12 CV mistakes that cost you interviews (and how to fix them)
Recruiters rarely reject a CV for one dramatic reason. More often, a few small problems add up until the next CV in the pile looks safer. Here are the mistakes we see most, with a fix for each.
1. Spelling and grammar errors
A single typo can suggest carelessness, especially in roles that involve writing, numbers or detail. Fix: read your CV aloud, use a spell checker in the right language variety (British or American English), and ask someone else to proofread it.
2. An unprofessional e-mail address
"coolguy88@…" undermines everything else on the page. Fix: create a simple address with your name, such as firstname.lastname@….
3. Listing duties instead of results
"Responsible for sales" tells the reader nothing about your performance. Fix: rewrite each bullet as action plus result: "Grew regional sales by 18% in 2025 by opening 12 new retail accounts."
4. One CV for every job
A generic CV is easy to spot. Fix: adapt your summary, the order of your skills and the first bullet of each job to the posting. It takes ten minutes per application.
5. The wrong format for the country
A photo and date of birth help in Doha but can hurt in Toronto or London; a one-page US résumé may look thin to a Gulf employer expecting more detail. Fix: follow the conventions of the country you are applying to. Our country guides explain each one.
6. Too long, or too short
Five pages of every task since school will not be read; half a page suggests you have little to offer. Fix: one to two pages for most people, two to three for senior Gulf profiles, one page for most US applications.
7. Unexplained gaps
Long gaps make recruiters guess, and they often guess wrong. Fix: add one honest line: "Career break: full-time parent, 2022–2024" or "Relocation to Qatar and Arabic course, 2025".
8. Hard-to-read design
Tiny fonts, colours with low contrast, three columns and decorative icons look creative but tire the reader and confuse applicant tracking systems. Fix: clear headings, 10–12 pt body text, generous margins, and important text as text, not images.
9. Vague skills lists
"Microsoft Office, communication, teamwork" says nothing distinctive. Fix: name specific tools and levels ("Excel: pivot tables, Power Query"), and prove soft skills through your achievements instead of listing them.
10. Missing contact details or wrong ones
It happens more than you think: an old phone number, a missing country code, a broken LinkedIn link. Fix: check every contact detail. Include the international code if you apply abroad (+974, +971, +33…).
11. Too much personal information
Passport numbers, religion, salary history, full family details and ID numbers don't belong on a CV, and sharing them puts you at risk of fraud. Fix: include only what the country expects. Even in the Gulf, nationality and visa status are enough.
12. Sending the wrong file
A file called "CV final final 3.docx", an editable file that opens with tracked changes, or a CV with another company's name in the summary. Fix: send a PDF named Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf, and reread the summary before every application.
A final check
Before you press "Send", read your CV as a stranger would, in under a minute. If you can't tell within the first third of the page who this person is and why they fit the job, revise that part first.