Crafting the perfect CV can be daunting, especially with the competition in the UK job market. Avoiding common errors could be the key to landing your dream role. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the pitfalls you should avoid and how to address them.
Jump to:
- Overcomplicating your CV design
- Typos and grammar errors
- Listing irrelevant information
- Neglecting to tailor your CV
- Mistakes in listing skills
- Failing to address career gaps
- Outdated information
- Avoiding cliches and overused phrases
- Including inconsistent or incorrect contact details
- Overloading your CV with information
- Conclusion
Overcomplicating your CV design
An over-designed CV might grab attention but can confuse both recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Here’s how you can simplify it:
Opt for a clean, ATS-friendly layout.
Use professional fonts like Arial or Calibri.
Limit colours to one or two for subtle accents.
A pro tip: avoid using text boxes or excessive graphics, as these can disrupt ATS scanning.
Typos and grammar errors
Even a single typo can ruin a recruiter’s perception of your attention to detail.
Here are the quick fixes:
Use proofreading tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Word’s spellcheck.
Read your CV aloud to catch awkward phrasing.
Get a second pair of eyes to review it.
Remember, accuracy speaks volumes about professionalism.
Listing irrelevant information
Employers care about how your skills align with their needs, not every job you’ve ever had.
Solution: focus on experiences that highlight relevant skills. For instance, if applying for a marketing role, prioritise your marketing internship over a part-time waitressing job.
Ask yourself: does this detail add value to my application? If not, leave it out.
Neglecting to tailor your CV
A generic CV is easy to spot and often overlooked.
Fix it by:
- Including keywords from the job description. For example, if the role emphasises “data analysis,” highlight your experience with tools like Excel or Python.
- Customising your personal statement to show alignment with the company’s values.
Specificity wins over generality.
Mistakes in listing skills
Overloading the “Skills” section or leaving it vague can dilute your CV’s impact.
Common errors:
- Listing generic phrases like “team player” without examples.
- Overloading technical jargon without explaining their relevance.
Fix it like this:
- Instead of “Excellent communicator,” write, “Presented monthly performance reports to teams of 15, resulting in a 10% productivity increase.”
- Highlight skills sought in the job ad to match employer needs.
Failing to address career gaps
Career breaks, whether for family reasons or education, can leave recruiters questioning your commitment or availability.
How to tackle it:
- Be upfront and brief. Example: “2019-2020: Took a career break to pursue additional training in digital marketing.”
- Focus on transferable skills gained during the gap, such as time management or self-discipline.
Outdated information
Including irrelevant or dated details, such as GCSE grades or hobbies, can clutter your CV.
The fix:
Remove anything older than 10 years unless highly relevant. Replace it with recent courses, achievements, or volunteer work.
Avoiding clichés and overused phrases
Phrases like “hardworking individual” or “detail-oriented professional” add little value.
How to improve:
Including inconsistent or incorrect contact details
Errors in this section can make you unreachable.
Checklist:
Ensure your phone number and email are correct.
Use a professional email address (e.g., [email protected])
Add a LinkedIn profile link, but only if it’s updated.
Overloading your CV with information
Recruiters spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a CV, so brevity is key.
Solution:
Join the ivee community!
Join our Facebook group. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with like-minded returners, seek advice on returning to work after maternity leave, or share your experiences, our Facebook community is here to help you navigate your journey back into the workforce.
You’ll find:
👉 Latest regulatory changes regarding maternity leave
👉 CV templates for women returning to work
👉 Latest industry updates
👉 Resources and guides to help you on your job hunt
👉 Confidence-building events, webinars and advice on all aspects of returning to work
Our Facebook community
Conclusion
By addressing these common CV mistakes, you can ensure your application stands out for all the right reasons. Follow these tips, and you’ll be one step closer to your next opportunity!
Ready to find flexible work?
Create an ivee profile and start browsing our flexible jobs today!
Create profile!Featured Blog Posts
