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The 15-Point CV Checklist That Lands More Interviews
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The 15-Point CV Checklist That Lands More Interviews
May 22, 2025

You've spent hours crafting the perfect CV. You're one click away from applying to your dream job. But wait.

This 5-minute checklist is the most important thing you'll do today. It’s the final barrier between your hard work and the dreaded "no reply" folder. We see great candidates get rejected for tiny, avoidable mistakes every single day. Let's make sure you aren't one of them.

Section 1: Content & Persuasion Check (4 minutes)

This is about what you say and how you say it.

1. Is it 100% free of typos and grammatical errors? This is non-negotiable. One typo can signal carelessness.

  • Bad: "Manged a team of teh developers."
  • Good: "Managed a team of ten developers."
  • Action: Read your CV backward (it forces your brain to see words individually). Use a tool like Grammarly. Ask a friend to read it.

2. Is it tailored to the specific job? A generic CV gets ignored. Recruiters can spot them a mile away.

  • Bad (for a marketing role): "Leveraged strong leadership skills to drive results."
  • Good (for a marketing role): "Leveraged strong leadership skills to direct a B2C content marketing strategy that increased lead generation by 30%."
  • Action: Read our guide on how to tailor your CV and spend 3 minutes matching your skills to the job description keywords.

3. Does it have a powerful professional summary? Your summary is your 15-second elevator pitch. It must hook the reader.

  • Action: Ensure your summary is 3-4 lines, states who you are, your top skills, and a key quantifiable achievement. Learn how to write the perfect professional summary.

4. Are your achievements quantified? Numbers prove your impact. "Increased sales" is good. "Increased sales by 20% in Q3 by implementing a new CRM workflow" is great.

5. Does it use strong action verbs? Replace passive phrases like "was responsible for" with dynamic verbs like "managed," "developed," "launched," or "optimized."

6. Is your skills section clear and relevant? This section is a goldmine for ATS keywords. Don't just list things—make it scannable.

  • Good Example: 
    *   Technical Skills: Python, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, AWS
*   Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Professional Fluency)
  • Action: Group your skills into categories. See our skills section mastery guide for more.

7. Is the content relevant and concise? Your CV is a highlight reel, not your life story. If you have 10+ years of experience, no one needs to see the summer job you had in college.

  • Action: Keep it to 1-2 pages maximum. Remove anything that doesn't support your case for this specific job.

Section 2: Formatting & Technical Check (1 minute)

These are the quick-fix details that make a huge difference.

8. Is the formatting clean and consistent? A messy layout is an instant turn-off. Use a standard font, consistent headings, and plenty of white space.

  • Action: Stick to a single-column layout to ensure it's readable by any system. Choose the right CV format for your career.

9. Is it optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)? Have you used standard section headings ("Work Experience," not "My Journey")? Have you avoided tables, columns, and graphics that confuse the bots?

10. Is your contact information correct and professional? Double-check your phone number and email address for typos. Use a professional email address (e.g., firstname.lastname@email.com).

  • Action: Add your LinkedIn profile URL—it's standard practice.

11. Is the file saved as a PDF? Unless the application specifically asks for a Word document, always submit a PDF to preserve your formatting.

12. Is the file name professional? Don't just call it cv.pdf. Use a clear and professional file name like FirstName-LastName-CV-CompanyName.pdf.

13. Are the dates formatted consistently? Whether you use MM/YYYY or Month YYYY, make sure it's the same throughout.

14. Does it look good on mobile? Many recruiters review applications on their phones. Open the PDF on your phone to make sure it's still readable.

15. Have you read it one last time? Take a 10-minute break, then come back and read it one final time from top to bottom. This fresh look can help you catch anything you missed.

You're Ready to Apply!

Checked all the boxes? Now give your CV one final, powerful boost. Run it through the Wow This CV enhancer to ensure it's not just error-free, but also high-impact and ready to wow recruiters.

Enhance My CV Now →