Knowing what not to put on your CV is just as important as knowing what to include.

Your CV should give an employer a clear and professional overview of your qualifications, skills, experience and achievements. Including too much irrelevant information can make your CV difficult to read and can distract from the information that matters.

Whether you are applying for your first job, an internship, learnership, apprenticeship, graduate programme or an experienced professional position, avoiding common CV mistakes can help you present your information more effectively.

In this guide, we look at what not to put on your CV in South Africa and the information you should consider leaving out.

1. False Information

The most important thing to avoid on your CV is information that is not true.

Never make up:

• Qualifications
• Work experience
• Job titles
• Skills
• Certifications
• References
• Achievements
• Employment dates

For example, do not claim that you have a university degree if you have not completed or obtained the qualification.

Employers may verify information provided during the recruitment process.

Your CV should represent your actual experience and abilities.

Why Is This Important?

A CV is part of your job application. Providing false information can damage your credibility and may affect your application or employment.

If you do not have a particular skill, focus on the skills you actually have and consider developing the missing skill.

2. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes

Your CV should be checked carefully for spelling, grammar and typing errors.

Common mistakes include:

• Misspelled company names
• Incorrect job titles
• Missing words
• Incorrect dates
• Inconsistent punctuation
• Poor sentence structure

A single typing mistake does not necessarily determine whether someone gets a job, but a CV containing many errors can make the document look rushed or poorly prepared.

Before submitting your CV, read it carefully or ask someone you trust to proofread it.

3. An Unprofessional Email Address

Your email address is one of the first pieces of contact information an employer may see.

Avoid email addresses that contain:

• Offensive words
• Excessive numbers
• Nicknames that are inappropriate for professional use
• Jokes or slang

Instead, use a simple professional address based on your name.

For example:

firstname.lastname@email.com

If your current email address is not suitable for job applications, consider creating a separate professional email account.

4. Your Full Residential Address

You generally do not need to include your complete street address on your CV.

For many applications, your:

City + Province

is enough.

For example:

Pretoria, Gauteng

Providing less unnecessary personal information can also help you maintain better control over your personal data.

If an employer requires a specific address or location, follow the application instructions.

5. Unnecessary Personal Information

Your CV should focus on information relevant to employment.

You generally do not need to include personal details such as:

• Marital status
• Number of children
• Religion
• Political affiliation
• Personal beliefs
• Personal financial information

Unless an employer specifically requests information for a legitimate application requirement, focus on your professional background.

6. Your ID Number Without a Requirement

South African job seekers may sometimes wonder whether their ID number belongs on a CV.

You do not need to automatically put your ID number on every CV.

Only provide sensitive identification information when it is specifically required by the employer or application process.

Always check the vacancy instructions before submitting sensitive information.

For public-service applications, the required information can depend on the specific vacancy and application process.

7. Your Salary History

Your previous salary does not normally need to appear on your CV unless an employer specifically asks for it.

Your CV should focus on your:

• Experience
• Skills
• Qualifications
• Achievements
• Professional background

If a job application asks for salary expectations or other compensation information, follow the instructions provided by the employer.

8. Too Much Irrelevant Work Experience

You do not necessarily need to include every job you have ever had.

The more experienced you become, the more important it is to focus on experience that is relevant to the position.

For example, if you are applying for an IT position, several years of relevant technical experience may be more useful than a detailed description of an unrelated temporary job from many years ago.

However, older experience can still be useful if it demonstrates transferable skills or is relevant to the position.

9. Every Job Responsibility You Have Ever Had

A CV should not become a detailed history of everything you did at work.

Instead of listing ten or twenty responsibilities for every job, focus on the most relevant responsibilities and achievements.

For example:

Instead of:

Answered phones, opened emails, attended meetings, made copies, filed documents, helped customers, cleaned the office, printed documents…

Use concise points that communicate your main responsibilities and relevant achievements.

10. Generic Statements Without Evidence

Avoid filling your CV with vague statements such as:

• I am a hard worker.
• I am the best candidate.
• I am extremely talented.
• I am a perfectionist.
• I am a highly motivated person.

These statements can be difficult for an employer to evaluate.

Where possible, demonstrate your skills through your experience and achievements.

For example:

Weak:

Excellent communication skills.

Better:

Assisted customers with product enquiries and resolved service-related issues.

The second example gives context to the skill.

11. Too Many Buzzwords

Avoid filling your CV with corporate buzzwords simply because they sound impressive.

Examples include:

• Dynamic
• Synergy
• Rockstar
• Ninja
• Guru
• Outside-the-box thinker
• Results-driven professional

There is nothing wrong with professional language, but your CV should communicate useful information rather than simply contain impressive-sounding words.

