Top 10 CV/Resume Mistakes to Avoid in 2025
Learn More You may not know it, but we all make mistakes with our CV/Resume.
1. Introduction:
Your CV or resume is not just a list of your experiences, but your first impression. 6 seconds: The average time a recruiter spends looking at a resume Reads: Recruiters spend 5 to 7 seconds looking at a resume. Now that we’re in 2025, though, hiring managers are leaning even more than before on AI-equipped ATS (applicant tracking systems), more rigorous screening, and updated formatting standards.
That means even little CV slip-ups can lose you big opportunities. Whether you are just out of school and looking for your first job, or changing fields or reaching for a senior role, you want an error-free resume that helps you land an interview. Learn more about how we help job seekers succeed.
So what are the top 10 mistakes or feedback on your cv/resume in 2025? Avoiding these pitfalls can help you differentiate yourself from other applicants and dramatically improve your chances of finding a job. Whether you’re looking for jobs in Pakistan, the UK, or the USA, these tips are essential for success in today’s competitive market.
2. Using Outdated Resume Formats
One of the most basic errors is to rely on old resume templates that you have been using for years. And a dense paragraphs-on-paragraphs resume with generic objectives and no clear structure looks unprofessional in 2025.
Why This Is a Mistake:
Recruiters anticipate that your resumes in this day and age will be modern and ATS friendly with clean layouts.
Old formats commonly feature superfluous sections, such as “References available upon request,” that are no longer necessary.
A busy layout means hiring managers won’t be able to easily find what they need to know.
What To Do Instead:
You should be using a current resume format which includes:
A powerful professional summary (or profile) instead of an old-fashioned objective.
Clear, short bullet points for each role.
Consistent fonts and spacing.
The right keywords that pass ATS scans.
3. Ignoring Keywords for ATS
By 2025, up to 90% of large enterprises and many mid-market firms will rely on an ATS to streamline the hiring process by filtering resumes long before a human recruiter is allowed to see the results. Your CV might not be seen if you don’t have the right keywords.
Why This Is a Mistake:
Minus keywords, your resume gets slugged as “unqualified” by ATS systems.
Even if you are highly skilled, your bid may be automatically rejected.
What To Do Instead:
Carefully read the job description and note common words that are used multiple times (like “data analysis,” “project management,” “customer engagement”).
Of course, you naturally want these keywords to end up in your skills section, job experience bullet points, and summary.
Don’t try so hard to fit in keywords—let your sentences sound like sentences.
4. Typos and Grammatical Errors
That sounds basic, but surprisingly often job seekers send out a resume with spelling errors, poor grammar, or inconsistent style. In 2025, when the competition is tough, you can be disqualified on the spot for such slips.
Why This Is a Mistake:
That’s a lack of attention to detail that sends a red flag to employers.
Mistakes give people a bad impression of your professionalism.
Mistakes can end up ruining your credibility in fields such as marketing, administration, and even teaching.
What To Do Instead:
Proofread your resume multiple times.
Utilise writing tools such as Grammarly or get a friend to proof your document.
Maintain consistent formatting — same bullet style, font size, and alignment throughout.
5. Going Too Long or Too Short
The length of your CV is important. Hiring managers in 2025 want short, but sweet, resumes. Sending a one-page resume with nothing on it, or a six-page resume filled with irrelevant information, will hurt your prospects.”
Why This Is a Mistake:
Too Short = You’re like an inexperienced boy.
Too long = Recruiters won’t read it.
What To Do Instead:
Stick to 1—2 pages, based on your experience.
Include only work experience that is relevant to the position for which you are applying.
Use bullet-points with quantifiable accomplishments (i.e. “Grew sales by 30% in 6 months”).
Sending Out the Same Resume to Aren’t we all? #strongertogetherB icon and corporate, nonprofit and government leadersB across standards for domestic violence and abuse work It was also awarded because eight days ago, the world changed.
One of the most common CV faux pas is submitting the same CV to more than one employer. In 2025, employers expect personalization.
Why This Is a Mistake:
It doesn’t take long for recruiters to see that your CV is generic.
