A new report by InterExec has revealed the most common mistakes made by senior executives on their CV, with executives apparently not selling themselves enough on their accomplishments.

According to headhunters, the top three mistakes are being duties-driven rather than accomplishments-driven; having a CV too long; and putting in irrelevant information. 

In addition, a significant number of headhunters that said using too much jargon and lack of attention to detail were also common mistakes.

The report, which was conducted by InterExec, the confidential agent that represents senior executives seeking positions paying £200,000 to £1m+, surveyed 100 of the top senior executive headhunters across the UK.

The headhunters were asked ‘what are the top three most common mistakes made by senior executives on their CVs?’:

• Duties-driven rather than accomplishments-driven – 63%

• CV length too long – 54%

• Irrelevant information – 51%

• Too much jargon/abbreviations – 35%

• Lack of attention to detail – 25%

• Lack of depth – 24%

• CV is skewed when sent as an email attachment – 11%

• Being overly arrogant – 10%

• Incorrect information – 2%

Kit Scott-Brown, managing director of InterExec, says: “Getting your CV absolutely right is key to getting recruited into the top roles. Composing a CV is the first hurdle to jump before getting recruited, but many senior executives still get it wrong.”