Submitting a copy of your CV is often the first stage of the application process for work experience, placements and graduate roles. To help ensure that yours makes the cut, we have compiled some common CV mistakes below.

1. Poor presentation, spelling and grammar
If your CV looks like a document that nobody wants to read, then chances are employers aren’t going to read it! First impressions are important, so ensure that your CV is presented professionally. Use bold font to make key information stand out and clear headings to organise the content of your CV. Don’t mix different fonts, as that can make your CV look quite messy. Opt for a font style and size that’s comfortable to read (nothing smaller than 10) and resist the temptation to reduce the font size to cram in more content.

While you might think that an employer might forgive you for a few typos, in reality that is not the case! Even one spelling or grammatical error on your CV will usually mean that your application will not be processed any further. Proofread your CV several times before submitting it to employers, and maybe ask a family member or friend to check it for you too. An error-free CV not only evidences your attention to detail, but also shows that you take the application process seriously.

2. Missing information
Always submit your most up-to-date CV.  Rather than waiting to include details about your degree until you have completed this, it’s absolutely fine to list your degree as ‘in progress’ and really helpful – often essential! – to provide some additional information about relevant modules and practical/project work, as well as specialist skills you’re developing as part of your degree. Don’t keep information ‘in reserve’ for a later interview,  and remember to add new experiences, training courses or skills gained promptly to your CV.

3. Underselling yourself
While you may be modest by nature, applications are all about selling yourself and what you can offer to prospective employers, so don’t be shy about your skills and achievements. Use positive and active language, e.g. I effectively resolved customer complaints by using my strong communication and listening skills, and avoid terms like ‘have to’ or ‘required to’, e.g. I had to deal with customer complaints. List (and where relevant, expand on) positions of responsibility and achievements in work or your studies, e.g. being a course rep or team captain; getting promoted to shift or team leader in work; winning an award or scholarship for your academic performance; achieving success with your sports team or as an individual etc. Employers value motivated individuals with leadership potential, so show them any evidence you’ve got!

4. Lack of evidence
Speaking of evidence – you may be a great candidate for a placement or job, but you mightn’t look as great on paper if you can’t back up your skills, experiences and achievements with evidence. Employers can only assess you based on the information you provide. Candidates often try to keep their CV as short as possible – although a concise CV is great, a CV for placement and graduate job applications can be up to 2 sides of A4, so you have enough space to expand and evidence on your skills and relevant experience. If you say you are an excellent communicator, give a few examples that show when, where and how you have demonstrated this skill. (The example CVs in our Careers & Employability Guides illustrate this further.) Can you quantify your achievements or impact? Depending on your example, this could include good marks achieved for your university work, positive online reviews or feedback from customers, praise from your line manager, an increase in sales or social media followers?

5. Not tailoring your CV
One size never really fits all, and CVs are no different. One of the most common reasons for employers to de-select CVs is that they are not tailored to the specific requirements of the position. Even when applying for similar roles, there will still be differences in the skills and experiences individual employers are looking for, and your CV needs to reflect that. You won’t need to write a new CV from scratch every time, but you do need to review the job advert for each role carefully and then tweak the document accordingly. This might involve adding further skills, changing the modules you included for your degree, moving relevant work or voluntary experience to a more prominent position, or expanding on a relevant online course you are taking. Read the job advert carefully and tick off the requirements you have already addressed and evidenced on your CV, as this will help you to identify – and fill – any gaps on your CV. The language you use is also important. Pick out key words from the job advert and the company website and incorporate them into relevant sections of your CV. This will not only show the amount of effort you invested in your application, but also demonstrates that you would be a good fit for both the role and the organisation.