Your CV is your first opportunity to make a strong impression on potential employers. In 2025, hiring managers and recruiters are looking for clear, concise, and relevant CVs that effectively highlight a candidate’s skills and experience. However, many job seekers make mistakes by including unnecessary or outdated information. Here are 10 things you should avoid including in your CV to increase your chances of landing your dream job.
1. Unnecessary Personal Information
In 2025, CVs should be professional and concise. Avoid including details that do not add value to your job application, such as:
- Age or Date of Birth
- Marital Status
- Religion
- Gender (unless specified in the job posting)
- National Identification Numbers
These details are irrelevant and can lead to unconscious bias in the hiring process.
2. An Unprofessional Email Address
Your email address should reflect professionalism. Avoid using funny, informal, or inappropriate email addresses like:
partyking2025@gmail.com
cutebabe_24@yahoo.com
swaglord@outlook.com
Instead, use a simple email format with your name, such as:
✔ john.doe@gmail.com
✔ ade.oluwaseun@yahoo.com
3. A Generic or Vague Career Objective
Many job seekers include overused and generic career objectives that don’t add value. Examples of what to avoid:
“Seeking a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and grow my career.”
“Looking for an opportunity to work in a reputable company.”
✔Instead, craft a specific and tailored summary that aligns with the job you’re applying for.
✔ “A results-driven Digital Marketer with two years of experience in social media management and content strategy. Seeking to leverage analytical skills and creativity to drive engagement and brand awareness at XYZ Company.”
4. Irrelevant Work Experience
If you are applying for a finance role, your past job as a waiter in 2018 is not relevant. Including irrelevant work experience makes your CV longer and distracts recruiters from your key qualifications.
✔ Focus only on jobs related to the position you’re applying for.
5. Outdated or Unnecessary Skills
Hiring managers don’t care about skills that are no longer relevant or too basic in today’s workforce. Avoid listing:
- Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (unless applying for an admin or data role)
- Internet browsing as a skill
- Typing speed (unless required for a specific role)
- Social media (unless you have professional experience managing brands)
Focus on modern and in-demand skills, such as:
✔ Data analysis tools (e.g., Power BI, Google Analytics)
✔ Digital marketing (SEO, Paid Ads)
✔ Coding languages (Python, JavaScript)
✔ UX/UI design
6. References Upon Request
It is no longer necessary to add “References available upon request” at the end of your CV. Recruiters already know they can request references if needed.
Instead, save space and focus on your achievements and skills.
7. Long Paragraphs Instead of Bullet Points
Recruiters spend less than 10 seconds scanning a CV. If your work experience is written in long, unstructured paragraphs, they won’t read it.
Example of what NOT to do:
“At XYZ Company, I was responsible for handling customer complaints, answering inquiries, coordinating with different departments, and ensuring client satisfaction. I also managed daily reports and provided strategic recommendations to improve customer experience.”
✔Use bullet points to make your CV scannable and easy to read:
✔ Handled over 200 customer inquiries weekly, achieving a 95% resolution rate
✔ Coordinated with 5 departments to streamline customer service operations
✔ Developed a new customer feedback system, increasing satisfaction by 20%
8. Lies or Exaggerated Information
Many candidates inflate their CVs by lying about:
- Work experience
- Education qualifications
- Skills (e.g., proficiency in software they have never used)
Recruiters verify details through background checks and LinkedIn. If caught lying, you may be blacklisted by the company and damage your professional reputation.
✔ Always be honest about your skills and experiences.
9. Spelling and Grammatical Errors
A CV with spelling mistakes looks unprofessional and careless. Employers may assume you lack attention to detail.
Common mistakes to avoid:
- “Proffesional experience in marketing.” (Correct: Professional experience in marketing.)
- “I have a strong work ethnics.” (Correct: I have a strong work ethic.)
✔Proofread your CV or use tools like Grammarly before submitting it.
10. Unnecessary Graphics, Fancy Fonts, or Colors
Some job seekers try to over-design their CVs with:
- Bright colors
- Fancy fonts (e.g., Comic Sans, Script fonts)
- Headshots (unless requested)
- Logos and excessive images
These elements distract from the content and make your CV look unprofessional.
Use a clean, professional format with:
- A simple, readable font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- A standard font size (10-12 pt)
- Minimal formatting (bold headings, bullet points
Final Thoughts
A well-crafted CV increases your chances of landing an interview. Avoiding these common mistakes will make your CV stand out in a competitive job market.
- Keep your CV clear, concise, and professional
- Tailor your CV to the specific job role
- Focus on relevant skills and achievements
By following these 10 tips, you’ll create a powerful and modern CV that impresses recruiters in 2025.
