The Good, the Bad and the Copy-Pasted

The Good, the Bad and the Copy-Pasted – Insights from a Week of CV Reviews

As a risk and compliance recruiter, reviewing CVs is a daily ritual. Some weeks, though, particularly when I have multiple roles on the go, we have the standout stars to forgettable formats, and yes, a few copy-paste catastrophes.

After a full week of deep-diving into candidate submissions, here are some candid (and hopefully helpful) observations from the front lines of talent spotting.

The Good CV: When It All Comes Together

Let’s start on a positive note. The “good” CVs are a pleasure to read. They're clear, tailored, and give an immediate sense of who the candidate is and what they bring to the table. A few things these CVs consistently have in common:

• Concise storytelling – They don’t just list responsibilities; they explain outcomes. For example: "Led a compliance audit project that identified £2.3m in cost savings."
• Customisation – These CVs are aligned with the role being applied for. Keywords from the job description are woven in naturally.
• Professional presentation – Clean formatting, consistent fonts, and sensible use of white space can make all the difference. Design doesn’t have to be flashy – it just needs to be user-friendly.
• Tone of voice – Even in a formal document like a CV, personality can shine through. A confident, professional tone -without slipping into arrogance – always helps. 

The Bad CV: Where Things Fall Flat

Then there are the CVs that just don’t land. Not because the candidate lacks experience, but because the document doesn’t do them justice. Here’s what often goes wrong:

• Overly generic content – “Hard-working team player” appears so often it may as well be white noise. If your CV sounds like everyone else’s, it won’t stand out.
• Cluttered layout – Walls of text, inconsistent bullet points, and a lack of hierarchy make it hard for recruiters to find key information.
• Chronological confusion – Dates that don’t add up or a lack of structure can lead to assumptions about gaps or instability, even if that’s not the case.
• No context – Listing job titles without explaining the scale, sector, or specific responsibilities is a missed opportunity to demonstrate relevance.

The Copy-Pasted CV: A Hidden Epidemic

Now, onto the real head-scratcher: the copy-pasted CV. This phenomenon ranges from obviously lifted job descriptions to suspiciously similar summaries across different candidates. Recruiters can spot this a mile off. It’s not just uninspiring, it raises red flags:

1. Is this the candidate’s own work?
2. Do they understand their own experience?
3. Are they genuinely interested in this role?

Originality and authenticity are key for CV writing tips. Even if you’re using a template (which is fine!), ensure your content is personal, specific, and true to your experience. A CV is your career story-not a Wikipedia entry.

Final Thoughts

Your CV is often your first impression, your foot in the door. Make it count.

It doesn’t need to be perfect, but it does need to be honest, tailored, and easy to read. If you’re applying to roles that genuinely excite you, take the time to reflect that in your application. The difference is obvious and much appreciated!

For employers needing candidates

For candidates needing opportunities

How To Write A Good CV

For more top tips on writing the best CV for a job from one of UKs leading risk and compliance recruiters, get in touch with us here at Oxbow Resourcing - Your Risk and Compliance Recruitment Partner.

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