At Resource Provider Ltd, we speak with hundreds of UK employers every month and we hear the same frustrations time and again. “We’re getting a lot of CVs, but most don’t even make it to the shortlisting stage.”
That’s because while jobseekers are working hard to apply, many are making avoidable mistakes on their CVs mistakes that recruiters spot in seconds. If you’ve ever applied for roles you’re qualified for and heard nothing back, this story is for you.
Meet Aisha
Aisha, a mid-level marketing professional based in Birmingham, came to us after applying for 37 jobs without a single callback. She was convinced the market was too saturated. But after a quick review of her CV, we spotted the issue a cluttered format, a vague personal statement, and job responsibilities listed with no real achievements.
We helped her fix it. Within two weeks, she’d secured three interviews. The only thing that changed? Her CV.
Here’s what recruiters are really noticing when they scan your CV and what you can do to stay out of the reject pile.
1. Spelling Mistakes and Grammar Errors
Recruiters don’t expect perfection, but if your CV has typos, it sends a clear message: lack of attention to detail. It’s one of the quickest ways to be dismissed.
2. A Personal Statement That Says Nothing
“I’m a hardworking individual seeking a dynamic opportunity…” sounds familiar, right? It’s also on thousands of CVs. What makes you different?
3. Bad Layout or Old-School Formatting
If your CV looks like it was made in 2012 or worse, is difficult to read it’s hurting your chances. Recruiters are short on time. Make their job easy.
4. Too Long, or Too Bare
Two pages is the sweet spot. Too long and it feels bloated. Too short and it looks rushed. Aisha’s original CV was five pages long by the time we helped her trim it, it was focused and powerful.
5. Only Listing Duties, Not Results
“Managed campaigns” isn’t enough. What happened because you managed them? Recruiters love numbers. If you saved money, grew traffic, or improved efficiency say so.
6. Ignoring Keywords from the Job Description
With so many companies using ATS software to filter CVs, you need to include the right words. Aisha was applying for digital roles but didn’t once mention “SEO” or “campaign analytics” even though she did them daily.
7. Including Jobs from 15 Years Ago
It’s tempting to include everything, but your early roles aren’t always relevant. Prioritise your last 10 years unless something earlier was truly significant.
8. Gaps with No Context
Career breaks are normal but unexplained time away from work can raise eyebrows. One sentence of clarity can make a big difference.
9. Using One Generic CV for All Roles
This is one of the most common mistakes. Every role is different. A generic CV doesn’t show how you’re right for this job.
10. No Contact Details
You’d be surprised how many CVs come without a phone number or working email. Some even use unprofessional email addresses. Keep it simple and up to date.
Back to Aisha’s Story
Once we restructured her CV and tailored it for each role, the results were immediate. She’s now happily employed at a creative agency in Manchester and credits the shift to something as “basic” as fixing her CV.
Final Thought from Resource Provider Ltd
Your CV is your first impression. If it doesn’t work for you, it works against you. We’ve helped jobseekers across the UK turn their luck around just by making smarter CV choices.
Before applying for your next role, ask yourself: Would I interview me based on this document?
If not, let’s fix it. At Resource Provider Ltd, we’re here to help jobseekers stand out for all the right reasons.