Introduction

Your CV is often the first thing an employer sees before deciding whether to invite you for an interview. A good CV does not need to be fancy, long, or filled with big words. It needs to be clear, honest, and easy to understand.

Employers often receive many applications for one job. That means your CV must quickly show who you are, what you can do, and why you are a good fit for the role.

This guide will help you write a CV that looks professional and gets noticed for the right reasons.

What is a CV?

A CV, or curriculum vitae, is a document that summarises your education, work experience, skills, achievements, and contact details.

It helps employers decide whether you meet the basic requirements for a job. Your CV should give them a quick picture of your background and what you can offer.

Why your CV matters

A strong CV can help you:

• Make a good first impression
• Show your skills clearly
• Prove that you match the job requirements
• Stand out from other applicants
• Increase your chances of getting an interview

A weak CV can make it harder for employers to see your potential, even if you are qualified for the job.

Start with your personal details

At the top of your CV, include your basic contact information.

You should include:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address
• City or area where you live
• LinkedIn profile, if you have one

Example:

Name: Thando Mokoena
Phone: 071 123 4567
Email: [email protected]↗
Location: Pretoria, Gauteng

Make sure your email address looks professional. Avoid using nicknames or joke email addresses.

Write a short personal profile

Your personal profile is a short paragraph at the top of your CV. It should explain who you are, what you can do, and what kind of role you are looking for.

Keep it short. Three to five lines is enough.

Example:

I am a reliable and hardworking job seeker with strong communication and customer service skills. I have experience assisting customers, handling basic admin tasks, and working as part of a team. I am looking for an opportunity where I can grow, learn, and contribute positively to the workplace.

If you do not have work experience yet, focus on your strengths, attitude, education, and willingness to learn.

Match your CV to the job

Do not send the exact same CV for every job. Before applying, read the job advert carefully and look at what the employer wants.

Pay attention to:

• Required skills
• Duties and responsibilities
• Qualifications
• Experience needed
• Location
• Application instructions

Then adjust your CV so it highlights the most relevant information.

For example, if the job advert mentions customer service, communication, and teamwork, make sure those skills appear clearly in your CV if you have them.

List your work experience clearly

Your work experience section should show where you worked, your job title, and what you did.

Use this format:

Job title
Company name
Location
Month and year started – Month and year ended

Then list your main duties using short bullet points.

Example:

Cashier
ABC Supermarket
Johannesburg
January 2024 – November 2025

• Assisted customers at the till
• Handled cash and card payments
• Packed items neatly and correctly
• Helped keep the store clean and organised
• Reported customer issues to the supervisor

Start with your most recent job first.

Focus on achievements, not only duties

Many people only list what they were responsible for. To make your CV stronger, include achievements where possible.

Instead of writing:

• Answered customer questions

You could write:

• Assisted more than 30 customers per shift and helped resolve basic product questions

Instead of writing:

• Did admin work

You could write:

• Captured customer information accurately and helped organise office records

Achievements show the employer how you added value.

What to write if you have no work experience

If you do not have formal work experience, you can still create a strong CV.

Include:

• School projects
• Volunteer work
• Community work
• Leadership roles
• Short courses
• Skills
• Personal strengths
• Part-time or informal work

Example:

Volunteer Tutor
Community Study Group
March 2025 – October 2025

• Helped younger learners with homework
• Explained basic English and maths concepts
• Arrived on time and worked well with others
• Communicated respectfully with learners and parents

You can also include informal experience such as helping at a family business, babysitting, assisting at church, selling products, or helping with events.

Add your education

Your education section should include your school, college, university, or training provider.

Use this format:

Qualification or grade completed
Institution name
Year completed or currently studying

Example:

National Senior Certificate / Grade 12
Langa Secondary School
Completed: 2025

If you are still studying, write:

Grade 12
Langa Secondary School
Currently studying

You can also include relevant subjects if they match the job.

Include relevant skills

Your skills section should be easy to read. Choose skills that are useful for the job you are applying for.

Examples of skills to include:

• Communication
• Customer service
• Computer literacy
• Microsoft Word and Excel
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Cash handling
• Data capturing
• Stock control
• Social media
• Basic administration

Do not list skills you do not have. Employers may test your skills during the interview or once you start working.

Use simple and professional formatting

Your CV should be neat and easy to scan.

Use:

• Clear headings
• Short paragraphs
• Bullet points
• Simple fonts
• Consistent spacing
• Black text on a white background

Avoid:

• Too many colours
• Unclear designs
• Long blocks of text
• Spelling mistakes
• Unprofessional photos
• Fancy fonts that are hard to read

A clean CV is usually better than an overdesigned one.

Keep your CV the right length

For most job seekers, a CV should be one to two pages.

One page is usually enough if you are a school leaver, student, or first-time job seeker. Two pages are fine if you have more experience.

Avoid making your CV too long. Employers want the most important information quickly.

Add certificates and training

If you have completed any short courses, certificates, workshops, or training programmes, include them.

Examples:

• Computer literacy certificate
• First aid training
• Customer service training
• Driver’s licence
• Security certificate
• Online course certificate
• Learnership or skills programme

Only include certificates that are real and that you can prove if asked.

Include references correctly

References are people who can confirm your character, work ethic, or experience.

Good references can include:

• Former managers
• Teachers
• Lecturers
• Community leaders
• Supervisors
• Volunteer coordinators

You can write:

References available on request

Or you can list them if the job advert asks for references.

Example:

Reference: Ms N. Dlamini
Position: Store Manager
Company: ABC Supermarket
Contact: 071 000 0000

Always ask someone for permission before using them as a reference.

Check your spelling and grammar

Spelling mistakes can make your CV look rushed. Before sending it, read it carefully.

Check that:

• Your phone number is correct
• Your email address is correct
• Company names are spelled correctly
• Dates are accurate
• There are no typing mistakes
• Your CV is saved with a clear file name

A good file name could be:

Thando_Mokoena_CV.pdf

Avoid names like:

mycvfinalfinalnew.pdf

Save your CV as a PDF

Unless the employer asks for a different format, save your CV as a PDF. This helps keep the layout neat when the employer opens it.

A Word document can sometimes change format on another computer. A PDF usually looks the same for everyone.

Common CV mistakes to avoid

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Using an unprofessional email address
• Sending a CV with spelling errors
• Adding false information
• Making the CV too long
• Leaving out contact details
• Using one CV for every job
• Including irrelevant personal information
• Writing long paragraphs that are hard to read
• Forgetting to update your latest experience

Your CV should be honest, focused, and easy to follow.

Quick CV checklist before applying

Before you send your CV, ask yourself:

• Is my contact information correct?
• Does my CV match the job advert?
• Is my personal profile clear?
• Did I include my most relevant skills?
• Is my work experience easy to read?
• Did I check spelling and grammar?
• Is my CV saved as a PDF?
• Is the file name professional?

If you can answer yes to these questions, your CV is ready to send.

Final thoughts

A CV that gets noticed is not about using complicated words or trying to impress employers with too much information. It is about showing your value clearly.

Keep your CV simple, honest, and focused on the job you want. Highlight your strongest skills, include relevant experience, and make sure the document is easy to read.

A strong CV can open the door to interviews, learnerships, internships, and job opportunities. Take your time with it, update it often, and treat it as one of your most important career tools.