You can be a great fit for a job and still have your CV rejected before anyone reads it properly. Usually the reason is one of these mistakes. Check your CV against each of them.
1. An unprofessional email address
An address like prince_2001@… does not look serious. Use firstname.lastname@gmail.com.
2. Spelling and grammar errors
One typo such as "Responsable" can make a recruiter stop reading. Check with a spelling tool or ask someone to proofread.
✨ Put it into practice: build a professional CV for free in minutes
Create your CV3. A CV that is too long
Four pages for a graduate is far too much. Keep it to one page with under 5 years of experience and focus on what is relevant.
4. Duties instead of achievements
"Responsible for customer service" says nothing about how good you were. Write "Maintained a 95% customer satisfaction score" instead.
5. The same CV for every job
Adjust your title, summary and skills to each ad. Five minutes of tailoring makes a big difference.
6. An over-designed layout
Multiple columns, tables, icons and background images confuse applicant tracking systems, so your CV arrives empty or jumbled. Use a single-column layout with real text.
7. Irrelevant personal information
ID numbers, religion, parents' names and casual photos do not belong on a CV. Mention hobbies only if they relate to the job.
8. Unexplained gaps
If you were out of work for a while, say what you did: courses, freelancing or military service. That beats an empty gap.
9. Lying or exaggerating
Claiming fluent English when you are intermediate shows within the first minute of the interview. Be honest and focus on your real strengths.
10. The wrong file name and format
A file called "CV final new (2).docx" looks messy. Send a PDF named after you: Mona_Adel_CV.pdf.
📊 Try it on your CV: get your ATS score and issues in a minute
Check my CV free