One size doesn’t fit all One of the things you miss out on with a general resume is not featuring the skills tailored to the advertised position.
It lowers your odds of distinguishing yourself from other applicants.
What To Do Instead:
Personalise your CV for every application.
Tailor your professional summary, skills, and key achievements to fit the role.
Demonstrate that you’ve made the effort to learn about the company and what they’re looking for.
6. Highlighting Duties Instead of Achievements
It’s common for job seekers to instead list responsibilities instead of achievements. Generic lines like “Managed a sales team” just don’t cut it anymore when it comes to getting the attention of recruiters in 2025.
Why This Is a Mistake:
Duties are what you were supposed to do — not what you did.
Recruiters want to see proof of your impact, not a job description.
What To Do Instead:
Focus on measurable outcomes.
Use numbers, percentages, or timelines.
Example: Rather than “Responsible for managing social media,” you’d write:
“Social Media [Targeted Campaigns] – Increased engagement by 45% in 6 months.”
7. Including Irrelevant Information
In the past, hobbies, unrelated skills, and outdated experiences were occasionally listed on resumes. But in 2025, every entry on your CV should seem strategic and important.
Why This Is a Mistake:
Takes up space that could be given to more valuable skills.
Makes your resume look unfocused.
Hiring managers may interpret that you don’t know what’s important for the role.
What To Do Instead:
Only include hobbies if they are specific to the job (e.g., “Photography” for a creative position).
Take off outdated jobs (say, internships you held 10 years ago) unless the experience is very, very relevant.
Continually redirect the conversation to your skills and accomplishments that align with the job description.
8. Poor Design and Formatting
Your CV should be in a professional format.- Not over artistic or difficult to read. Go into 2025 where you are getting less ATS scans and then shitty formatting is killing you on interviews.
Why This Is a Mistake:
ATS could get mixed up with complicated layouts, tables, or images.
Your resume looks amateurish with mismatched fonts and spacing.
Recruiters are looking for a clear, easy-to-read design.
What To Do Instead:
Use a simple, ATS-friendly template.
Use one or two professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, etc.)
Utilize headings, bullet points, and spacing throughout to prepare them properly.
Save your resume as a PDF unless the job ad specifies another format.
Identity Management Woes If you graduated in 2008 and have’’t updated your phone number since that time, don’t be surprised when your best buddy can’t find it.
It’s amazing how many times candidates turn in resumes with old cell numbers, expired email addresses or broken links to their LinkedIn account. It’s 2025, and your online presence is just as important as your resume.
Why This Is a Mistake:
With outdated contact info, recruiters can’t get to you.
A poorly completed or dormant LinkedIn profile signals caution.
Employers want to verify your resume with your digital footprint.
What To Do Instead:
Verify and re-verify your phone number and professional email address.
Make sure your LinkedIn profile matches your resume with updated accomplishments.
Maintain other professional profiles (e.g. GitHub, Behance, portfolio sites).
9. Failing to Show Career Progression
Recruiters in 2025 don’t want stagnation, they want growth. If you’re submitting a CV that doesn’t show career progress, it’s difficult for employers to see what you’re capable of.
Why This Is a Mistake:
A flat resume without promotions or upskilling makes you appear unambitious.
They want candidates who are driven and always getting better.
What To Do Instead:
Highlight promotions and increasing responsibilities.
Demonstrate upskilling efforts (certification, schooling, or new tech-skills).
Example: “Promotion to Senior Analyst after excelling in KPI performance for 12 months.”
Conclusion
Now, in 2025, your CV or resume is no longer a dry, boring recitation of the jobs you’ve held—it’s a powerful marketing document that can determine the future course of your career. Steer clear of these top 10 resume mistakes and you’ll create a professional, ATS-friendly and influential document that hiring managers are sure to notice.
Remember:
Use a modern layout.
Use right keywords for ATS.
Focus on achievements, not duties.
Ensure information is timely, accurate and up to date.
Show growth and adaptability.
Adhering to these best practices, you’ll not only be able to avoid the pratfalls that prevent candidates from getting interviews, but you’ll also prepare yourself to become a top candidate in the 2025 job market. Have more questions about your resume? Contact us for personalized advice.