How to Create a CV That Actually Gets Read
A good CV = clear, tailored, and skimmable in 6 seconds. Here’s the playbook:
- Pick Your Format
- Reverse chronological: Best for 90% of people. Most recent job first.
- Skills-based/functional: Only if you have big gaps or changing careers.
- One page: 0-10 years experience. Two pages max: 10+ years or academia/research.
- Structure That Works Every Time
Heade
- Name – make it big
- Phone | Email | City | LinkedIn/GitHub/portfolio
- Skip: Full address, photo, birth date – unless you’re in a country where it’s standard
Professional Summary – 2-3 lines
Not “Hardworking team player.” Try:
Marketing coordinator with 3 years driving 40% growth in email engagement for SaaS startups. Skilled in HubSpot, A/B testing, and content strategy.
Work Experience
For each role: Job Title | Company | Dates | City
Then 3-4 bullets using this formula: Accomplished X as measured by Y by doing Z - Increased social media engagement 65% by launching UGC campaign across Instagram and TikTok TikTok
- Managed $50k quarterly budget and reduced costs 12% through vendor renegotiation
Use numbers. % signs, R/$ amounts, people managed, etc.
Education
Degree | University | Grad Year
Skip high school if you have uni. Add relevant coursework, honors, GPA if 3.5+ and you’re a recent grad.
Skills
Split into categories: Technical: Python, SQL, Figma | Languages: English, Zulu, Afrikaans
Only list skills you’d be comfortable with in an interview.
Optional Sections - Projects: Great for tech/creative roles or if you lack experience
- Certifications: Google Analytics, AWS, PMP, etc.
- Volunteer work: Shows character + fills gaps
- Publications/Awards: If relevant
- Writing Rules That Matter
[Your Name]
Johannesburg, GP | 082 123 4567 | name@email.com | linkedin.com/in/yourname
Summary
[Role] with [X years] experience in [industry/skill]. [Key achievement with number]. Skilled in [3 tools/areas from job post].
Experience
[Job Title] | [Company] | [Month Year – Month Year]
- Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]
- Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]
- Accomplished [X] as measured by [Y] by doing [Z]
Education
[Degree] | [University] | [Year]
Skills
Technical: X, Y, Z | Software: X, Y | Languages: X, Y
