5 Most Common CV Mistakes and How to Fix Them

MISTAKE 1

Inconsistent Tenses

What’s the problem: Incorrect or mixed verb tenses when describing responsibilities and achievements

Why is it an issue: Creates confusion about the timeline of events and makes the CV more difficult to quickly read

How to fix it: Check the verb tenses on your CV follow this structure…

For your current role - use simple present tense

For your previous roles - use simple past tense

Having consistent verb tenses in your writing is a grammar technique known as parallel structure. It’s important when writing formal documentation like coding best practices, confluence pages, etc…

You can learn more about it in unit 2 of our eBook.

MISTAKE 2

Too long!

What’s the problem: CVs that are more than 2 pages long

Why is it an issue: On average, recruiters initially look at a CV for 6 seconds! Therefore, they need to see all the important information in a short, concise format.

How to fix it: Follow these guidelines…

For students, graduates, or professionals with less than 5-10 years of experience - create a one-page CV

For professionals with more than 10 years experience, or contractors with various completed projects/roles - create a two page CV

MISTAKE 3

Using Personal Pronouns

What’s the problem: Use of ‘I’, ‘my’ or ‘we’, especially at the beginning of a responsibility bullet point

Why is it an issue: Repetition of pronouns takes up space, sounds more like a short story instead of a bulleted document and can sound boastful

How to fix it: Remove any personal pronouns and use the implied first person. Also be sure to start any bullet points with a strong action verb (see here for a list of action verbs for tech roles) to highlight your skills and achievements.

MISTAKE 4

Adding a photo of yourself (country specific)

What’s the problem: Depending on the country, CVs should / should not include a candidate photo

Why is it an issue: Due to anti-discrimination laws in some countries, a CV might be rejected if it includes a photo

How to fix it: Create duplicate versions of your CV (one with a photo and one without) and carefully research the standards in the country you are applying to before you submit your CV.

Note: If you’re applying to a job in the UK, you shouldn’t include a photo.

MISTAKE 5

Not ATS friendly

What’s the problem: To filter through hundreds of applicants, recruiters use a software called Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan CVs at the initial stages.

Why is it an issue: If your CV is not formatted correctly, it could get instantly rejected and never be seen by the recruiter or hiring manager.

How to fix it: We’ve tried and tested many free online ATS scanners and the best we’ve found is Resume Worded. You can upload your CV and get a score on not only the format but also the content, tailored to the job description of the role you’re applying to.

JOBS BOARD

Remote Roles with Visa Sponsorship

Remote Rocketship has a huge database of work-from-home jobs and non-standard filters that allow you really pinpoint what you’re looking for.

You can filter by things like visa sponsorship, tech stack, minimum salary and even company size (I know that start up vs. large corporation is a polarising topic!)

And if you choose a membership with this site, you can get daily emails to find out about jobs 24 hours before their posted. If you do decide to sign up to the premium version, it would be great if you could support us by using our link 😀

LEARNING TOOLS

Get a 1-to-1 CV consultation on italki

Did you know you can search for teachers who specialise in CV review and interview practice? Find qualified English teachers with backgrounds in your industry, from Law to Marketing to Finance.