How to Write a CV for Your First Job in South Africa

Writing your first CV can feel overwhelming — but it doesn't have to be. Employers in South Africa spend an average of 6 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to read it properly. This guide will help you make those 6 seconds count.

What Should a South African CV Include?

A standard South African CV should have these sections:

1. Personal details — Name, phone, email, and location (city is enough — no full address needed)
2. Personal statement / profile — 3–5 sentences summarising who you are and what you offer
3. Education — Your qualifications, starting with the most recent
4. Work experience — Any jobs, internships, or volunteer work
5. Skills — Both hard skills (e.g. Microsoft Excel) and soft skills (e.g. communication)
6. References — "Available on request" is acceptable for entry-level roles

CV Format Tips

DO:

• Use a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman size 11–12)
• Use bullet points for work experience
• Save as PDF before sending
• Tailor it to each job application

DON'T:

• Include a photo (unless specifically requested)
• Include your ID number on your CV
• List hobbies unless they're relevant
• Use coloured backgrounds or excessive graphics

Writing Your Personal Statement

This is your elevator pitch. Keep it to 3–5 sentences:

"I am a recently qualified Grade 12 learner from Johannesburg with a strong interest in technology and problem-solving. I completed my matric with distinctions in Mathematics and Physical Sciences. I am eager to gain practical experience in the IT sector and contribute positively to a dynamic team."

How to Write About Work Experience (Even If You Have None)

If you haven't had a formal job, you can still include:

• School projects or leadership roles (SRC, sports captain, prefect)
• Community work or volunteering
• Part-time work (babysitting, helping in a family business, tutoring)
• Internships or job shadowing

For each entry, use the STAR format: Situation → Task → Action → Result.

Example: "Coordinated a fundraising event for the school feeding scheme, raising R8,000 and providing meals for 200 learners over two weeks."

Skills Section

Be specific. Instead of "good communication skills," write:

• "Presented weekly updates to a team of 12 during a school project"
• "Wrote weekly articles for the school newsletter (1,200+ readers)"

References

You need at least 2 references:

• A teacher or school principal for entry-level/first jobs
• A previous employer or community leader if you have experience

Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference.

Use AI to Build Your CV Faster

Our free CV Builder guides you through each section and generates a professional, ATS-friendly CV that you can download as a PDF.

After Your CV: Interview Preparation

Once your CV gets you an interview, you need to be ready. Practice common interview questions and learn how to structure your answers using our free Interview Prep tool.