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New graduate? Avoid these common CV mistakes and get tips on how to write an ATS-friendly CV that lands interviews in the UK job market.
Top Graduate CV Mistakes to Avoid in 2025
Graduating in 2025? You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by the job hunt. Your CV is your first impression, and getting it right is crucial in today’s competitive UK market. Here are top graduate CV mistakes to avoid—and what to do instead.
Top Graduate CV Mistakes to Avoid in 2025
If you’re graduating this year and starting your job hunt, you’re probably feeling the pressure to stand out. One of the easiest ways to boost your chances of landing interviews is to create a strong, well-structured CV. Unfortunately, many graduates make simple but costly mistakes.
Let’s walk through the most common ones—and how to fix them.
1. Missing a Personal Statement
Your CV should begin with a short personal statement—3 to 4 lines that clearly explain who you are, your skills, and what you’re looking for.
🟢 Fix it:
Write a tailored summary that includes your degree, top skills, and career goal.
Example:
“Psychology graduate with strong communication skills and a passion for mental health. Looking for an entry-level role in social care or wellbeing support.”
2. Listing Irrelevant Experience Without Context
Many graduates include part-time jobs but fail to connect them to the role they’re applying for.
🟢 Fix it:
Highlight transferable skills—like teamwork, communication, or multitasking.
Example:
“Worked in a busy café while studying. Built strong customer service and time management skills under pressure.”
3. Not Using Keywords from Job Descriptions
If you’re not tailoring your CV, employers may not see how you fit—and applicant tracking systems (ATS) might not either.
🟢 Fix it:
Use key phrases from the job advert (e.g. “data analysis,” “project coordination”) and weave them naturally into your experience and skills.
4. Overdesigning Your CV
Fancy fonts, tables, and graphics can confuse ATS software. Clean, simple formatting works best.
🟢 Fix it:
Use a plain, professional font (like Arial or Calibri), clear headings, and no more than two columns.
Bonus tip: Save your CV as a PDF unless the employer asks for a Word document.
5. No Evidence of Soft or Digital Skills
Employers are looking for more than your degree—they want proof of communication, initiative, and sometimes tech fluency.
🟢 Fix it:
Add examples from university, part-time work, or volunteering that show these skills.
Final Tips for a Graduate-Friendly CV
Creating a great graduate CV doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a quick checklist:
✔ Keep it to 1–2 pages
✔ Use action words like “managed”, “created”, “organised”
✔ Tailor it for each application
✔ Always include a short, impactful personal statement
✔ Proofread for spelling and grammar
Need Help Writing a Graduate CV?
At LA121 Consultants, we specialise in CV writing for UK graduates. Whether you need a full CV revamp or feedback on your current version, our expert team can help you stand out and get noticed.
👉 Book a 1-1 online consultation today and get job‑ready.
Would you like me to create this as a downloadable PDF version or upload-ready HTML/WordPress block? I can also supply a custom banner image if needed.
Bonus Tip:
Have a professional review your CV. LA121 Consultants offers affordable CV revamp services tailored to new grads. Don’t let formatting or poor structure hold you back. Join our FREE Whatsapp channel here for FREE Jobseeker advice from our career experts.