CV examples with practical corrections

Common CV Mistakes: Examples, Explanations and Solutions

Compare stronger and weaker CV examples for administration, nursing and IT support roles, and learn how to correct the mistakes before submitting your next job application.

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How to Use These Examples

Each section contains a visual comparison between a stronger CV and a weaker CV. The highlighted mistakes are explained below the image, together with practical solutions.

The examples contain fictional names, contact information, employers and professional registration details. Do not copy the fictional information into your own CV.

Example 1

Administrative Assistant CV Mistakes

The strong CV is organised, role-specific and easy to scan. The weak example uses vague wording, long paragraphs and inconsistent dates.

Administrative Assistant good CV and bad CV comparison with mistakes highlighted
Administrative Assistant CV comparison showing common contact, profile, employment and formatting mistakes.

Mistakes and Corrections

The following changes would make the weaker administrative CV more professional and relevant.

✕ Mistake

Unprofessional email address

An informal email address may create a poor first impression.

jamie_loves_pizza@email.com
✓ Solution

Use your name

Create a separate professional email account for applications.

jordan.parker@email.com
✕ Mistake

Generic professional profile

Statements such as “hardworking” and “good with people” do not explain the applicant’s professional value.

✓ Solution

Include relevant experience

Mention experience, systems, strengths and the type of administrative work performed.

Administrative Assistant with four years of experience in diary management, records, correspondence and Microsoft Office.
✕ Mistake

Long paragraphs

Large blocks of text make responsibilities difficult to scan.

✓ Solution

Use focused bullet points

Begin each responsibility with an action word and describe one task per bullet.

• Managed diaries and scheduled meetings.
• Prepared reports and correspondence.
• Maintained accurate filing systems.
✕ Mistake

Inconsistent employment dates

Mixing formats such as “2017–18,” “2018/6” and “2021 to now” looks careless.

✓ Solution

Choose one date format

Use the same month-and-year style for every position.

January 2021 – Present
✕ Mistake

Vague skills

Words such as “team player” do not show what the applicant can do.

✓ Solution

List practical abilities

Include software, administrative processes and communication tasks.

Microsoft Excel, data capturing, records management, calendar coordination and report preparation.
✕ Mistake

Irrelevant personal interests

Shopping, social media and going out do not strengthen an administrative application.

✓ Solution

Use the space for relevant information

Add certificates, achievements, systems, languages or professional development.

Example 2

Professional Nurse CV Mistakes

A nursing CV should clearly show professional registration, clinical experience, patient-care skills and relevant qualifications.

Professional Nurse good CV and bad CV comparison with mistakes highlighted
Professional Nurse CV comparison showing registration, clinical-duty, qualification and formatting mistakes.

Mistakes and Corrections

Healthcare recruiters need clear proof of registration, qualifications and relevant clinical experience.

✕ Mistake

Missing or unclear SANC registration

Writing “registered” without the category or current status may be insufficient.

✓ Solution

List registration clearly

Include the full council name, category and registration status.

South African Nursing Council (SANC)
Category: Professional Nurse
Status: Active
✕ Mistake

Vague clinical responsibilities

“Looked after patients” does not explain the applicant’s scope of work.

✓ Solution

Describe actual nursing duties

Mention assessment, medication, documentation, infection prevention and multidisciplinary care.

Assessed patients, administered prescribed medication and maintained accurate clinical documentation.
✕ Mistake

Incomplete qualification details

“Nursing course” does not identify the qualification or training institution.

✓ Solution

Use the official qualification name

Add the institution and completion period.

Diploma in General Nursing
Ekurhuleni West TVET College
2016–2018
✕ Mistake

Generic nursing skills

“Caring” and “friendly” are personal qualities, not sufficient clinical skills.

✓ Solution

Include clinical competencies

Use skills relevant to the advertised nursing environment.

Patient assessment, wound care, medication administration, infection prevention, triage and clinical documentation.
✕ Mistake

Inconsistent date formats

Mixing “Jan/18,” “2020–2024” and other styles reduces clarity.

✓ Solution

Use one employment timeline format

January 2018 – December 2019
✕ Mistake

Weak reference information

“References available on request” may not meet an employer’s instructions.

✓ Solution

Provide professional references when required

Include a supervisor’s name, position, organisation and contact details after receiving permission.

Example 3

IT Support Technician CV Mistakes

An effective IT CV should identify platforms, certifications, troubleshooting responsibilities and the applicant’s level of technical support experience.

IT Support Technician good CV and bad CV comparison with mistakes highlighted
IT Support Technician CV comparison showing job-title, technical-skill, certification and experience mistakes.

Mistakes and Corrections

Technical recruiters need to see specific systems, support responsibilities and verified certificates.

