CV Self-Review Checklist: 12 Things to Check Before Sending
You rewrote it three times. You are tired of looking at it. That is exactly when the typos slip through. A quick, structured pass before you hit send catches the small things that cost interviews.
Here is a checklist you can run in about ten minutes.
1. The contact block is correct
Check your phone number digit by digit and email address character by character. A single wrong digit means the recruiter cannot reach you, and they will not chase it.
2. The file name is professional
Name the file something like Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf. Not cv_final_v3_REAL.docx. The file name is the first thing a recruiter sees in their inbox.
3. It is saved as PDF
Unless the job ad asks for Word, send a PDF. It keeps your layout intact on any device.
4. No spelling or grammar mistakes
Read it out loud. Reading aloud forces you to slow down and catch errors your eyes skip when reading silently.
5. Every bullet starts with a verb
"Led," "built," "reduced," "managed." Strong verbs make your experience read as action, not as a job description.
6. The achievements are quantified
Numbers beat adjectives. "Cut response time by 40%" lands harder than "improved response time significantly."
7. It is tailored to the job
Does the CV reflect the keywords and priorities in the job posting? A generic CV reads as generic.
8. The length is right
One page for early career, two pages maximum for most roles. If you are at three pages, you are including things that do not earn their space.
9. Formatting is consistent
Same font, same date format, same bullet style throughout. Inconsistency signals carelessness.
10. No dead white space or cramped sections
The page should breathe but not feel empty. Balance matters.
11. Dates and titles are accurate
Double-check employment dates and job titles. These are the facts a background check will verify.
12. A second pair of eyes
If you can, have someone else read it. They will catch what you have gone blind to.
Run it every time
This is not a one-off. Run the same pass before every application. It takes ten minutes and it is the cheapest quality control you have.