The CV Checklist to Run Before You Submit Every Application

Why a checklist matters

In the rhythm of a job search — applying to multiple roles per day, running tailoring versions, writing cover letters — it's easy to submit something that has a fixable problem. Wrong contact details. Generic profile that was meant to be tailored. An old version of the CV.

A pre-submission checklist prevents the mistakes you'd catch if you slowed down.

Section 1: Formatting

Single-column layout (no sidebars, no two-column sections)
No tables, text boxes, or frames anywhere in the document
No images, icons, or graphics
Standard section headings (Work Experience, Education, Skills — not creative alternatives)
Readable font — Arial, Calibri, or Garamond at 10–12pt body text
Margins 2–2.5cm on all sides
Maximum 2 pages (3 only for senior/technical roles)
No critical information in document headers or footers
File format: .docx for portal applications; PDF if specified

Section 2: Contact details

Name is at the top, slightly larger, readable
Email address is professional and currently active
Phone number is correct and current
Location is city only (no full street address)
LinkedIn URL is included and up to date (optional but recommended)
No date of birth, nationality, or photo

Section 3: Personal profile

3 sentences maximum
Specific job title, experience level, and specialism
Tailored to this application (not generic)
No filler phrases: "hardworking", "passionate", "results-driven", "motivated"
Keywords from the job description are present

Section 4: Work experience

Listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first)
All roles have: job title, company name, dates (month and year)
Dates are consistent format (Month YYYY – Month YYYY throughout)
Each role has bullet points (not just a title with no content)
Bullet points start with action verbs (not "Responsible for" or "Involved in")
At least some bullet points contain quantified achievements (numbers, %, £, team sizes)
No bullet points that just describe job duties without outcomes

Section 5: Skills

Specific tools, software, and technologies listed (not vague categories)
No soft skills listed (communication, teamwork, etc.)
Keywords from the job description appear in the skills section
Skills are current and accurate — you could answer interview questions about them

Section 6: Education

Listed in reverse chronological order
University degree, A-levels, and key certifications included
Classification or grade is included
Year of completion is included

Section 7: Tailoring check

Personal profile mentions the specific type of role or company
The top 5 keywords from the job description appear in the CV
The skills section reflects the tools/technologies mentioned in the job description
The file is saved with this company/role reference in the name

Section 8: Final read-through

Spelling is correct throughout (use spell-check and read it manually)
UK English spelling if applying for UK roles (recognised, organised, programme)
No inconsistencies in dates or company names
Nothing you'd be uncomfortable answering questions about at interview
Cover letter is attached if required

The most commonly missed items

Wrong contact details: Email or phone changed since the last update. Check both.

Generic profile: Profile from a previous application template, not tailored for this role.

Missing keywords: Job description says "Jira" and your CV says "project management tools". ATS won't match it.

File named "CV.pdf": Name your file with your name and role. It gets lost otherwise.

Wrong file format: Submitting .pages or .rtf through an ATS portal.

CVCircuit makes this easier

CVCircuit's CV builder handles formatting compliance automatically — single column, correct headings, clean export. The tailoring feature checks keyword match before you submit. And each version is stored with the application it belongs to.

Build your CV free and submit with confidence from a document that passes every item on this checklist.