In the competitive world of CV writing NZ, even small errors can send your application straight to the reject pile. With New Zealand’s job market showing signs of stabilisation in 2026—unemployment around 5% and growing opportunities in sectors like tech, healthcare, and logistics—recruiters and ATS systems are sifting through hundreds of applications daily. A single formatting glitch, typo, or generic phrase can cost you precious interview opportunities.
At The CV Experts NZ, as leading professional CV writers specialising in professional CV writing NZ, we review countless CVs and see the same pitfalls time and again. These mistakes affect structure, content, and formatting, often undermining otherwise strong candidates. In this guide, we’ll highlight the 5 most common CV mistakes we’re seeing in 2026, explain why they hurt your chances, and provide practical fixes to help your CV stand out for the right reasons.
1. Spelling, Grammar, and Typos – The Silent Application Killer
One of the most frequent and damaging errors in CV writing NZ is spelling mistakes, grammatical issues, or typos. Recruiters view these as red flags for poor attention to detail—a critical trait in Kiwi workplaces where precision matters, whether in project management, client services, or compliance roles.
Why it costs interviews: NZ employers often spend just seconds scanning CVs. A typo in your professional summary or key achievement can make you appear careless, leading to instant rejection. Even minor issues like inconsistent capitalisation or misplaced apostrophes signal a lack of polish.
How to fix it:
Proofread multiple times—read aloud or backwards to catch errors.
Use tools like Grammarly, but always double-check manually for NZ English (e.g., “customisation” not “customization”, “organise” not “organize”).
Ask a trusted colleague or professional CV writer to review it—fresh eyes spot what you miss.
Expert CV writing tip: At The CV Experts NZ, we always run final checks to eliminate these issues, ensuring your document reflects professionalism from the first line.
2. Poor Formatting and Overly Complex Designs
Fancy layouts with coloured blocks, icons, tables, graphics, or multiple fonts might look creative, but they often sabotage your application in 2026’s digital-heavy recruitment landscape.
Why it costs interviews: Many NZ companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter CVs. Complex elements confuse ATS parsers, causing sections to jumble or disappear entirely. Recruiters also find cluttered designs hard to read on screens or mobiles, leading them to move on quickly.
How to fix it:
Stick to clean, simple formats: Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10–12 pt).
Opt for black text on white background, consistent headings, and ample white space.
Save as .docx or ATS-friendly PDF (avoid image-based PDFs).
Test by pasting into a plain text editor—if it reads logically, it’s ATS-safe.
Specialist CV writers at The CV Experts NZ craft ATS-optimised layouts that look professional while passing automated scans seamlessly.
3. Generic Content and Lack of Tailoring
Sending the same CV to every job without customisation is a classic mistake that’s especially costly in NZ’s targeted hiring culture.
Why it costs interviews: Kiwi recruiters value genuine interest and fit. Generic phrases like “hard-working team player” or untailored duties lists fail to show how you match the role. With high competition, applications that don’t mirror job descriptions get overlooked.
How to fix it:
Analyse the job ad and incorporate keywords naturally (e.g., “agile project delivery” if mentioned).
Tailor your professional summary and achievements to highlight relevant skills and results.
Quantify where possible: Change “Managed a team” to “Led a team of 8, delivering projects 15% under budget.”
Professional CV writing NZ services excel here—CV writers like ours conduct in-depth consultations to uncover your unique value and weave in job-specific language.
4. Focusing on Duties Instead of Achievements
Listing responsibilities without evidence of impact is another widespread error that weakens your CV’s punch.
Why it costs interviews: Employers want proof of results, not just what you did. In NZ, where values like collaboration and efficiency prevail, recruiters seek candidates who deliver measurable value. Duty-focused CVs blend into the background.
How to fix it:
Use action verbs: “Led”, “Optimised”, “Implemented”.
Follow the CAR method (Challenge-Action-Result): “Identified inefficiencies in supply chain processes, implemented new tracking system, reducing delivery times by 20%.”
Prioritise recent roles and limit to 4–6 bullets per position.
This shift from “what you did” to “what you achieved” transforms your CV—something our expert CV writing team emphasises in every document.
5. Including Irrelevant or Outdated Information (Including Photos and Personal Details)
Adding unnecessary details dilutes your CV and risks bias or ATS issues.
Why it costs interviews: In NZ, including a photo, age, marital status, or irrelevant early career history (e.g., high school for graduates with degrees) is uncommon and can seem out of touch. Lengthy CVs beyond 2–3 pages overwhelm busy recruiters.
How to fix it:
Keep to 2 pages max for most roles (3 for complex roles or for senior executives).
Omit photos unless the role is highly visual/creative.
Focus on the last 10–15 years; summarise older experience briefly.
Skip personal details unrelated to the job.
The CV Experts NZ specialises in concise, NZ-tailored CVs that highlight strengths without fluff.
Why These Mistakes Persist – And How Professional Help Makes a Difference
In a fast-moving 2026 job market, self-drafting under pressure leads to oversights. Many candidates underestimate ATS impact or NZ-specific preferences, like humility in tone and emphasis on teamwork.
If you’re frustrated with low response rates, consider professional CV writers. At The CV Experts NZ, our specialist CV writers deliver tailored, error-free documents that boost interview chances—often dramatically. Clients frequently report more callbacks after our expert CV writing refines structure, content, and formatting.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these 5 common CV mistakes—spelling/grammar slips, poor formatting, generic content, duty-focused bullets, and irrelevant info—can transform your job search in NZ. A polished CV isn’t just a document; it’s your professional marketing tool.
Ready for a CV that gets results? Contact The CV Experts NZ today for professional CV writing NZ services. Visit www.cvexperts.co.nz to book a consultation and let our team of CV writers help you secure those interviews.
