Your CV is one of the most important documents when applying for a new job. It's your chance to make a great first impression and get your foot in the door. But even small mistakes on your CV can lead to rejections.
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A poorly formatted or written CV gives hiring managers the impression you lack attention to detail. And it suggests you don't care enough to put effort into your application. A CV maker free can help you avoid these pitfalls. But you need to know the common CV mistakes to look out for first.
Failing To Tailor Your CV
One of the biggest and most common CV sins is sending out a generic CV to every job. Failing to adapt your CV to each role suggests you lack initiative. And that you haven't taken the time to highlight your most relevant skills and experience.
Hiring managers want to see your CV is tailored. Look at the job description and identify the key skills and requirements. Then adapt your CV to demonstrate how you meet these needs. Use similar language from the job ad in your CV. For example, if the role requires "excellent communication skills", mention instances where you "communicated effectively" in your experience section.
Lack of Achievement Orientation
Your CV should showcase your achievements and accomplishments. Not just describe your responsibilities. Anybody can list tasks from their job description. To stand out, use powerful action verbs to explain your achievements. Quantify your results to demonstrate the impact you made too.
For example, instead of writing "responsible for sales targets", write "implemented lesser known marketing strategies that exceeded sales targets by 10%." This immediately shows your positive impact in measurable terms.
Bad Formatting and Layout
Presentation matters. A messy, cluttered CV is difficult to read and off-putting for hiring managers.
Stick to a clean, consistent layout with clear headings. Use bullet points to organise information neatly. White space between sections also improves readability. Choose a standard font like Arial or Times New Roman, size 10-12.
Spelling and Grammar Errors
Typos or grammar mistakes suggest a lack of care for your application. Always check for errors before submitting your CV. Read over it several times yourself first. Then ask someone else to proofread it too.
Poor writing is one of the fastest ways for your CV to end up in the reject pile. Hiring managers will doubt your abilities if you can't write coherently on your own CV.
Bad Contact Information
Outdated or missing contact details make it impossible for recruiters to get in touch. Double check your phone number, email and mailing address are correct. Also ensure your voicemail greeting is professional if recruiters call you.
Large Chunks of Text
Hiring managers skim CVs looking for relevant details. Big blocks of dense text are difficult to digest. Break up any lengthy paragraphs into readable bullet points.
Keep your sentences short, sharp and scannable on a CV. This ensures key information stands out.
No Clear Career Narrative
Your CV should tell a clear story of your professional progression. Group your experience into sections by company or role type. Then structure each entry in reverse chronological order - starting with your current/most recent position.
This immediately shows hiring managers your career path and advancement over time. Avoid large employment gaps too - briefly explain any period of unemployment e.g. travel, study, etc.
Using Passive Voice
Active voice makes your CV more compelling. For example, "Created social media strategy to attract 20,000 new followers in 12 months". Passive voice removes impact e.g. "Social media strategy was created to attract new followers."
Hiring managers connect better with active CV statements that highlight your capabilities. Passive voice is vague and indirect.
No Clear Hierarchy
Good CV structure establishes a visual hierarchy. Your name and section headers should use larger font or bolding to stand out. Consistent formatting like italics, uppercase, or bullet points also helps direct focus.
Without any highlight emphasis, CVs appear flat and overwhelming. Make your most critical info stick out at a glance.
Generic Hobbies Section
Listing "hobbies and interests" at the end is an old-fashioned CV trope. General hobbies like reading, travel and cooking don't add value. And they waste precious space better used showing your achievements.
However, unique interests related to the role can showcase your passion. For example, programming hobby projects for developer jobs.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Perfecting your CV takes effort but pays off in job search success. Avoiding even minor mistakes makes your application stand out. A free CV maker simplifies the process with pre-built templates and tips.
But be vigilant about checking your CV yourself too. Follow best practices like tailoring content, quantifying achievements and showcasing clear progression. With attention to detail, you can craft a compelling CV that grabs hiring managers’ interest.