12. An Objective That Is Too Generic

A generic objective such as:

I am looking for a challenging position in a company where I can grow and develop my career.

does not tell an employer much about you.

Instead, make your profile or objective specific to your skills and career direction.

For example:

Recent accounting graduate seeking an entry-level accounting position where I can apply my financial reporting and Excel skills while developing practical industry experience.

13. Too Many Colours

A CV does not need to look like a poster.

Using too many colours can make it difficult to read and may make the document look less professional.

For most job applications, use a clean design with:

• Clear headings
• Consistent formatting
• Readable fonts
• Good spacing
• Simple visual elements

Some creative industries may allow more design freedom, but readability should still be a priority.

14. Excessive Graphics

Avoid filling your CV with unnecessary:

• Icons
• Pictures
• Charts
• Decorative elements
• Large logos
• Background images

A simple CV allows recruiters to find important information quickly.

If you work in a creative field such as graphic design, you can demonstrate your creativity through a portfolio while keeping your CV readable.

15. A Poor-Quality Photo

A photo is generally not necessary unless the employer specifically requests one or it is relevant to the application.

If a job advertisement specifically requires a photograph, follow the instructions.

Do not use:

• Holiday photos
• Party photos
• Group photos
• Heavily edited selfies
• Low-quality images
• Photos with distracting backgrounds

Your CV should remain focused on your professional qualifications and experience.

16. Hobbies That Are Not Relevant

You do not need to list every hobby you have.

For example, a large section containing:

• Watching movies
• Playing video games
• Listening to music
• Going out with friends

does not necessarily add useful information to your application.

If a hobby demonstrates a relevant skill or achievement, it may be worth mentioning.

For example, leadership through organised sporting activities could demonstrate teamwork and responsibility.

17. References Without Permission

Never list someone as a reference without asking them first.

Your reference should know:

• That you are applying for jobs
• That you have listed them
• What type of positions you are applying for
• That an employer may contact them

Make sure their contact details are also correct.

You can alternatively write:

References available upon request.

18. Outdated Contact Details

Imagine an employer wants to invite you for an interview but your phone number no longer works.

Always check your contact information before submitting your CV.

Make sure your:

• Phone number
• Email address
• LinkedIn profile
• Location

are current.

19. Outdated Information

Your CV should be updated regularly.

Remove or update information that is no longer accurate.

For example:

If you recently completed a qualification, update your education section.

If you have moved to a new position, update your employment history.

If you have obtained a new certification, add it to your CV.

20. Information You Cannot Explain

Do not add skills or qualifications simply because they appear in the job advertisement.

If an employer asks you about something during an interview, you should be able to explain your experience with it honestly.

For example, if you list advanced Excel skills, you should be comfortable discussing the Excel functions or tasks you actually know.

Only include skills you genuinely possess.

21. Long Blocks of Text

Avoid turning your CV into an essay.

Large paragraphs are difficult to scan.

Instead, use:

• Short paragraphs
• Bullet points
• Clear headings
• Consistent spacing

For example, your work experience can contain three to six concise bullet points rather than one long paragraph.

22. Excessive Personal Stories

Your CV is not the place to tell your entire life story.

You can explain important career experiences without including lengthy personal stories.

Save detailed explanations for your interview or cover letter where appropriate.

23. Negative Comments About Previous Employers

Never use your CV to complain about a previous employer.

Avoid statements such as:

My previous manager was difficult.

or:

I hated my previous job.

Your CV should remain professional and focused on your qualifications and experience.

If an interviewer asks why you left a previous position, you can provide an appropriate professional explanation.

24. Salary Demands in the CV

Avoid putting statements such as:

I will not accept less than R20,000.

unless the application specifically asks for salary expectations.

If the employer requests salary expectations, follow the instructions in the vacancy.

25. Reasons for Leaving Previous Jobs

You generally do not need to explain why you left every previous job on your CV.

Your CV should focus on:

• What you did
• What you achieved
• What skills you developed
• What qualifications you obtained

Reasons for leaving can be discussed if an employer asks during the recruitment process.

26. Unnecessary Certificates

Do not fill your CV with every certificate you have ever received.

Focus on certificates that are:

• Relevant to the position
• Current where applicable
• Recognised by the relevant organisation
• Useful to your career

For example, a programming certification may be relevant to an IT position but not necessarily to every job you apply for.

27. Too Many Pages of Irrelevant Information

A long CV is not automatically a better CV.

If you can communicate your relevant experience clearly in two pages instead of five, there may be no reason to add unnecessary information.

