Mistake 3: Irrelevant details

Does it matter to your prospective employer if your eyes are blue and if you belong to the vaishnav gotra of the Brahmin caste?

Chances are it doesn't, unless you are applying for a job that depends on your physical attributes or you are penning down a CV for matrimonial purposes.

Similarly, your star sign, details of family members, list of affiliations to hobby clubs (unless they complement your profession in some way), height, weight, colour of your hair and eyes, complexion and other details are of no consequence to the prospective employer.

Ditch these and use the space to highlight your achievements, your strengths and your qualifications. The latter needs to be to the point. For example, your latest education and degrees are the ones that matter, not your kindergarten marks. So, be stingy here -- include what matters, trash what doesn't.

"I have seen CVs that included details of grandfathers and their professions too. One person had also included his blood group in the CV. These facts make no difference to the employer at all," says Seth.

"Some of them also add their body statistics. This can be entirely done away with unless you are in the showbiz or airline industry.

"Another mistake I have noticed in many CVs is that people mention their religion. This is unnecessary unless the job is for candidates of a specific religion only," says Tushar Guha, managing director of Nrityanjali, an institute for personality development and management services.