03 Jun 2025 5 CV Mistakes That Scream ‘Don’t Hire Me’

…and how to fix them before you hit ‘send’

Applying for a job is humbling. It’s even sadder when you apply and don’t get any call backs from hiring managers. Today, I want to show you how you can improve your chances of getting a call back because sometimes, you can be the one holding your growth back. 

So you’ve polished your CVand hit submit. In a job market this competitive, especially across Africa, where talent is booming but opportunities can feel scarce, your CV has to do more than look nice. It needs to work really hard. And unfortunately, even a small misstep can turn off a recruiter in seconds.

But don’t panic. I’ve done the digging, studied the expert takes, and gathered the top five CV mistakes that could be costing you interviews—plus exactly how to fix them. Ready? Let’s get your CV recruiter-ready.

1. The Generic, One-Size-Fits-All CV

The Mistake: Sending the same generic CV to every job. It’s like showing up to every event—wedding, gym, job interview, in the same outfit. It doesn’t work. If your CV doesn’t match the role, it screams “I didn’t bother researching this company.”

A vague CV that doesn’t match the job description shows you haven’t done your homework, and recruiters notice.  In fact, a 2022 piece from Top Universities highlighted that employers want tailored applications that show genuine interest and alignment. 

How to Stand Out: Tailor, tailor, tailor!

Customize. Every. Single. Application. Use the keywords from the job description—mirror their language. Align your experience with what the recruiters want to see. Highlight relevant achievements. 

For example, instead of saying “I’m analytical,” say “Analyzed customer data to increase sales by 15%.”. If the company values innovation, talk about a time you introduced a new idea or system.

Tailoring takes a bit of effort, but it makes all the difference between blending in and getting called in.

2. A Cluttered, Messy Design

Picture this: a recruiter skims your CV for seven seconds (yep, that’s the average, according to research from The Ladders) and can’t find what they need because it’s a chaotic wall of text. Cluttered designs—think tiny fonts, zero white space, or over-the-top graphics—scream unprofessional. 

Overloading your CV with colors or funky layouts might also trip up Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many companies use to filter applications

How to Stand Out: Embrace clarity and clean aesthetics.

Keep it clean and scannable. Use standard fonts like Arial or Times New Roman (10–12 pt), 2.5 cm margins, and plenty of white space to guide the eye. Break sections with clear headings (e.g., Work Experience, Skills) and use bullet points for readability. If you’re in a creative field, save the flair for your portfolio, not your CV.

Unless you’re in a highly creative field where a visual portfolio is expected (and even then, use sparingly), avoid excessive graphics, logos, or photos (more on photos next!).

As Capital Placement put it in 2024: “A clutter-free, one-page CV ensures (recruiters) grasp the essentials without wading through unnecessary details.”

3. The “To Include or Not to Include a Photo?” Dilemma

The Mistake: Adding a photo to your CV when it’s not necessary, or appropriate. In many African countries, it’s now common to include a headshot on your CV but this is wrong. If you’re applying internationally, or to a global company, this could hurt your chances of working in a global company.

Photos take up valuable space, may cause unconscious bias, and are even considered unprofessional in many regions (like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia).

 JobTatkal points out that photos can “clutter your CV, taking up unnecessary space” and even introduce unconscious bias. In the U.S., it’s a flat-out no-no, because it can lead to discrimination. Unless you’re applying for a modeling gig, it’s usually best to skip it.

How to Stand Out: When in doubt, leave it out.

Always research the customary practices for CVs in the region where you are applying. Let your qualifications, experience, and achievements speak for themselves. Your professional profile, work history, and skills sections are where you truly make an impression.

Instead of a photo on your CV, ensure your LinkedIn profile is professional and up-to-date, as recruiters will likely look for it. You can include a link to your LinkedIn profile in your contact details.

4. The “Responsibilities Only” Syndrome

The Mistake: If your CV reads like a copy-paste from your old job description like “Managed a team,” “Handled customer inquiries,” it’s not enough. Recruiters want to know what you achieved, not just what you were expected to do. 

Listing responsibilities tells a recruiter what you did, but it doesn’t tell them how well you did it, or the value you brought to the organization. It’s passive and doesn’t showcase your capabilities or problem-solving skills. Recruiters want to see your impact [Source: Radar Recruitment].

How to Stand Out: Use the Show, Don’t Tell rule. 

Start each bullet point with a strong action verb and back it up with numbers and results. (e.g., “Led,” “Developed,” “Implemented,” “Achieved,” “Streamlined,” “Generated”) [Source: Zety].

Also, quantify everything possible that you can. How many? How much? By what percentage? Over what period? Use numbers to illustrate your achievements.

• Instead of: “Managed customer inquiries.”
• Try: “Resolved an average of 50+ customer inquiries daily, improving customer satisfaction scores by 15%.”

Lastly, focus on the results you have made. Think about the positive outcomes of your work. Did you save money, increase efficiency, improve processes, or boost revenue? Highlight these results. Recruiters love impact, not just activity.

5. The Unexplained Gaps and Typos

The Mistake: Spelling mistakes. Formatting issues. Unexplained employment gaps. Unprofessional email addresses (hello, partygirl1997@email.com).

This one’s simple: Sloppy CVs suggest sloppy work. And when competition is fierce, even a small typo can get you disqualified. Top CV calls spelling mistakes the “cardinal sin” of CV errors, and recruiters agree it shows a lack of attention to detail.

“Unexplained gaps raise red flags and can make recruiters assume the worst,” said Radar Recruitment. Spelling and grammar mistakes, even minor ones, signal a lack of attention to detail, professionalism, and care – qualities no employer wants to see in a potential hire.

How to Stand Out: Be transparent and meticulous.

If you have employment gaps, explain them briefly and positively. Whether it was for further education, personal growth, travel, or family responsibilities, frame it constructively. For example: “Career break for personal development and volunteer work (2023-2024).”

Next, proofread aggressively. This is non-negotiable.

• Read your CV multiple times.
• Read it backward to catch typos.
• Use spell-check and grammar tools (like Grammarly).
• Crucially, ask at least two other people to proofread it for you. Fresh eyes catch mistakes you’ve become blind to.

Ensure your contact information is professional, including your email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com, not partyanimal2025@email.com). 

Your Quick CV Checklist 

Before you hit “send” on that next application, run through this quick checklist:

• Contact Details: Name, professional email, phone number, LinkedIn profile link (and portfolio if applicable).
• Tailored Personal Statement: A concise summary highlighting relevant skills and achievements for this specific job.
• Quantified Achievements: Does every work experience bullet point show impact with numbers?
• Clean Design: Is there enough white space? Are fonts professional and consistent? Is it easy to read?
• No Photo (unless explicitly requested): Have you removed your headshot?
• Error-Free: Have you proofread it multiple times, and has someone else reviewed it?
• Relevant Information Only: Is all content directly relevant to the job you’re applying for?
• Concise Length: Is it ideally 1-2 pages (for most roles)?

Your CV is more than a list of jobs, it’s your personal pitch. It tells a recruiter: This is what I’ve done, and here’s what I can do for you. Every word should earn its place.

Avoiding these common mistakes isn’t about perfection, it’s about being intentional. Be clear. Be honest. Be compelling. So go ahead—revise, refine, and hit send with confidence. Your next opportunity could be one perfect CV away. 

Till I write again, 

I remain your humble “Bella” from AltSchool Africa.