The appropriate length depends on your career stage and experience.

The goal is relevance rather than length.

28. Unnecessary Social Media Accounts

You do not need to list every social media account you have.

If you include an online profile, it should ideally be relevant to your professional identity.

For example:

• LinkedIn
• Professional portfolio
• GitHub for developers
• Professional website
• Design portfolio

Think carefully before adding personal social media profiles.

29. A Fake LinkedIn Profile

If you include LinkedIn on your CV, make sure the profile is yours and that the information matches your CV.

Avoid exaggerating your experience on either platform.

Consistency helps make your professional information easier to verify.

30. Information Copied From Another Person’s CV

A CV should represent you.

Do not simply copy another person’s CV and replace their name with yours.

You can use CV examples and templates for structure and inspiration, but your:

• Qualifications
• Experience
• Skills
• Achievements
• Career goals

should be your own.

What Should You Put on Your CV Instead?

Now that you know what not to put on your CV, focus on information that helps an employer understand your suitability for the position.

A professional CV can include:

Contact Details

• Name
• Phone number
• Professional email
• City and province

Professional Profile

A short introduction relevant to your career.

Education

Your qualifications and relevant education.

Work Experience

Relevant employment history and responsibilities.

Skills

Relevant technical and professional skills.

Certifications

Relevant certificates and training.

Achievements

Awards and meaningful accomplishments.

Projects

Relevant academic, professional or personal projects.

Languages

Languages and accurate proficiency levels.

References

Professional or academic references where appropriate.

How to Check Your CV Before Sending It

Before submitting your application, take a few minutes to review your CV.

Ask yourself:

Is everything accurate?

Check your qualifications, dates, job titles and contact information.

Is everything relevant?

Remove information that does not contribute to your application.

Is it easy to read?

Check your headings, spacing, font and bullet points.

Is it tailored to the position?

Make sure relevant skills and experience are easy to find.

Have I checked my spelling?

Proofread the entire document.

Have I followed the application instructions?

Check whether the employer requires a CV, cover letter, Z83 or other documents.

Create and Update Your CV Online

Knowing what not to put on your CV can help you create a cleaner and more professional application.

If you want an easier way to build and maintain your CV, YouthPlug CV allows you to create your CV online, choose a template and update your information whenever you need to.

You can create your CV for free and keep it updated as you gain:

• New qualifications
• Work experience
• Skills
• Certifications
• Projects
• Achievements

Keeping one updated master CV can make it easier to prepare tailored applications for different positions.

CV Mistakes Checklist

Before you submit your CV, check that you have avoided:

• False information
• Spelling mistakes
• An unprofessional email address
• Excessive personal information
• Unnecessary ID information
• Salary history unless requested
• Irrelevant work experience
• Excessive text
• Too many colours
• Unnecessary graphics
• Poor-quality photographs
• Irrelevant hobbies
• References without permission
• Outdated contact details
• Outdated qualifications
• Unexplained skills
• Negative comments about previous employers
• Unnecessary social media accounts
• Information copied from another person’s CV

Frequently Asked Questions

What should you not put on a CV?

Avoid false information, unnecessary personal information, irrelevant experience, excessive graphics, spelling mistakes, unprofessional email addresses, salary demands unless requested and information that is not relevant to the position.

Should I put my ID number on my CV?

Not unless it is specifically required by the employer or application process. Avoid unnecessarily sharing sensitive personal information.

Should I put my age on my CV?

You generally do not need to include your age unless the application specifically requests it.

Should I put my marital status on my CV?

Marital status is generally unnecessary on a professional CV unless specifically required by the application.

Should I put my salary on my CV?

Your salary history does not normally belong on your CV unless the employer specifically requests it.

Should I put hobbies on my CV?

Hobbies are optional. Include them when they are relevant or demonstrate useful skills or achievements.

Should I include every job I have had?

Not necessarily. Prioritise relevant experience, particularly as your career develops. Older experience can still be included when it demonstrates relevant or transferable skills.

Can I use a CV template?

Yes. A CV template can help organise your information. However, make sure the content accurately represents your own qualifications, experience and skills.

Conclusion

Knowing what not to put on your CV can help you create a document that is clearer, more professional and easier for an employer to review.

Avoid false information, unnecessary personal details, irrelevant experience, excessive design elements, negative comments and information that does not contribute to your application.

Your CV should focus on the things that matter most: your qualifications, skills, experience, achievements and suitability for the position.

Before submitting your CV, read the job advertisement carefully, check your information and make sure you have followed the employer’s application requirements.

A clean and relevant CV does not need to contain everything about you. It needs to contain the right information for the opportunity you are applying for.