A CV is your professional introduction. In just a few seconds, it needs to convince a recruiter that you are worth their time and consideration. For most roles, particularly those with a high volume of applicants, a CV is rarely read in full at first glance — instead, it’s scanned for key points. That means clarity, relevance, and structure are paramount. But while many candidates focus on what to include, it’s just as vital to know what to leave out.
One of the most common missteps is overloading your CV with information in the hope of demonstrating experience or personality. This often has the opposite effect, making your application feel unfocused or even unprofessional. Including a photograph, for instance, may seem like a way to personalise your CV, but in the UK it’s generally discouraged. Photos can invite unconscious bias and take attention away from what really matters — your skills and achievements. Unless you’re applying for a role where a headshot is essential, such as modelling or acting, leave it out.
Likewise, your CV is not the place to document personal failures, whether academic, professional, or otherwise. Employers aren’t looking for a list of regrets — they’re looking for evidence of what you can do. Even if you’ve gained valuable insights from a setback, it’s best discussed in person, where context and tone can be explained. A CV should project confidence and capability, not uncertainty.
Outdated job roles can also weigh your CV down. Including part-time or summer jobs from ten years ago is rarely helpful unless those experiences are directly relevant to the role you’re applying for. Hiring managers are far more interested in what you’ve been doing recently — ideally within the last five years — and how that aligns with the requirements of the position. The same applies to irrelevant qualifications or hobbies. A lean, focused CV always has more impact than a cluttered one.
Your writing style also affects how your CV is received. It should be written in the first person, but without the use of pronouns like “I” or “me”. For instance, “Managed a logistics team” is more efficient and professional than “I managed a logistics team.” Referring to yourself in the third person (“he”, “she”) is outdated and risks sounding detached.
When crafting your CV, it’s crucial to focus on relevant, concise information and avoid cluttering it with unnecessary details that could distract recruiters. For those in specific industries like logistics, referring to well-structured truck driver CV examples can be incredibly helpful. These tailored examples offer guidance on how to present your skills clearly and professionally to increase your chances of landing an interview.
Avoid These Common Errors
It’s surprising how many applicants still include references, or even the phrase “References available on request”. This is no longer expected and does little to strengthen your application. Employers will ask for references if and when they need them — there’s no benefit to including them upfront, and doing so wastes valuable space.
Providing reasons for leaving previous jobs is also unwise. These explanations are often misunderstood without proper context and may raise more questions than they answer. It’s far better to keep the focus on what you achieved in each role rather than why you left. Similarly, salary expectations or past earnings have no place on a CV unless specifically requested in the job advertisement — and even then, that information is best placed in a cover letter.
Visual design can also trip people up. While it’s tempting to use bright colours, borders or graphics to stand out, the result is often a CV that’s hard to read — particularly when processed by applicant tracking systems (ATS). These systems are programmed to read simple, clean formats. A visually cluttered CV may not even make it to a human recruiter. Stick to clear structure, uniform fonts, and logical formatting.
Though paper applications are now rare, they do still appear at job fairs and in some traditional industries. In these situations, avoid using plastic wallets or bulky folders. These are usually discarded for practical reasons, such as scanning or copying. A neatly printed CV on good-quality paper is more than sufficient.
Let Your Strengths Shine — and Keep It Focused
The most effective CVs are those that demonstrate strategic editing. Think of your CV not as a storage container for your entire work history, but as a marketing document — one that sells the best, most relevant version of you for the job at hand. It’s not dishonest to leave out irrelevant details — it’s smart. Every word should earn its place.
Recruiters aren’t looking to be dazzled by volume or personal anecdotes. They want evidence that you understand the role, can meet its requirements, and bring value. The moment you include something distracting — be it a poorly chosen design element, an unnecessary personal detail, or a dated role — you risk weakening that message.
In the end, a good CV should do one thing exceptionally well: open the door to an interview. It doesn’t need to tell your whole story. It just needs to tell the right one.