Common CV mistakes and how to fix them

The most common CV mistakes are unclear structure, vague duties, spelling and date errors, missing or wrong contact details, and sending the same CV to every job. Each can be fixed with simple edits: clearer headings, specific bullets, a proofread and a version matched to the advert.

Key points

• Most CV problems are about clarity, not talent. They are fixable in an hour.
• Check facts first: contact details, dates, names and spellings.
• Replace vague phrases with what you actually did.
• Make the layout simple and consistent.
• Tailor the top of the CV to each job, and read it on a phone before sending.

What mistakes do people make with contact details?

Contact details look simple, so they get less attention than they deserve. The usual problems are a phone number with a digit wrong, an email address that looks unprofessional, or no town at all.

Fix: Write your name, town, one phone number and one email address at the top. Use an address based on your name. Test the number by calling it from another phone, and check your email by sending yourself a message. Make sure the number is one you will answer, and that your voicemail greeting sounds professional.

What goes wrong with structure and layout?

Common structure mistakes include long paragraphs where bullets would help, a different style for each job, sections in an odd order, and a layout built from boxes and columns that does not hold up on a phone.

Fix: Use a single column with clear headings: Profile, Work experience, Education, Skills. List jobs newest first. Give every job the same pattern: title, employer, town, dates, bullets. Use one font and one size for body text.

Why are vague duties a problem?

A line such as "Responsible for customer service" tells the reader what the job title already says. It does not show what you did or how well.

Vague	Specific
Responsible for stock	Counted stock weekly and reported shortages to the manager
Dealt with customers	Handled customer queries at the counter and referred complaints to the supervisor
Worked in a team	Shared packing duties with four colleagues and covered absent staff on request

Fix: For each bullet, ask "so what?" or "how?" until you have a real action and a detail. Use numbers when you honestly have them, and description when you do not.

What mistakes happen with dates and gaps?

Dates may be missing, inconsistent, or out of order. A gap with no explanation makes a reader guess, and they may guess the worst.

Fix: Use month and year for each job, written the same way every time. List newest to oldest. If you have a gap of several months or more, add one neutral line: "Caring for a family member", "Studying", "Looking for work after the contract ended". The article on explaining an employment gap covers more.

How do spelling and grammar slip through?

Most people cannot see their own errors, because they read what they meant. Typical slips are wrong spellings of employer names, mixed spelling styles (British and American), and inconsistent tense.

Fix: Run a spell check, then read the CV aloud slowly. Read it backwards, one line at a time. Then ask someone else to read it. Pay special attention to names, numbers and the first lines of each section.

What is wrong with sending one CV to every job?

A generic CV makes the reader do the matching work. If your profile and top bullets do not speak to the job, the reader may not see the fit even when it exists.

Fix: Keep a master CV with everything, then make a version for each type of job. Change the profile, the order of bullets and the skills list so the closest match is at the top. Use the advert's own words where they are true. See the article on tailoring your CV.

Is a long CV always a mistake?

Length alone is not the problem. The problem is detail that does not help the reader. A third page of old jobs, school achievements from many years ago and a long list of hobbies often hides the useful parts.

Fix: Cut roles older than about ten to fifteen years or compress them to one line. Merge bullets that say the same thing. Remove duties that every person in the role does. If it still runs onto a third page, ask which lines the reader would miss.

What about design mistakes?

Fancy templates can hide information. Problems include tiny text, low contrast, skill bars, icons that stand for words, photos with distracting backgrounds, and layouts that break when opened on another device.

Fix: Use a plain template with dark text on a white background. Use text, not icons, for contact details. Replace skill bars with a simple list. Open the file on a phone to check it.

What mistakes appear in the profile and skills sections?

A profile made of adjectives such as "motivated, dynamic and passionate" gives no proof. A skills list with every program you have ever touched, or a rating of yourself out of five, gives the reader nothing they can check.

Fix: In the profile, write who you are, what you do and what you want, with at least two facts. In skills, list only those you could use on the first day and that appear in the advert. Leave out skill bars.

What do people do wrong with references and personal details?

Some put in referees without asking, or give contact details that are out of date. Others add ID number, marital status, religion and other details that most employers do not need.

Fix: Ask each referee first, tell them about the job and give them your CV. Leave out personal details that do not help the reader decide, and give sensitive ones only when asked. The article on the South African CV format covers this.

What about honesty mistakes?

Inflating a title, extending a date to hide a gap, or listing a qualification that is not finished can cause serious problems later. Employers may check certificates, contact references or compare your CV with your online profile.

Fix: Write what is true and present it well. If a qualification is incomplete, say so. If a title was different from the work you did, describe the work in the bullets. See the article on lying on a CV.

How do I run a quick check before sending?

Use this list:

1. Phone number and email correct and professional.
2. Dates in order and consistent.
3. Every job has title, employer, town and dates.
4. Bullets are specific.
5. Spelling checked, employer names correct.
6. Profile names the job you are applying for.
7. File named with your name and saved as a PDF.
8. Opened on a phone and readable.

If you can tick all eight, send it with confidence.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest mistake on a CV?

It depends, but the most damaging are errors in facts and contact details, because they stop the reader from reaching you or trusting the CV. After that come vague bullets and a CV that is not matched to the job.

How do I know if my CV has mistakes?

Read it aloud, run a spell check, and ask someone else to review it. Open it on a phone and check the layout. Compare it to the advert and ask whether the top half shows why you fit.

Should I fix a CV I have already sent?

If the error is serious, such as a wrong phone number, send a short corrected version with a polite note. If it is a small slip, fix it for future applications and carry on. Do not send multiple versions unless needed.

Is it a mistake to put a photo on my CV?

Not necessarily. Practice varies by country and employer. In South Africa it is often optional. If you add one, use a clear, neutral photo. If the advert gives an instruction, follow it.

Next steps

Pick the three mistakes from this list that you recognise in your CV and fix them in one sitting. Then run the eight-point check and save a clean copy. If you want a guided way to put this together, you can build your CV step by step with CV Sorted: it is free to build and preview.