Career Guide · CV Writing
How to Write a CV That Gets You Hired in South Africa
A step-by-step breakdown of every section of a South African CV, plus what to do and what to avoid.
Your CV is your first impression. In most cases, a recruiter spends less than 30 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to read further. A clear, well-structured CV tailored to the role dramatically increases your chances of getting an interview.
CV Sections Explained
Do's
- Keep it to 2 pages maximum (1 page for entry-level)
- Use a clean, professional font like Arial or Calibri at 10–12pt
- Use consistent formatting throughout
- Tailor your CV for each application
- Proofread carefully — spelling errors are the #1 reason CVs get rejected
- Save it as a PDF unless told otherwise
- Name the file professionally: e.g. John_Doe_CV.pdf
Don'ts
- Don't include a photo unless specifically requested
- Don't use excessive colour, graphics, or fancy templates
- Don't list irrelevant jobs from more than 10 years ago
- Don't use the same CV for every application
- Don't include salary expectations unless asked
- Don't write in third person ('John is a dedicated...')
- Don't lie or exaggerate — it will come out in interviews
Pro Tip: Tailor Every Application
Read the job description carefully and mirror the language they use. If they say they want someone with "stakeholder management experience," use that exact phrase in your CV (if it's true). Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that filter CVs by keywords before a human ever sees them.