The CV Writing Mistakes That Keep Recruiters from Calling You Back

You’ve applied for job after job, but the phone’s not ringing. Sound familiar?

You may be a strong candidate, but if your CV isn't doing you justice, recruiters may be skipping right past you. At Sort My CV, we've reviewed thousands of CVs that undersell great people.

Here's how to avoid being one of them.

1. Weak Personal Statement

A generic intro like “Hardworking professional seeking opportunity to grow” won’t cut it. Your personal statement is the hook. If it's vague or cliché, you’ll lose the reader in seconds.

Action Tip: Write 3–4 punchy lines that explain who you are, what you offer and why you're a fit for the role.

2. Poor Layout or Formatting

If your CV is hard to scan, cluttered, or doesn’t follow ATS-friendly formatting, recruiters won’t give it a second look. You have just 6–8 seconds to grab their attention.

Action Tip: Use clear section headers, bullet points and consistent formatting.

3. Typos and Grammar Errors

It sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many CVs include spelling mistakes, inconsistent fonts or even incorrect job titles.

Action Tip: Run your CV through a tool like Grammarly, or ask a trusted friend (or better yet, a professional CV writer!).

Ready to Stop Being Ignored?

A single mistake can cost you an interview. But a strategic, professionally written CV? That can open doors.

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Final Word

The job market is competitive — your CV shouldn’t just be good, it should be irresistible.

Avoid these mistakes, or let a professional give your CV the boost it needs.