The most common CV mistakes — and how to avoid them
A small mistake on your CV can cost you a job you would have been perfect for. The good news is that these mistakes are easy to fix once you know what to look for.
When a manager looks at your CV, they only spend a few seconds on it. In those few seconds, a small mistake can make them put your CV down and pick up the next one. That feels unfair, but it is the reality — so it is worth making sure your CV does not have these problems.
Here are the mistakes we see most often, and how to avoid each one.
1. Wrong or missing contact details
This is the worst mistake of all, because it means an employer cannot reach you even if they want to give you the job. A wrong number, an old number, or a missing email means your CV is useless no matter how good the rest of it is.
✅ How to fix it: Check your phone number carefully, digit by digit. Make sure the number you give is one you actually answer. If you have an email address, check the spelling.
2. Spelling and grammar mistakes
Small spelling mistakes make a manager wonder if you will be careless in the job too. It is not fair, but it is what they think. This is especially true for jobs where care and accuracy matter, like handling cash or working with stock.
💡 Good news: Send My CV checks and fixes your spelling for you.
Your CV always comes out looking professional — even if writing is not your strong point. You focus on your experience; we take care of the spelling.
Build my CV free →3. Saying too little about your work
Many people write only their job title, like "Cashier at Shoprite," and stop there. But the job title alone does not tell the manager what you can actually do. They want to know what you did, and how well you did it.
Compare these two:
- "Cashier at Shoprite."
- "Handled cash and card payments, made sure my till always balanced, and helped customers find what they needed."
The second one tells the manager you are careful with money and good with people. The first one tells them nothing.
✅ How to fix it: For each job, say what you did and what you did well. Take your time — the detail is what gets you the interview. Not sure what counts as experience? Read our guide on how to write a CV with no experience.
4. Putting your ID number on your CV
Your ID number does not belong on a CV. It is not needed to decide if you are right for a job, and it puts you at risk if your CV falls into the wrong hands. People can use your ID number to steal your identity.
✅ How to fix it: Leave it off. If an employer genuinely needs it later, you can give it directly to them once you have the job or a real offer.
5. Adding a photo when it is not needed
For most entry-level jobs in South Africa, a photo on your CV is not necessary. It takes up space that could be used for your experience, and it can open the door to being judged on how you look instead of what you can do.
✅ How to fix it: Leave the photo off unless the job specifically asks for one. Let your experience speak for you.
6. A CV that is too long
For most entry-level jobs, one page is enough. A long CV does not make you look more experienced — it makes the manager work harder to find what matters. Only a person with many years of experience needs two pages.
✅ How to fix it: Keep it short and focused. Put your most recent and most relevant work first.
7. A messy or hard-to-read layout
If your CV is cluttered, uses strange fonts, or is hard to follow, a busy manager may simply move on. Many companies also use computer systems to read CVs, and a messy layout can confuse those systems so your CV never reaches a human at all.
💡 Good news: Send My CV lays out your CV in a clean, professional style.
Both managers and computer systems can read it easily, so your CV looks trustworthy from the first glance — and reaches the person who decides.
Start on WhatsApp →8. Being dishonest
Never put something on your CV that is not true — a job you did not do, a qualification you do not have, or skills you cannot back up. It may get you into an interview, but it will be found out, and it can cost you the job and your good name.
✅ How to fix it: Be honest. If you have little experience, show what you have done in life instead — looking after family, helping in your community, or informal work all show real character.
9. Sending the same CV everywhere without checking it
It is fine to use the same CV for similar jobs. But before you send it, take one last look. Make sure your details are still correct, and that the job you are applying for matches what your CV shows.
💡 Good news: you can update your CV on Send My CV anytime, for free.
Just type MENU and tap Edit my CV. Change a detail, add a new job, and send it out again — as many times as you need.
Build my CV free →Notice that most of these mistakes have nothing to do with how much experience you have. They are about care, honesty and clarity. That means anyone can have a good CV — you do not need years of experience to get it right.
Your CV is the first thing an employer sees of you. Make sure it shows you at your best — careful, honest and ready to work.
Build your free CV the right way
Send My CV helps you avoid these mistakes automatically. Build your professional CV in about 10 minutes on WhatsApp — free, no app to download.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common CV mistakes to avoid?
The most common CV mistakes are wrong or missing contact details, spelling and grammar errors, saying too little about your work, putting your ID number on your CV, adding an unnecessary photo, a CV that is too long, a messy or hard-to-read layout, being dishonest, and sending the same CV everywhere without checking it. Most of these have nothing to do with how much experience you have — they are about care, honesty and clarity.
Should I put my ID number on my CV in South Africa?
No. Your ID number does not belong on a CV. It is not needed to decide if you are right for a job, and it puts you at risk of identity theft if your CV falls into the wrong hands. If an employer genuinely needs it, you can give it to them directly once you have the job or a real offer.
Should I put a photo on my CV?
For most entry-level jobs in South Africa, a photo is not necessary. It takes up space that could be used for your experience, and it can lead to being judged on how you look instead of what you can do. Leave the photo off unless the job specifically asks for one.
How long should my CV be?
For most entry-level jobs, one page is enough. A long CV does not make you look more experienced — it makes the manager work harder to find what matters. Only someone with many years of experience needs two pages. Keep it short and focused, with your most recent and most relevant work first.
Do spelling mistakes really matter on a CV?
Yes. Small spelling mistakes make a manager wonder if you will be careless in the job too — especially for jobs where care and accuracy matter, like handling cash or working with stock. Send My CV checks and fixes your spelling for you, so your CV always looks professional.
Give your CV the best chance. Build your free CV now →