common CV mistakes and disregard the hobbies and interests sections of their CV. However, when used the right way, this section can be a value-add to your application.

Dedicating a section about your interests can complete your profile and show aspects of your personality that are essential for your future job. Hobbies can prove important personal skills in the field of work.

Avoid listing basic hobbies and interests. Rather than simply saying that you like going to the movies you can mention that you like Independent European movies – this shows interest in culture, and being open to other cultures.

Rather than saying that you like playing football, you can add that you play weekly in your neighborhood team (and potentially a specific position). That shows teamwork capacity, endurance, and commitment.

Don’t let common CV mistakes play against you!

Finding a job is a stressful and competitive endeavor. The first steps to achieving your dream start with preparing a professional CV that reflects your capabilities.

Your resume is the flagship of your job search, so don’t let the most common CV mistakes undermine your chances to succeed. Take the time to redo your CV, and don’t hesitate to ask a friend, a teacher, or a colleague for help.

Let your resume tell the recruiters that you are the right choice!