Top Mistakes Young People Make on Their First CV: Avoid These Common CV Mistakes Students Often Overlook

Writing your first CV can feel overwhelming — what to include, how to format it, and how to make it stand out. For many students and first-time job seekers, it’s their first chance to present themselves professionally. However, small errors can make a big difference between landing an interview or being overlooked.

Recruiters often spend just a few seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to read on. That’s why understanding and avoiding common CV mistakes students make is vital.

This guide breaks down the top errors students make when creating their first CV — and how to fix them to make a strong, lasting impression.

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2. Ignoring the Importance of a Professional Layout

One of the most common CV mistakes students make is underestimating the power of presentation. A cluttered or inconsistent format can make even a strong candidate appear unorganised.

Your CV layout should be:

• Clean, consistent, and easy to read.

• Free from fancy fonts or unnecessary graphics.

• Structured with clear headings (e.g., Education, Work Experience, Skills).

Stick to simple fonts like Arial or Calibri (10–11pt). Use bullet points for clarity and ensure there’s enough white space. Remember — your CV is a reflection of your professionalism.

Read more: How to Write a Job-Winning CV in 2025

3. Writing a Generic Personal Statement

Your personal statement, or career summary, is often the first thing an employer reads. Unfortunately, many students make the mistake of writing vague, overused phrases such as “I’m a hardworking individual who works well in a team.”

To stand out, make your personal statement specific and tailored. Include:

• Who you are (student, graduate, or career starter).

• Your goals or area of interest.

• A few relevant strengths or achievements.

Personalisation is key. Recruiters can immediately spot copy-paste statements — one of the easiest common CV mistakes students can fix.

4. Listing Responsibilities Instead of Achievements

Many first-time job seekers list what they did in previous roles rather than what they accomplished. For example:

❌ “Worked at a café serving customers.”✅ “Served up to 100 customers daily, ensuring high customer satisfaction and efficiency during busy periods.”

Even if your experience is limited to part-time or volunteering roles, focus on impact. Use action verbs like achieved, improved, organised, or supported. Highlighting measurable results instantly strengthens your CV.

Read more: Top Online Training Courses for Job Seekers in the UK: The Best Online Training Courses UK Professionals Should Know

5. Forgetting to Tailor the CV to the Job

Another one of the major common CV mistakes students make is sending the same CV to every employer. Recruiters can tell when an application is generic.

Always customise your CV for the specific role:

• Match the job description’s keywords (skills, tools, responsibilities).

• Emphasise relevant coursework, internships, or extracurricular activities.

• Reorder sections so the most relevant information appears first.

Tailoring your CV shows initiative, effort, and genuine interest — qualities every employer values.

6. Overlooking Grammar and Spelling Errors

It might sound simple, but typos are among the most damaging common CV mistakes students can make. A single spelling error can signal carelessness or lack of attention to detail.

To prevent this:

• Use tools like Grammarly or Microsoft Word’s spell check.

• Print and read your CV aloud — errors are easier to catch on paper.

• Ask a teacher, mentor, or career advisor to review it.

Remember, employers judge your written communication skills by how polished your CV is.

Read more: How Critical Thinking for Career Success Can Transform Your Professional Journey

7. Including Irrelevant or Outdated Information

Many students include too much unnecessary information, such as full addresses, outdated achievements, or irrelevant hobbies. This only distracts from your key strengths.

Avoid including:

• Primary school details.

• Unrelated part-time jobs (unless you can show transferable skills).

• Personal details like age, marital status, or photo (unless requested).

Instead, focus on education, key achievements, and skills aligned with your target role. Simplicity and relevance are essential when avoiding common CV mistakes students often make.

8. Undervaluing Extracurricular and Voluntary Experience

One of the most overlooked sections for students is extracurricular or volunteer work. If you don’t have extensive job experience, highlight these experiences to show initiative, teamwork, and leadership.

Examples include:

• Leading a student society or club.

• Volunteering in a community or charity project.

• Participating in competitions, sports, or creative projects.

These experiences demonstrate transferable skills like organisation, communication, and responsibility — qualities that can impress employers when used correctly.

Read more: Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: The Hidden Skill Employers Value Most

9. Missing Key Skills and Keywords

Modern CVs must be both human- and machine-readable. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan CVs for specific keywords related to the job description. Not including these can mean your CV never reaches a recruiter.

To fix this common CV mistake students make:

• Read the job advert carefully and note repeated words (skills, software, certifications).

• Integrate these naturally into your Key Skills and Experience sections.

• Don’t overstuff — keyword relevance matters more than quantity.

Example: Instead of “Good computer skills,” use “Proficient in MS Office, Canva, and Google Workspace.”

10. Forgetting to Proofread the Contact Section

It’s surprising how often students include outdated or incorrect contact information. A missing digit in your phone number or a casual email address can cost you interview opportunities.

✅ Use a professional email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@gmail.com).✅ Include your LinkedIn profile if it’s up-to-date and professional.✅ Avoid including personal social media unless relevant to your field.

Small details can make a big difference. This is one of those common CV mistakes students that’s easy to avoid yet costly if ignored.

Read more: The Most In-Demand Technical Skills for 2025 Careers

Turn Your First CV into a Winning One

Writing a strong first CV is about showcasing potential rather than experience. Employers understand that students and graduates are just starting out — they’re looking for enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and transferable skills.

By avoiding these common CV mistakes students often make, you can present a confident, professional, and polished version of yourself.

Key takeaways:

• Keep your CV simple, clear, and relevant.

• Focus on achievements, not just responsibilities.

• Tailor your CV for each job and proofread carefully.

• Use extracurricular and voluntary experience to demonstrate value.

A thoughtful CV shows employers that you take your career seriously — and that’s exactly what gets interviews.

✅ Build a Stronger CV with Expert Guidance

At Job Skills Training Association, we help students and young professionals develop winning CVs that get noticed. Our training and mentoring programmes guide you through every step — from writing your first CV to interview preparation and job placement support.

👉 Visit www.jobskillstraining.org.uk to explore our resources and career development programmes.

Start your journey today and turn your first CV into a professional success story.