CV Checker: A 20-Point Self-Audit Before You Apply

6 min read Updated June 2026

Before you send your CV to a single employer, run it through this checklist. Recruiters spend seconds on each CV, so small mistakes cost you interviews. Work through these 20 checks and fix anything you cannot tick off.

Contact and basics

Your full name is at the top and easy to read.
You have a professional email address (firstname.surname@gmail.com), not a nickname.
Your phone number is correct and you can answer calls during working hours.
Your city/area is listed (a full home address is not required).
There are no spelling mistakes in your own name, email or job titles.

Structure and formatting

The CV is 2–3 pages — long enough to show value, short enough to scan.
You use one clean, readable font (Arial or Calibri, 11–12pt).
Sections have clear headings: Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, References.
The layout is consistent — same spacing, bullet style and date format throughout.
It is saved and sent as a PDF with a clear file name (e.g. Name_Surname_CV.pdf).

Content quality

A short professional summary at the top is tailored to the job you want.
Work experience is listed most-recent-first with role, employer and dates.
Each role uses action verbs (Managed, Assisted, Increased) and shows results.
Education includes qualification, institution and year.
Skills are relevant to the job, mixing technical and soft skills.
You have 2–3 contactable references (or "available on request").

Final tailoring checks

You matched keywords from the specific job advert.
There are no gaps left unexplained (studies, volunteering, etc.).
Someone else proofread it for spelling and grammar.
No ID number or photo is included unless the employer asked for it.

Practical tips for South Africa

Read your CV out loud — awkward phrasing and typos are easier to catch.
Save a master CV, then make a tailored copy for each application.
Match the words in the job advert; many employers screen CVs by keyword.
Ask a friend or mentor to review it before you send it anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my CV is good enough?

If you can tick every item on this checklist, your CV is in strong shape. The biggest wins are a tailored summary, results-focused experience and zero spelling errors.

Why am I not getting interviews?

Common causes are a CV that is not tailored to the advert, missing keywords, spelling mistakes, or unclear formatting. Work through this checklist and fix each gap.

Should I use a CV template?

A simple, clean template helps with consistent formatting. See our CV templates guide for free, recruiter-friendly options.