A good CV is clear, concise (one to two pages), and tailored to the job you're applying for. It leads with your contact details and a short profile, then lists your skills, education and any experience, with your most relevant and recent information first. Even with little experience, you can stand out by highlighting skills, achievements and a genuine interest in the role.
What to include
- Contact details — full name, phone number, professional email, city.
- A short profile — two or three lines on who you are and what you offer.
- Skills — relevant hard and soft skills, matched to the job.
- Education — qualifications, institution and year (plus key subjects/marks for school-leavers).
- Experience — jobs, learnerships, internships, volunteering (with what you achieved).
- References — 'available on request' is fine.
How to stand out with little experience
- 1Lead with skills and any projects, volunteering or part-time work.
- 2Use action words and quantify results where you can (e.g. 'served 50+ customers a day').
- 3Tailor your CV to each job — mirror the words in the advert.
- 4Keep the design clean and easy to scan; avoid clutter and photos of documents.
- 5Proofread carefully — spelling and grammar errors cost interviews.
Tailor, don't spray
A CV adjusted to each specific job beats a generic one sent everywhere. A few minutes matching your CV to the advert dramatically improves your response rate.
How long should a CV be?+
One to two pages. For a first job or learnership, one focused page is often ideal. Recruiters skim quickly, so keep it clear and relevant.
What should I put on my CV with no work experience?+
Focus on your skills, education, subjects, projects, volunteering, part-time work and achievements. Show your potential and willingness to learn, and tailor it to the specific role.
Should I include a photo on my CV?+
It's generally not necessary in South Africa and can introduce bias. A clean, well-written CV matters far more than a photo.
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