In the brutally competitive UK job market, your CV is your first and sometimes only chance to make an impression. But what you choose to leave off can be just as critical as what you include.
A seasoned UK recruiter has lifted the lid on the nine cardinal sins that will see your application hurled into the reject pile without a second glance. These aren't just minor tweaks; they are the fundamental errors that scream 'amateur' to hiring managers.
The CV Killers: What to Immediately Remove
Your Full Address: In an age of data privacy and remote working, your full street address is a security risk and completely unnecessary. Listing your town or city is more than sufficient.
Unprofessional Email Addresses: That email you created as a teenager (coolguy1995@... or partyanimal@...) has no place on a professional CV. It instantly undermines your credibility.
'Curriculum Vitae' as a Title: It's a waste of prime real estate. Use that space for your name and a powerful professional headline that sells your value.
References Available Upon Request: This is a given. Including it is a dated practice that adds zero value and only consumes precious space.
The Content That Undermines Your Application
Irrelevant Hobbies: While 'socialising with friends' might seem harmless, it tells a recruiter nothing about your skills. Only include hobbies if they demonstrably showcase relevant soft skills, like teamwork or leadership.
Outdated or Basic IT Skills: Listing Microsoft Office as a skill in 2024 suggests a serious lack of technical awareness. Assume proficiency in standard office software and focus on advanced or niche software specific to your industry.
A Photo: In the UK, adding a photo to your CV is a major faux pas. It opens up potential for unconscious bias and is simply not the standard practice. Your skills should speak for themselves.
Your Date of Birth, Marital Status, or Nationality: This personal information is irrelevant to your ability to do the job. Including it can work against you and is discouraged to prevent discrimination.
Lengthy, Dense Paragraphs: Recruiters scan CVs, they don't read them word-for-word. Walls of text are a sure-fire way to get your application ignored. Use bullet points, clear headings, and white space to make your achievements easily scannable.
Crafting a Winning UK CV
The goal of your CV is not to tell your life story, but to secure an interview. By ruthlessly cutting the clutter and focusing on relevant, impactful achievements, you can create a document that stands out for all the right reasons. Tailor your skills and experience for each role, and let your professionalism shine through from the very first line.
