7 Common CV Mistakes That Are Costing You the Job (And How to Fix Them!)
Anjli Saxena
PURSUING MBA || FREELANCING || DIGITAL MARKETING || SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING || GRAPHIC DESIGNER || SEO EXPERT || WORDPRESS DEVELOPER || CANVA EXPERT
7 Common CV Mistakes That Are Costing You the Job (And How to Fix Them!)
?? Did you know that recruiters spend an average of just 6 seconds scanning a CV? That means even a tiny mistake could send your application straight to the reject pile. Ouch! ??
If you’re not getting interview calls, your CV might be making these critical mistakes. But don’t worry—I’m here to help you fix them!
? 1. Using a Generic, One-Size-Fits-All CV
?? Mistake: Sending the same CV for every job application.
? Fix: Tailor your CV for each role by highlighting relevant skills and experience. For example, as a marketing student, if you're applying for a content writer position, emphasize your writing skills and experience with content creation tools.
? 2. A Weak or Missing Summary Statement
?? Mistake: Starting your CV with dull, vague statements like “Hardworking individual seeking a challenging role.”
? Fix: Write a powerful professional summary in 2–3 lines. Example:
?? “A creative marketing student with hands-on experience in content creation, digital marketing, and social media management. Eager to contribute innovative ideas and drive brand engagement in a dynamic marketing environment.”
? 3. Too Much or Too Little Information
?? Mistake: Writing a 5-page CV or, on the other extreme, a half-page with hardly any details. ? Fix: Stick to 1–2 pages. Focus on impactful information: ? Use bullet points (no long paragraphs) ? Include quantifiable achievements (Increased social media engagement by 40% during a 3-month internship)
? 4. Ignoring the Power of Keywords
?? Mistake: Writing a CV in fancy language but missing job-relevant keywords.
? Fix: Most companies use ATS software to scan CVs. So, use industry-specific terms. For instance, as a marketing student, keywords like SEO, content marketing, Google Analytics, email campaigns can be essential.
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? 5. Poor Formatting & Cluttered Design
?? Mistake: Using multiple fonts, colors, and confusing layouts.
? Fix: Keep it clean, professional, and readable. ? Use Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman (Size 11–12) ? Keep section headings bold & clear ? Leave enough white space for readability
? 6. Not Showcasing Achievements
?? Mistake: Only listing job responsibilities without achievements.
? Fix: Instead of saying: "Assisted in social media campaigns."
Write: "Managed and optimized a Facebook ad campaign, resulting in a 20% increase in lead generation."
Numbers and specific results speak volumes! ??
? 7. Forgetting to Proofread
?? Mistake: Typos, grammar errors, and incorrect contact details. ??
? Fix: Before sending your CV: ? Proofread it TWICE ? Use Grammarly or QuillBot for error-checking ? Ask a friend to review it
Final Thoughts
Your CV is your first impression—make it count! Avoid these common mistakes, and you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream marketing job. ??
?? Over to you! Have you made any of these CV mistakes? Let me know in the comments!
?? Need a professional CV template? Drop a “YES” below!
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