Recruiters often spend less than a minute on a CV before deciding. Small mistakes can make a good candidate look careless, and most of them are easy to fix before you apply.
Mistakes to fix
- Spelling and grammar errors. Read your CV aloud and ask someone else to check it.
- An unprofessional email address. Use your name, for example thandi.nkosi@gmail.com.
- Missing dates. Give the month and year you started and left each job.
- Duties instead of results. Say what you achieved, not only what the job description said.
- Too long. Two pages is enough for most people, one for school leavers.
- The same CV for every job. Change the profile and skills to match each advert.
Personal details
You do not need your full address, marital status, religion or a photo unless the advert asks. Your ID number is usually only needed later, for example on a Z83 form or when you are offered the job.
Formatting
Use one clear font, consistent headings and plenty of white space. Avoid tables, text boxes and graphics that screening software cannot read, and send a PDF so the layout does not move.
Builder tip: The builder’s templates are designed to be read by applicant tracking systems and export a clean PDF, so the formatting problems are handled for you.
Avoid: lying about qualifications or job titles. Employers verify qualifications and references, and false information can lead to dismissal later.