Almost 50 per cent of CVs to small to medium-sized enterprises (SME) are packed with grammatical errors, a survey has found.

According to the results of a study by the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC), errors are most likely to be found in the CVs of those between the ages of 21 and 25.

Furthermore, the study also identified that over 60 per cent of CVs containing errors were likely to have come from men.

"Candidates who make errors run the risk of missing out on being short listed for a job for which they may have the right experience and qualifications," said Marcia Roberts, chief executive of the REC.

"The findings show that jobseekers should first pay more attention to getting the basics right," she added.

Common errors include many standard typing errors, in addition to the misspelling of Curriculum Vitae.

With over 12,000 members, the REC is the UK's largest body representing the country's recruitment sector.