5 Common CV Mistakes That’s Disqualifying You From Landing a Job

Employers often spend less than 10 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to read further or move on. This means that even small mistakes or outdated formats can undermine your chances, regardless of how qualified you are.

Unfortunately, many talented candidates unknowingly submit CVs that work against them, silently blocking opportunities and interviews. Here are five key signs that your CV might be harming your job search, and offer practical tips to help you correct them.

In today’s fiercely competitive Nigerian job market, only 1% of applicants reach the interview stage. Data from the Graduate Recruitment Snapshot 2025 reveals a massive screening gap – only 33% meet minimum requirements, and merely 32% of those advance past assessments

1. You’re Not Getting Any Callbacks

If you’ve applied to many jobs and haven’t heard back, not even once, it’s time to look at your CV.

Why this happens:

Your CV may not be ATS-friendly (Applicant Tracking System)

You might be missing the right keywords

Or it simply doesn’t stand out

What to do:

Use the same words in the job ad (especially in the skills section)

Make sure your formatting is simple, avoid tables and images

Start your CV with a strong summary showing your value

2. It Looks the Same for Every Job

If you’re sending the same CV to every company, you’re likely missing out.

Recruiters can spot a “copy-paste” CV in seconds. And if it doesn’t match what they’re looking for, it goes straight into the “No” pile.

What to do:

Customise your CV for each job

Highlight different strengths depending on the role

Tweak your achievements to match the job description

3. The Layout is Hard to Read

A cluttered or outdated CV makes you look careless, even if you’re highly skilled.

Common issues:

Using fancy fonts or too many colours

Cramming everything into one page

No clear structure or section breaks

Solution:

Use a clean font like Arial or Calibri

Break content into sections: Summary, Skills, Work Experience, Education

Keep it 1–2 pages max, depending on your experience

4. Your CV Has Typos or Grammar Errors

Even small mistakes can cost you interviews.

It shows a lack of attention to detail, and employers might wonder if you’ll make similar mistakes on the job.

How to fix it:

Proofread slowly, or ask a friend to help

Use tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Editor

Read it out loud to catch awkward phrasing

5. It Lists Duties, Not Results

Recruiters don’t want a list of things you were responsible for, they want to see what you achieved.

Bad example:

Responsible for customer service.

Better:

Helped increase customer satisfaction ratings by 30% within 6 months by resolving complaints faster.

Use numbers where possible, percentages, amounts, and timelines to show results.

A well-crafted CV is more than a summary of your work history; it’s a strategic marketing tool designed to position you as the ideal candidate. Avoid common pitfalls by tailoring your CV to each role, highlighting measurable achievements, and presenting your experience clearly and professionally.

Source: BusinessElitesAfrica | Continue to Full Story…