Your CV isn’t just a piece of paper—it’s your personal marketing tool. In a competitive UK job market, your CV has roughly 6–8 seconds to grab a recruiter’s attention. That means every line counts. At KRN Recruitment, we’ve seen countless qualified candidates lose opportunities because their CVs didn’t make the right impression.
Here’s a detailed look at the top 5 CV mistakes we see again and again—plus expert guidance on how to fix each one.
1. Generic Objective Statements
What’s wrong:
Candidates often open with a broad statement like:
“To obtain a challenging position in a dynamic company where I can grow professionally.”
While it sounds positive, it doesn’t say who you are, what you specialize in, or what value you bring.
How to fix it:
Write a targeted personal profile that shows your strengths, industry, and goals—tailored to each job you apply for.
Bad example:
“To gain employment in a progressive company.”
Better example:
“Detail-oriented logistics coordinator with 5+ years of experience managing supply chains and improving delivery times by 20% in the manufacturing sector. Looking to contribute efficiency and innovation to a fast-paced distribution company.”
Bonus tip:
Customize this section for each role. Use the employer’s name or job title if possible. It shows effort and relevance.
2. Typos and Grammar Errors
What’s wrong:
Imagine sending a CV that says you’re “exellent at attention to detials.” A simple typo can ruin your first impression—especially in roles that require communication, admin, or client service.
How to fix it:
Use tools like Grammarly or Hemingway App to catch errors.
Ask someone else to proofread your CV.
Print your CV and read it out loud to catch mistakes.
Bonus tip:
Avoid jargon unless you’re applying to a specialized role. Keep your language clean and professional.
3. Irrelevant Job Experience
What’s wrong:
Some CVs list every job ever held—even unrelated roles. While experience is important, relevance is key.
How to fix it:
Focus on roles from the past 5–10 years that are either:
Directly relevant to the position
Demonstrate transferable skills like teamwork, leadership, or communication
Example:
If you’re applying for a customer service role, highlight how your retail job helped you handle customer complaints and improved satisfaction scores.
Bonus tip:
Include volunteer work, freelance gigs, or internships if they show applicable skills—even unpaid experience counts if it’s relevant.
4. Too Much or Too Little Detail
What’s wrong:
One-liners like “Handled customer calls” don’t show your impact. On the other hand, a full paragraph per role can overwhelm recruiters.
How to fix it:
Use bullet points (4–6 per role), and start each one with action verbs like managed, implemented, led, designed, or resolved.
Weak example:
“Worked in a warehouse.”
Strong example:
“Coordinated weekly shipments of over 3,000 products with 98% on-time delivery, reducing delays by 15% year-over-year.”
Bonus tip:
Quantify wherever possible. Numbers stand out and demonstrate your contribution.
5. Missing Keywords
What’s wrong:
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs. If your CV doesn’t contain keywords from the job post, it may never reach a recruiter.
How to fix it:
Carefully read the job description.
Pull out key skills, tools, certifications, and phrases.
Use them naturally in your experience and skills sections.
Example:
If a job asks for “CRM experience, client retention, and B2B sales,” include those terms—if they reflect your actual experience.
Bonus tip:
Use a “Skills” section to list keywords clearly. For example:
Skills: Microsoft Excel, Salesforce CRM, KPI Reporting, B2B Sales, Cold Calling
Final Thoughts
Recruiters aren’t looking for perfection—they’re looking for clarity, relevance, and potential. By avoiding these five CV mistakes, you stand a much better chance of catching the eye of hiring managers and getting invited to interviews.
At KRN Recruitment, we help job seekers like you find the right roles faster. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take the next step in your career, our platform connects you with trusted employers across the UK.
Need help with your CV?
Upload your profile at KRNRecruitment.com and take the first step toward your new job.
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