UK CV Mistakes That Cost You Interviews (and How to Fix Them)
A recruiter may spend less than a minute on your CV on the first look. That is not much time to make an impression. Most CV problems are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
Mistake 1: It is too long
In the UK, two pages is the standard for most roles. Early careers and many jobs fit on one. Cut older, irrelevant experience and focus on the last 10 to 15 years.
Mistake 2: Duties instead of results
Listing "responsible for customer service" does not show how good you were. Add outcomes: "Resolved 95 per cent of customer queries on first contact" or "Trained six new starters".
Mistake 3: One CV for every job
Match your CV to each advert. Use the same keywords and put the most relevant skills near the top.
Mistake 4: Poor layout
Use a clean format, readable font, clear headings and consistent dates. Avoid dense blocks of text, tiny fonts and decorative graphics.
Mistake 5: Errors
Typos suggest carelessness. Read it aloud, run a spell check and ask someone else to proofread.
Mistake 6: Unnecessary personal details
You do not need a photo, date of birth, marital status or full address on a UK CV. A town and a phone number and email are enough.
Mistake 7: Unexplained gaps
Add a short line for any gap longer than a few months, such as caring, study or travel.
Mistake 8: A weak profile
Replace "hard-working team player" with a short, specific summary of your skills and what you want.
Final check
Save as a PDF unless the employer asks otherwise. Use a clear file name, such as your name and the word CV.
Everyone in this situation feels alone at some point, and you are not. If this helped, share it with someone who is job hunting, and tell us in the comments what has worked for you.
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