The 8 most common cv mistakes and how to avoid them

1. The 8 Most Common CV Mistakes
and How to Avoid Them
By: vacancies.ae

2. 1. Irrelevant work experiences
The petrol station shift, the tills at the
supermarket and the warehouse job over the
summer were all great life shaping experiences,
but there’s no room for them on your CV. Keep
any experiences you include current and
relevant to the job and person specification
you’re applying for.

3. 2. Don’t get personal
Remove any details like religious references,
marital status, and age. You are not required to
include these on your CV. Remove any reference
to your current and past salaries as well as older
qualifications such as GCSE’s.

4. 3. Lies!
Embellishing your achievements on your CV is
never a good idea. Pretending you are the CEO
of a company, setting up a charity or going to
one of the UK’s top universities that don’t
exist won’t do you any favours. Stick to the facts
and focus on your main achievements and
accomplishments rather than the made up ones.

5. 4. Inconsistent formatting
Switching between one and two columns,
different size and outdated styles of fonts make
an unpleasant read for the hiring manager’s eye.
Choose a style and stick with it. Break your CV
up with clear headings and bullet points.

6. 5. Less than professional email address
How would you feel about reading the CV of
someone with the email address
Clubmonster@gmail.com or
beerforbreakfast@hotmail.com? Amusing as it
is, it doesn’t convey a professional image. Keep
your private life separate when it comes to email
addresses.

7. 6. Photo bomb
Unless you’ve specifically been asked to provide
one don’t take up valuable space on your CV
with a photo. Include a link to your LinkedIn
profile which will already have a more detailed
background into your skills and abilities as well
as your professional head and shoulder shot.

8. 7. Poor grammar
There’s no excuse for spelling mistakes and bad
grammar. Proof read your CV, once for spelling
mistakes, once for grammar and then read it
backwards to pick up any final mistakes. If
you’re unsure have a friend or colleague check
through it for you.

9. 8. Hobbies
Like spending time with your friends and
family…who doesn’t? If your hobbies are
relevant to the company you're applying to they
could help you get an interview, but its
preferable to include any examples of volunteer
or charity work.
You have limited space, so use it wisely!

10. References
• https://uk.hudson.com/job-seekers/career-
advice/cv-advice/the-8-most-common-cv-
mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them
• https://www.vacancies.ae/
• https://www.vacancies.ae/jobs/jobs-in-dubai
• https://www.vacancies.ae/jobs/jobs-in-
abudhabi
• https://www.vacancies.ae/jobs/jobs-in-sharjah
• https://www.vacancies.ae/jobs/jobs-in-ajman