6 Most Common CV Mistakes to Avoid

CV Mistakes

Did you know the average recruiter spends just 7 seconds scanning your CV? That’s all the time you have to make a killer first impression… or get tossed into the “no” pile.

Sadly, most job seekers blow this chance. Simple, avoidable mistakes sneak into their CVs and those blunders can quietly sabotage interview chances, no matter how qualified they are.

But here’s the good news: we’re here to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes.

We’ve compiled the 6 most common CV Mistakes plus simple, powerful tips to fix them fast. No fluff. Just proven advice that helps your CV rise to the top of the pile.

CV Mistakes

1. Writing a List of Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Far and away the most common mistake job seekers make is turning their work experience into a task list. We see it all too often,  we’ve honestly lost count of how many people we’ve come across who have made this error.

When you only describe what your job involved (e.g., “Responsible for recruitment”), it doesn’t tell the employer how well you did it. Without evidence of results, impact, or scope, your CV blends in with everyone else’s and hiring managers move on.

Fix it: Use the Action – Method – Result format for each bullet point. Start with what you did, how you did it, and the outcome (ideally with numbers).Example: “Reduced time-to-hire by 40% by streamlining interview scheduling and introducing structured scorecards.”

2. Using the Same CV for Every Role

Sending the same CV to every job is another common mistake, and is right up there with writing task-based experience in terms of the amount of time and missed opportunities it costs job seekers. It’s such an easy mistake to avoid, but it happens WAY more often than it should.

Generic CVs don’t speak to the specific needs of each role. Even if your experience is relevant, the employer might miss it if you’re not aligning your language and structure to the role.

Fix it: Tailor your profile summary and achievements section for each job. Use the keywords from the job ad, but don’t copy-paste. Stay authentic.

3. Using Overdesigned, ATS-Unfriendly Templates

ATS-Unfriendly Templates

This mistake might not be as common as the first two we’ve outlined, but that doesn’t make it any less harmful. In fact, it could be the most costly out of the six an error that could see you throw away hours of your time and still get zero interviews.

Many free CV templates look great, but break when scanned by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). If the software can’t read your information, your CV may never reach a human.

Fix it: Use a clean, single-column layout with standard fonts and no text boxes or graphics. All templates in our toolkit are 100% ATS-compliant.

4. Leaving Out a Profile Summary

Many job seekers make the mistake of jumping straight into their work history without a profile summary and it costs them dearly. The profile summary is your personal introduction, the first thing recruiters see after your name and contact details. It sets the tone for the rest of your CV and gives the reader a quick snapshot of who you are.

Without it, your CV lacks focus. The recruiter is left guessing what kind of role you're aiming for, what level you're at, or why your experience matters. In a pile of applications, that kind of ambiguity can be a fast track to the rejection stack.

Fix it: Start your CV with a 3 - 4 line profile summary. Mention your profession, years of experience, key strengths, and the type of role you’re targeting. Make it clear, specific, and compelling enough to grab attention instantly.

5. Making Your CV Too Long or Cramming in Everything

There’s a common misconception that the more information you include in your CV, the better your chances. But the truth is, a bloated, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink CV often has the opposite effect. Recruiters don’t have time to sift through five pages of irrelevant detail to find the gems and many won’t bother trying.

An overly long CV signals to employers that you may lack clarity or the ability to prioritise. It also makes it harder for them to spot the most important aspects of your experience, especially when they’re scanning dozens of applications in a day.

Fix it: Your CV should ideally be 2 pages, maximum 3 for senior roles. Focus on your last 10 –15 years of experience. Earlier roles should have fewer bullet points or be summarised in one line. Relevance is more important than volume.

6. Using ChatGPT for Everything and Losing Your Authentic Voice

AI tools like ChatGPT are incredibly helpful when used well, but too many job seekers rely on them to rewrite their entire CVs. The result? A document filled with polished, generic language that doesn’t sound like you or worse, misrepresents your actual experience.

Recruiters can tell when a CV lacks authenticity. If your CV sounds robotic or includes responsibilities and achievements you can't back up in interviews, it damages your credibility.

Fix it: Use ChatGPT to refine your language, not rewrite your story. Write your key achievements based on your real experience, then use prompts to improve clarity, tone, or formatting while staying true to your voice.

Conclusion: Make Your First Impression Count

By now, it should be crystal clear, your CV isn’t just a summary of your work history. It’s your foot in the door, your opening pitch, your one shot to grab a recruiter’s attention… in just 7 seconds.

Each of the mistakes we’ve covered might seem small on their own, but together, they can quietly cost you interview after interview. That’s the harsh reality. But here’s the good news: every single one of them is fixable with the right approach.

The competition out there is fierce. But if you take the time to craft a CV that’s authentic, focused, and strategically written, you’ll get noticed for the right reasons. Need some advice on prepare for your next interview or take a look at out latest Career Advice.

Want to receive access to all our Hi Res Cheat Sheets + free Hiring, Leadership & Career Advice to help you develop your, HR career and life.

Subscribe to On HR's Radar Newsletter https://45639260.hs-sites.com/on-hrs-radar-newsletter-with-martin-hill

6 Most Common CV Mistakes - Cheat Sheet