Picture this: your dream job is right there, practically waving at you from across the digital void. You’ve got the skills, the passion, and the right amount of caffeine in your system, but your CV? It’s the reason you’re still swiping left on LinkedIn.

A CV is your golden ticket into the world of interviews, but too often, it’s the reason doors stay closed. Don’t worry, though. We’re here to help you transform that sad little PDF into a show-stopping showcase of you. Let’s dive into some of the most common CV mistakes we see in the digital industries and, more importantly, how to fix them.

1. Your CV Is a Generalist’s Dream (and a Recruiter’s Nightmare)

Sending the same CV for every role is like trying to use one outfit for every season. Recruiters in the digital space are looking for tailored CVs that scream, “I’m the perfect fit for your UX design role,” not, “Here’s my CV, I hope you can figure out what I’m good at.”

Fix: Tailor your CV to each job you apply for. Use the job description as your guide. If they’re after someone with a knack for CRO, show how you’ve done just that.

2. Weak Language That Fails to Sell You

“I assisted in managing social campaigns.” Cool. But did you own them? Lead them? Did those campaigns generate £50k in revenue? Your CV isn’t the place to play it shy.

Fix: Swap boring phrases for action-packed ones. Use strong verbs like “led,” “created,” “optimised,” and “increased.” Numbers and results are your best friends, so bring them to the party.

3. You’re Stuck in the Past

If your CV is still shouting about your High School results, it’s time for an update. Employers in the digital industry care more about your latest project or your expertise in Figma than the A in Drama you got 10 years ago.

Fix: Keep your CV focused on your most recent and relevant experience. If it doesn’t add value to the role you’re chasing, cut it.

4. Overloading on Buzzwords

“Digital innovator leveraging synergies to disrupt markets.” Please, no. This reads like you put the job title into ChatGPT and clicked copy-paste. Buzzwords are fine, but overloading your CV with jargon is an instant turn-off.

Fix: Use clear, professional language. Highlight your actual skills and achievements, not meaningless fluff. “Launched a Shopify store that achieved 120% revenue growth in six months” sounds miles better than “innovative e-commerce expert.”

5. Forgetting Design Basics in the Digital Industry

Your CV is not a Monet painting. We don’t want to squint to understand it. In industries like marketing, UX, and design, an unreadable or outdated CV layout is a huge red flag.

Fix: Stick to clean, easy-to-read templates. If you’re in a creative field, feel free to add a splash of personality, but remember recruiters spend seven seconds on a first scan. Don’t waste it on fancy borders and Comic Sans.

6. Ignoring the Power of Keywords

Recruiters and ATS systems (the robots sifting through applications) thrive on keywords. If your CV doesn’t mention “SEO,” “Google Analytics,” or “HTML5” for roles that need those skills, it’s likely headed for the digital bin.

Fix: Read the job description carefully and mirror the language they use. If they’re looking for someone with “data-driven decision-making,” make sure that’s in your CV (assuming it’s true, of course).

7. It’s Too Long (or Too Short)

Recruiters aren’t reading CV novels. At the same time, they don’t want a CV that says, “Worked in marketing. Was good at it.”

Fix: Aim for two pages max. Use concise, bullet-pointed achievements rather than long, winding paragraphs.

8. Neglecting Contact Details and Extras

You’d be surprised how many people forget their contact info or link to a broken portfolio. If your CV is harder to contact than a niche TikToker, recruiters will move on.

Fix: Triple-check your details. Include a working phone number, professional email, and a clickable link to your portfolio or LinkedIn.

The Takeaway

Your CV is your first impression, so make it count. With a bit of tailoring, strong language, and attention to detail, you can turn it into a document that screams, “Hire me right now.”

Still not sure if your CV’s up to scratch? Our team at Just Digital People sees hundreds every week. Give us a shout, and we’ll help you polish yours until it shines. Who knows, your dream job could be closer than you think...