A recruiter often spends less than a minute on a first read of a CV. In South Africa, where popular adverts can attract hundreds of applications, the goal is simple: make it easy to see that you meet the requirements in the advert.
How long should a South African CV be?
One page if you are a school leaver or have little experience; two pages for most people with work history. Longer CVs are normal only for senior, academic or highly technical roles.
A simple format
- Name and contact details: phone number, a professional email address, and your town or suburb. A full street address is not needed.
- Short profile (2–3 lines): who you are and the kind of role you want, using words from the advert.
- Qualifications: highest first. Matric (with subjects if the advert mentions maths, science or languages), certificates, diplomas, degrees, and NQF level where you know it.
- Experience: most recent first: job title, employer, dates, and 2–4 bullet points on what you did and achieved.
- Skills: software (e.g. Excel, Pastel), languages you speak, driver's licence code if relevant.
- References: two people who can vouch for you, or “Available on request”.
No work experience yet?
Employers hiring for entry-level roles look for evidence that you are reliable and can learn. Use:
- School leadership roles, sports teams, church or community volunteering.
- Part-time or informal work: helping in a family business, tutoring, piece jobs.
- Short courses and online certificates, with the provider's name.
- Projects you can show, such as a website, a spreadsheet you built or an event you organised.
What to leave out
- Your ID number. Share it only once you have verified the employer and are at the offer or vetting stage. Scammers collect ID numbers.
- Marital status, religion, and a photo, unless the advert specifically asks for them.
- Salary history: discuss expectations in the interview instead.
- Every certificate attached by default: send copies only when asked, and never originals.
Tailor it for each application
Read the advert's requirements and make sure each one you meet is visible: in your profile, experience bullets or skills. Many large employers screen CVs with software that looks for the words used in the advert, so use the same terms (for example “debtors” rather than only “accounts receivable” if that is what the advert says).
Before you send it
- Save as PDF and name the file clearly, e.g.
Thandi-Nkosi-CV.pdf. - Check your phone number and email twice.
- Ask someone to proofread for spelling errors.
- Never pay anyone to “guarantee” your CV gets a job; legitimate employers don't charge to apply.