Even qualified candidates lose opportunities because of preventable resume mistakes. Here are the 10 most common CV errors — and how to fix them.

1. Typos and Grammar Errors

This is the #1 resume killer. A single typo signals carelessness. 58% of recruiters say they would immediately reject a resume with spelling mistakes.

Fix: Read your resume backwards (forces your brain to read each word individually). Use a spell checker, then have someone else review it.

2. Using a Generic Resume for Every Application

Sending the same resume to every job tells recruiters you didn't bother reading their posting.

Fix: Tailor your professional summary and skills section for each application. Mirror the job description's language.

3. Including an Objective Statement Instead of a Summary

"Seeking a challenging position where I can utilise my skills" tells the employer nothing about your value.

Fix: Replace with a professional summary that highlights your experience, key skills, and a quantified achievement.

4. Poor Formatting and Layout

Inconsistent fonts, misaligned bullet points, and cramped text make your resume hard to read and look unprofessional.

Fix: Use a professionally designed template. Maintain consistent spacing, font sizes, and alignment throughout.

5. Including Irrelevant Information

Your high school part-time job at a café doesn't belong on your resume when you have 5 years of professional experience.

Fix: Only include experience relevant to the role you're targeting. If it doesn't strengthen your candidacy, remove it.

6. Not Quantifying Achievements

"Improved sales performance" is vague. "Increased quarterly sales by 35%, generating $450K in new revenue" is compelling.

Fix: Add numbers to at least 50% of your bullet points. Think about: revenue, percentages, team sizes, timelines, user counts.

7. Making It Too Long

Unless you have 15+ years of relevant experience, your resume should not exceed 2 pages. Most should be 1 page.

Fix: Cut ruthlessly. Remove outdated skills, irrelevant roles, and filler content. Every line should earn its place.

8. Using an Unprofessional Email Address

gamerguy99@email.com or cutiepie2000@email.com immediately undermines your credibility.

Fix: Use a simple format: firstname.lastname@gmail.com. It takes 30 seconds to create.

9. Listing Duties Instead of Achievements

"Responsible for managing client accounts" describes what you were supposed to do, not what you accomplished.

Fix: Use the formula: Action verb + task + result. "Managed 15 client accounts totalling $2M in annual revenue, achieving a 95% retention rate."

10. Ignoring ATS Compatibility

Fancy designs with tables, text boxes, and graphics might look great on screen but get mangled by ATS software.

Fix: Use ATS-friendly templates with clean formatting, standard fonts, and conventional section headings.

Quick Self-Check

Before submitting your resume, verify:

No spelling or grammar errors
Tailored summary for this specific role
At least 50% of bullet points include numbers
Consistent formatting throughout
1-2 pages maximum
Professional email address
Saved as PDF

Key Takeaway

Most resume mistakes are easily preventable. Take 10 minutes to run through this checklist before every submission. The small effort compounds into significantly more interviews.

Common CV Mistakes That Cost You Interviews