Your CV is often your first impression with a potential employer. Don’t let these common mistakes hold you back.

1. Spelling and Grammar Errors

Nothing screams unprofessional like typos. Proofread multiple times and have someone else review your CV before sending it out.

2. Using a Generic Template

Your CV should reflect your personal brand. While templates can be helpful, customize them to stand out and showcase your unique value.

3. Including Irrelevant Information

Focus on experiences and skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. Your summer job 15 years ago probably doesn’t need to be there.

4. Poor Formatting

A cluttered, hard-to-read CV will likely be tossed aside. Use:

• Clear section headers
• Consistent formatting
• Adequate white space
• Professional fonts (10-12pt)
• Bullet points for easy scanning

5. Lack of Quantifiable Achievements

Instead of “Managed social media accounts,” say “Grew Instagram following by 150% in 6 months, resulting in 40% increase in website traffic.”

6. Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Employers know what a project manager does. They want to know what YOU accomplished in that role and the impact you made.

7. Making It Too Long

Unless you’re very senior with extensive relevant experience, keep your CV to 2 pages maximum. For most professionals, one page is ideal.

8. Including Personal Information

In most countries, you don’t need to include:

• Photo (unless specifically requested)
• Age or date of birth
• Marital status
• Religion or political affiliation

9. Using Passive Language

Strong action verbs make a bigger impact:

• Led, developed, created, implemented, achieved
• NOT: Responsible for, duties included, helped with

10. Not Tailoring for Each Application

Customize your CV for each position. Highlight the skills and experiences most relevant to that specific job posting.

Bonus Tips

• Use a professional email address
• Include links to your portfolio or LinkedIn
• Keep it honest—never lie or exaggerate
• Save and send as a PDF to preserve formatting
• Name your file professionally: “FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf”

The Bottom Line

Your CV is a marketing document. Every word should demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the job. Take the time to craft it carefully, and you’ll see better results from your applications.

Remember: A great CV doesn’t just list what you’ve done—it tells the story of your professional journey and makes employers excited to meet you.