Common CV Errors South Africans Should Avoid
Building a strong CV is essential for securing good job opportunities in a competitive market like South Africa’s.
Below is a complete, direct guide tailored to the South African context, highlighting the main CV errors that can cost you interviews and how to fix them effectively.
Not tailoring the CV to the South African job market
The most common mistake issusing generic or international templates without considering the preferences of South African employers.
Recruiters in the country value clarity, objectivity, and well-organized information.
An overly long CV, an excessively creative layout, or anything outside local standards quickly reduces the chances of being read.
Ignoring the impact of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Most companies and recruitment agencies in South Africa use ATS software.
These systems filter CVs before they even reach a human recruiter.
When a CV lacks the right keywords—especially technical skills, tools, and job requirements—it may be automatically rejected.
Always read the job description carefully, add relevant keywords, and avoid heavy use of tables or images.
Lack of clarity in contact information
It seems simple, but many candidates lose interviews because recruiters cannot reach them.
Outdated phone numbers, old email addresses, or informal emails—such as nicknames—harm your credibility.
Essential checklist:
- Active mobile number (with +27 code)
- Professional email, preferably name.surname@…
- City of residence (full address not required)
- Updated LinkedIn profile
A vague or generic professional summary
The professional summary is the first element recruiters read—and often the only one.
When candidates use empty phrases like “motivated professional,” “experienced in various sectors,” or “hard worker,” they lose the reader’s interest quickly.
A strong summary must be direct, clearly stating your target role, experience, strengths, and measurable achievements.
Poorly structured work experience
Many candidates list previous roles as simple task descriptions—not achievements.
In today’s South African market, especially in competitive fields like retail, finance, technology, and hospitality, employers want to see measurable results.
Common errors include copying responsibilities from the employment contract, failing to show real impact, and using long, difficult-to-read paragraphs.
Not listing technical and digital skills
South African recruiters expect to see basic and intermediate digital competencies in most roles.
However, many candidates still fail to include important skills such as
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace
- POS Systems
- CRMs
- Communication tools (Slack, Teams, Zoom)
- Industry-specific software (finance, transport, call centers)
Without clear technical skills, a CV feels incomplete.
Grammar and spelling mistakes
English errors are one of the most frequent causes of immediate rejection in the South African market, especially in roles that require formal communication.
Even small mistakes create an impression of carelessness and lack of professionalism.
Review your CV several times, use grammar-check tools, and ask someone else to read it before submitting.
Including irrelevant or outdated information
Some information is no longer useful—and can even harm your chances.
You don’t need to include marital status, number of dependents, pre-high-school education, or very old courses.
A photo is controversial: some companies request it, but avoid sending one unless explicitly asked.
Not updating recent achievements or courses
A common mistake is keeping the same CV for years without adding new courses, certifications, or skills.
South Africa has a dynamic job market—especially in sectors like retail, IT, call centers, and financial services—and candidates must demonstrate continuous growth.
Regularly add short certifications, internal training, workshops, recent achievements, and new responsibilities from your current job.
Lack of personalization for each job application
Sending the same CV to every vacancy dramatically lowers your chances.
Each South African employer values specific skills—and a generic CV appears misaligned with the role.
Adjust your summary, key skills, and even the order of your experience according to the job.
A strong CV opens doors in the South African job market
Avoiding basic mistakes can completely transform your chances of being invited to interviews.
In South Africa’s competitive environment, a professional, clear, well-structured CV aligned with the job requirements is one of the strongest advantages you can have.
By correcting the common errors—from poor formatting to lack of measurable results—you increase your visibility to recruiters and position yourself more competitively in selection processes.
