Top Mistakes Students Make on Their CVs (and How to Fix Them)

Your CV is your first impression on recruiters—but many students unknowingly sabotage their chances with simple mistakes. Whether you’re a graduate or part-time job seeker, a poorly written CV can cost you opportunities.

At Easy Textbooks, we offer professional CV revamps in South Africa to help you stand out. In this guide, we’ll highlight the biggest CV mistakes students make and how to fix them.

5 Common CV Mistakes (& Fixes)

1. Spelling & Grammar Errors
🚫 Mistake: Typos make you look careless.
✅ Fix: Use Grammarly or ask a friend to proofread.

2. Too Long or Too Short
🚫 Mistake: A 4-page CV or a half-page CV.
✅ Fix: Keep it 1–2 pages max (graduates: 1 page is ideal).

3. Generic “Duties” Instead of Achievements
🚫 Mistake: “Worked as a cashier at Shoprite.”
✅ Fix: “Increased customer satisfaction by resolving 20+ queries daily.”

4. Unprofessional Email Address
🚫 Mistake: partyanimal@email.com
✅ Fix: Use firstname.lastname@gmail.com

5. No Keywords for ATS
🚫 Mistake: Ignoring job description keywords.
✅ Fix: Mirror phrases like “team leadership” or “data analysis” from the job ad.

How a Professional CV Revamp Helps

If you’re struggling, Easy Textbooks’ CV service can:
✔ Optimize for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
✔ Highlight your skills effectively
✔ Give your CV a clean, modern design

Conclusion

A strong CV opens doors. Avoid these mistakes, and you’ll get more interviews. Need expert help? Try our professional CV revamp in South Africa today!

📄 Get a job-winning CV: Professional CV Revamps South Africa