The most common CV mistakes we see (and how to avoid them)

At Technique Recruitment Solutions, we review hundreds of CVs each month for our clients across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Your CV is your first impression for employers, so make sure it counts! Whether you’re a manufacturing operative, engineer, or a chef, the basics remain the same.

Here are the most common mistakes we see, and our tips to help you fix them.

1. Outdated CV

We’re starting with this one because it sounds simple, but we see it all the time.

✅Your CV should list your most recent jobs, skills and experiences. Even if its short term, contract or unpaid. Keep dates consistent and explain any gaps.

Leaving unexplained gaps in your CV can mean you miss out on opportunities.

💡Our top tip:  Set a reminder to update your CV every 6 months, even more if you are actively seeking for a new role. This way, new skills stay fresh in your mind, and it is always ready to go.

2. No personal profile

Your CV is an opportunity to stand out, make the most of it!

✅Add your job title, career goals and achievements that you’re most proud of.

Your achievements can be personal or professional, for example if you have taken a career break or recently undertook some training.

💡Our top tip: Don’t start with ‘I am a hard-working individual…’ as we see this all the time! Approach this section as if it were a short story about you. Hook the reader!

3. Missing or inappropriate contact information

 If you take one thing away from this blog post, let it be this.

A CV is useless without a way to contact you!

✅Add your phone number, email address and general location. You don’t need to include your full postal address if you don’t want to.

💡Our top tip: Make sure the email address you provide is professional – if you still use fluffybunny123@email.com that you created years ago, it’s time to make a new account.

4. Typos and bad layout

✅ Make sure you proofread your CV! Try to keep it as snappy as possible, aiming for 2 sides of A4 (although this isn’t essential).

💡Our top tip: Use spell check and a clean font. Bullet points are good for listing job responsibilities and achievements. Also, ensure you write the CV yourself so you can verbally explain it, too.

5. Generic job and skill descriptions

Your CV should talk to the specific job you are applying for!

✅ It doesn’t need to be completely rewritten for every application, but you should tailor it as much as possible.

💡Our top tip: Use the job advert as your guide. Mirror some of the keywords and phrases they use, and adapt your skills and responsibilities to reflect what they’re  looking for.

6. Irrelevant information

While we love to hear about your hobbies and interests, you should keep your CV focussed to the role you are applying for.

✅ Prioritise relevant skills, experience, and qualifications. You can still include a short interest section, but keep it meaningful.

💡Our top tip: Ask yourself: “Will this help me get the job?” If it doesn’t add value or relate to the role, it’s probably best to leave it out.

Final Thoughts: Keep your CV focused, tailored, and easy to read

Your CV is your personal profile, so give it the attention it deserves.

A strong CV doesn’t need to be complicated, but it does need to be relevant, well-structured, and up to date. Whether you’re applying for your next role now or just getting prepared, avoiding these common mistakes will give you a much better chance of landing that interview.

Is your CV ready? Apply for your next role on our jobs page, or get in touch to discuss how we can help you in your job search.

Thank you for reading,

𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘔𝘢𝘯𝘶𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘧𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘬. 𝘎𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺!