5 CV Mistakes Recruiters Wish You’d Stop Making (and How to Fix Them)

I eat CVs for breakfast. And yes, rejecting bad ones really is part of my KPIs.

I don’t claim to know everything… but recruitment? I know this game inside out. And trust me, I’ve seen enough CVs to prove it.

I do this job every single day. I see CVs morning, noon, and night. And at least 3–5 times a week, I’m faced with the same mistakes that make me want to bang my head on the desk. Pre-AI, these slip-ups were less common. Now? They’re everywhere.

And let me be clear: this isn’t another generic “CV advice” blog. I’m giving it to you straight because, from a recruiter’s perspective, I’ve had enough. Consider this your inside warning.

This isn’t just a rant. It’s insight from an internal and external recruitment specialist who’s seen it all. If you’re applying for jobs and not hearing back, chances are you’re guilty of one (or more) of these.

1. AI Gone Wrong

AI is everywhere now, and sure, it can save time. But too many people copy and paste whatever comes out and call it a day. I’ve seen CVs that literally say:

• [Insert First Name]

• [Insert Year of Employment]

• [Insert Job Title]

Immediate rejection. If you can’t be bothered to check your own name is on your CV, why would an employer trust you with their work?

Fix it: Use AI for a draft, not the finished product. Edit it, add your personality, and for the love of all things recruitment, make sure your name is on it.

2. Buzzword Overload

“Dynamic. Hard-working. Passionate. Driven.”Cool. So is everyone else. If I had a pound for every CV stuffed with buzzwords and no evidence, I’d retire early. Hiring managers don’t want fluff; they want proof.

Fix it: Show, don’t tell. Swap “excellent communicator” for something like: “Delivered presentations to 200+ stakeholders which led to a 15% increase in project adoption.” Much stronger.

3. Formatting Chaos

Your CV should not feel like a dissertation. I’ve seen four pages of text in six different fonts, bolded at random, and yes — even different colours. Two to three pages max is fine. Ten pages? That’s overboard. And yes, I’ve seen this too. Don’t be that person.

Fix it: Keep it clean and simple. Stick to 2–3 pages (unless you’re at C-suite level), use clear headings, bullet points, and white space. If I can’t scan it in 10–15 seconds, it’s already gone.

4. Ghost Years (Unexplained Gaps)

We all take time out - for travel, family, health, whatever. But leaving big blank spaces with no explanation? That just makes me wonder what you’re hiding.

Fix it: Be upfront. Even a short line works: “2022–2023: Career break to care for family.” Honesty always beats suspicion. Don’t let me (or the hiring manager) fill in the blanks for you.

5. The One-Size-Fits-All CV

Sending the same CV to every job is like sending the same Valentine’s card to five different people. We notice. And it’s awkward.

Fix it: Tailor your CV. Adjust your summary and top bullet points to match the role you’re applying for. It takes 10 minutes and massively boosts your chances. Don’t be lazy with this one - it shows.

Final Word from a Recruiter

Look, a great CV doesn’t guarantee you the job. But a bad CV? That pretty much guarantees rejection.

If you’ve been applying non-stop and hearing nothing back, it’s not always the market. Sometimes, it’s your CV. And trust me, I know - I’ve recruited for both in-house teams and external clients across industries. I know exactly what gets noticed and what gets binned.

That’s where I can help. At Tumbaknows, I offer CV reviews and rewrites that make sure you’re remembered for the right reasons - not the wrong ones.

👉 Don’t let small errors cost you big opportunities. Check out my services here.