✕ Mistake

Unclear job title

“Computer Guy” is informal and does not identify the applicant’s professional role.

✓ Solution

Use a recognised title

IT Support Technician

Use your official title or include a clear recognised equivalent in brackets.

✕ Mistake

Weak technical skills

“Good with computers” does not show which platforms, systems or tasks the applicant understands.

✓ Solution

Name the technologies

Windows 10/11, Microsoft 365, Active Directory, remote support, TCP/IP, printer troubleshooting and ticketing systems.
✕ Mistake

Vague support duties

“Fixed computers” does not explain the level or type of technical support provided.

✓ Solution

Describe support responsibilities

Diagnosed hardware and software faults, managed Microsoft 365 accounts and resolved incidents through the service desk.
✕ Mistake

Missing certifications

Relevant certificates help support claims about technical ability.

✓ Solution

List completed certificates accurately

CompTIA A+ — 2023
Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals — 2023
✕ Mistake

Incomplete education information

“Studied IT at a college” does not identify the qualification or institution.

✓ Solution

Add the formal qualification

Diploma in Information Technology
Tshwane University of Technology
2017–2019
✕ Mistake

Irrelevant hobbies

Gaming and social activities do not replace technical evidence.

✓ Solution

Prioritise technical projects

Include a home lab, support project, portfolio, GitHub page or practical certification where relevant.

Example 4

General CV Mistakes to Avoid

This example highlights unnecessary personal information, weak descriptions and missing employment details that can affect many types of applications.

General CV good and bad comparison showing personal information and formatting mistakes
General CV comparison showing unnecessary personal information, vague content and inconsistent formatting.

Mistakes and Corrections

These problems can appear in almost any CV, regardless of the profession.

✕ Mistake

Too much personal information

A general CV does not normally require a complete identity number, religion, height, weight, marital status or number of children.

✓ Solution

Include only necessary details

Usually include your name, city or province, telephone number and professional email address.

✕ Mistake

Full street address

Publishing a full residential address creates an unnecessary privacy risk.

✓ Solution

Use city and province

Soweto, Gauteng
✕ Mistake

Incomplete employment history

Listing employer names without clear job titles, duties and dates gives recruiters too little information.

✓ Solution

Add complete role information

For each position, include the job title, employer, location, dates, responsibilities and achievements.

✕ Mistake

Incomplete education

“Finished Grade 12” does not identify the school, qualification or completion year.

✓ Solution

Use the official qualification name

National Senior Certificate
ABC Secondary School
Completed: 2022
✕ Mistake

Vague skills

“Good with people” and “good with computers” provide little evidence.

✓ Solution

Describe specific abilities

Customer service, Microsoft Word, basic Excel, email communication, filing and data capturing.
✕ Mistake

Weak references

“Will give if I get the job” sounds unprofessional.

✓ Solution

Follow the employer’s instructions

Include two or three professional references where requested, after obtaining their permission.

Professional CV standards

Six Improvements That Strengthen Almost Every CV

Apply these principles to make your CV clearer, more professional and easier for employers to assess.

1

Tailor the profile

Match your profile to the qualification, experience and skills required by the vacancy.

2

Use action words

Begin responsibilities with words such as managed, prepared, assessed, coordinated or resolved.

3

Show achievements

Include accurate improvements, results, targets or contributions where possible.

4

Keep dates consistent

Use one date format throughout the employment and education sections.

5

Protect personal information

Do not include unnecessary identity, family, banking or residential information.

6

Check the final file

Open the exact attachment and confirm that it is readable before submitting the application.

Final CV Review Checklist

Complete these checks before sending or uploading your CV.

  • Your name is clearly visible.
  • Your mobile number is correct.
  • Your email address is professional.
  • Your city and province are included.
  • Your profile matches the vacancy.
  • Relevant skills appear near the top.
  • Your most recent job appears first.
  • Employment dates are consistent.
  • Responsibilities use action words.
  • Relevant achievements are included.
  • Qualification names are accurate.
  • Professional registration is current.
  • Relevant certificates are included.
  • Unnecessary personal details are removed.
  • References agreed to be contacted.
  • Spelling and grammar are correct.
  • The layout is clean and consistent.
  • The filename contains your name.
  • The correct document is attached.
  • The final PDF opens correctly.

Privacy and Accuracy Warning

Never publish your real identity number, signature, complete home address, banking details or passwords in an online CV.

Never invent qualifications, employers, registrations, duties or references. Employers may verify the information provided during recruitment.

Prepare a Stronger CV Before Applying

Correct the mistakes highlighted in these examples, tailor your genuine experience to the vacancy and check the final file before submitting it.

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