How to Write a CV That Actually Gets Read

Most CVs are never read properly. A recruiter with two hundred applications spends seconds on each, and at big companies a piece of software screens you out before a human even looks. So the goal of a CV isn't to tell your whole life story - it's to make the match between you and this job obvious in the first few seconds. Do that, and you'll get interviews with the same experience that was getting you ignored.

What goes on it (and in what order)

1. Your details and a short summary. Name, phone number, a professional email address (firstname.surname@…, not partyanimal2009@…), and your city. Then two or three lines: who you are, your strongest skills, and what you're looking for.
2. Work experience, newest first. For each role: job title, employer, and dates. Then two or three bullet points that say what you achieved, not just what you were told to do. "Increased weekend sales by handling the busiest till" beats "responsible for sales".
3. Education and qualifications. Your highest and most relevant first. Include your matric if that's your highest level - it counts.
4. Skills. Practical, relevant skills: languages you speak, computer programs, a driver's licence, anything the job asks for.
5. References. Two people who'll speak well of you - and ask them first. "References available on request" is also fine.

What to leave off

• Your full ID number and date of birth. You email your CV to strangers; that's a fraud risk. Provide ID details only when a specific application requires them.
• A photo. Optional in South Africa, and never required. Leave it off unless asked.
• Walls of text. Bullet points, not paragraphs.
• Lies. They unravel at the interview or the reference check.

Get past the software

Larger employers use Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) that scans your CV before a person sees it. To survive it:

• Use a simple layout - no fancy columns, text boxes or graphics the software can't read.
• Use standard headings: Experience, Education, Skills.
• Mirror the advert's words. If it asks for "stock control" and "customer service", and you've done those, use those exact phrases.

Tailor it every time

The biggest mistake is sending the same CV to every job. Keep one master CV, then for each application spend five minutes moving your most relevant experience to the top and matching the wording to the advert. A tailored CV with modest experience beats a generic CV with great experience.

Build one for free, right now

You don't need to pay a "CV service". Our free CV Builder lets you fill in your details and get a clean, recruiter-friendly CV you can save as a PDF and print - with nothing saved or sent anywhere. Write it once, then tweak it for each job, and put your money toward data and transport to interviews instead.