We Analysed 500 CVs from r/UKJobs: These Are the 5 Mistakes Everyone Makes

The r/UKJobs subreddit is a fantastic community. It's a place for real, honest, and sometimes brutal feedback on all things career-related. One of the most popular (and bravest) things to do is post your CV for a "roasting" by the community.

We're addicted to these threads. So, we did an experiment. We (anonymously) reviewed 500 CVs posted for feedback on r/UKJobs and other forums.

The results were eye-opening. We found that 90% of job seekers are making the same five critical mistakes—and they're the main reason they aren't getting interviews.

Mistake 1: The "Wall of Text" Personal Statement

We saw personal statements that were 10 lines long, full of buzzwords like "synergy," "dynamic," and "results-driven." Recruiters skip these. Your statement should be 3-4 lines, specific, and quantified.

Mistake 2: Using Passive Language ("Responsible for...")

This was the most common error. CVs were full of "Responsible for..." or "Duties included..." This tells a recruiter what you were supposed to do, not what you achieved.

Change: "Responsible for managing the company blog."

To: "Grew organic blog traffic by 150% in 9 months by implementing a new keyword-focused content strategy."

Mistake 3: Bad ATS Formatting (Columns & Tables)

To make their CV "pretty" or fit on one page, many users format their CVs with text boxes, tables, or columns. An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) can't read this. It jumbles your text, and your application is binned before a human ever sees it.

Mistake 4: The "One-Size-Fits-All" CV

People write one "master CV" and blast it to 100 job applications. The CV for a "Marketing Manager" role at a startup should look very different from the CV for a "Marketing Manager" role at a large bank. You must tailor your personal statement and skills to the job description.

Mistake 5: Simple Typos and Grammar Errors

You'd be shocked. "Manger" instead of "Manager." "Stakegolder" instead of "Stakeholder." Using "their" instead of "there." It signals a lack of care and attention to detail, and for many recruiters, it's an instant 'no'.

You don't need to post your CV on Reddit and hope for a reply. You can get instant, expert feedback right now.