In the modern job hunting world CVs can be rejected because they fail the ATS test, have no relevant keywords, are too long, have poor formatting and contain spelling mistakes. The most common stumbling blocks are not targeting your CV at the job, using complex layouts with graphics and using poor language along with spelling and grammar mistakes. Additionally, if your CV is too generic, appears messy, unstructured, or is difficult to read, it will get rejected very quickly.
First impressions matter, particularly for time conscious Hiring Managers who have to review dozens of CVs every day and who typically spend a few seconds scanning each one.
By: Iejaz Uddin – Updated: 17 July 2026
Reasons for CV rejection
Trying to find out why their CV gets rejected is a question most candidates ask themselves at some point in their job-hunting endeavours. In both competitive and uncompetitive industries jobseekers often receive often do not hear back or receive immediate rejection emails. But the question is why? To answer this question and give you a better chance of getting a job interview, we’ve put together a list of things to do when writing your CV.
Time is at a premium for recruiters, they may only have a few hours to go through a hundred job applications. For a CV to pass this first hurdle it must be well written, targeted at the job vacancy and match the employers requirements.
- Give employers a reason to invite you for an interview.
Remember that recruiters who spend a whole day having to read through a stack of CVs can become tired and irritated, try to make their job easier. If they do not find your CV interesting enough or relevant within a minute of picking it up they are likely to reject it.
CV not targeted at the job
This is one of the main reasons why CVs get rejected. Failing to tailor the CV to the role, means missing out essential keywords. Which to an Applicant Tracking System and recruiter means you do not meet the basic job requirements.
Not writing a bespoke CV means you could leave out of your job application relevant work experience, skills, achievements, qualifications and accreditation.
Lack of relevant work experience
Many people make the mistake of just listing your employers details and employment dates along with a short list of their work duties. This will not do. You must only include duties that are related to the role and leave other mundane unrelated responsibilities out. You should also prominently give details of any achievements and accomplishments that align with the vacancy. Quantify these tasks achievements with numbers, percentages, or timeframes to prove their impact. Focus on measurable duties and achievements and use strong action verbs that reinforce impact rather than overused cliches.
Work experience is a core component of any good CV. Your employment history should be listed in reverse chronological order detailing your job title, employer, location, and dates of employment.
You may be suitably qualified and experienced for the job but you have made that clear in your resume. Read the job advert carefully and make a list of all the employers requirements. Then write your CV so that it matches the required skills and work experience.
- Regularly refer to the job description when writing your CV.
Visual layout
Common formatting issues include unreadable or inconsistent fonts, overly long paragraphs, no clear headings and poor margins. Some people use 3 different fonts and a variety of colours to personalise their CV. Don’t do this, keep it as simple as possible by having a easy to read font such as Arial or Times New Roman.
The structure should prioritize key information in top-down order that highlights your strengths. It is good practice to submit your final CV draft as a PDF file to ensure the visual formatting stays intact across all devices and operating systems.
You CV should be simple, organized and laid out logically so that key information can be found quickly. You only have at most a few minutes to get your message across. The best way to achieve this is by having a good visual CV layout, correct headings and a simple easy to read format.
- Make it easy for someone reading your CV to find key information about you quickly.
Long CVs
For the UK employment market, a standard CV should ideally be two pages. First impressions count and in the world of job hunting, and there are certain things that will create an immediate bad impression. This is one of them. Keep your CV as short as possible by taking out any meaningless introductions, unnecessary words and general fluff.
Employers do not like long a curriculum vitae that lists every minute details of your career history or your life story. They prefer a short interesting CV that mentions your relevant skills and achievements. If you send a 7 page CV that has very little white space in it and is crammed full off facts and figures, then there is a good chance it will be rejected.
- An ideal CV should be no longer than 2 pages long.
Too much information
Avoid information overload at all costs. In the UK, there is no need to include personal information like your photographs, date of birth, nationality, and marital status. All of these are unnecessary as they are on no interest to the recruiter and just take up extra space.
Do not make your CV boring and difficult top read by overloading it with irrelevant information. A recruiter can become bored and maybe irritated in trying to find your key skills. If they have had a long hard they could simply give up and rejected your CV.
- Do not write a autobiography.
Too little information
Sending in a CV with just a few lines of text will not get you noticed. Try to input as much relevant information that is related to the job you are applying for. It can be difficult trying to strike the right balance, but it is important that you get it right.
- Tell recruiters only what they want to know.
Spelling mistakes
If a employer spots any grammatical errors in your CV they will almost certainly reject it immediately. Use spell checking software and also go over it your self to make sure nothing is left to chance. It is also a good idea to have a friend proof read your CV. Check your CV several times over yourself and through online tools and capable third parties.
Related: Spelling mistakes in a CV
Incorrect contact details
Ensure that your CV has your correct email, address and telephone numbers. If you have made a mistake in any of then you may not get any positive correspondence from the recruiter.
Old CVs that have not been updated
An out-of-date CV can also lead to rejection. It’s a very mistake that many people make and which leads them to miss out on opportunities they are fully qualified for. It’s important that applicants keep their CV current, particularly in technical industries where technologies, systems, and regulations are constantly evolving. Having a current CV also ensures you are always prepared for spontaneous career opportunities, promotions, or networking events.
Bizarre colors, unusual fonts and colored paper
Do not use colored paper or outlandish fonts and colors, they may get you noticed but for the wrong reasons. They’ll make you appear extroverted and attention seeking. Have your CV on a plain white background and use common fonts like Times New Roman or Arial.
Smudgy writing and poor quality paper
If you are sending in your CV on paper them use quality paper, a minimum or 80 grams. Also make sure your print is crystal clear, laser printers are best for high quality printing.
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