CV Tips You Won’t Learn in School

If you’re a South African student, graduate, job seeker, or even a parent helping someone apply for their first job, you’ve likely learned the basics of writing a CV. But what about the real tips—the ones that actually help you land the job?

This guide will give you practical CV strategies that go beyond what’s taught in school. These insights are based on what South African employers really look for and how you can tailor your CV to stand out in a competitive job market.

1. Start Strong with a Personal Summary

Show Your Personality, Professionally

Your personal summary should quickly communicate who you are and what you bring to the table.

Example:
“Recent UJ graduate in Public Relations with internship experience in community radio. Passionate about inclusive storytelling and eager to grow within the media and communications sector.”

Tip: Always tailor this section to the job you’re applying for.

2. No Work Experience? No Problem

Use What You’ve Got

You don’t need formal job experience to impress employers. Include:

• Volunteer work (e.g. tutoring, soup kitchens)
• Freelance gigs (e.g. photography, graphic design)
• Leadership roles (e.g. school clubs, church groups)

Real example:
A student from Soweto used their experience running a local tutoring group to land a teaching assistant role through SAYouth.mobi.

3. Customise Your CV for Every Job

Avoid One-Size-Fits-All CVs

Many South African recruiters use software to scan CVs for keywords. If your CV doesn’t reflect the job advert, it might never be read.

Steps to customise:

• Highlight specific skills mentioned in the job post
• Update your personal summary to suit the role
• Change your job title if needed (e.g. “Admin Intern – Data Entry Focus”)

4. Make Your Skills Section Count

Split into Hard and Soft Skills

This format makes your skills easier to read and more impressive:

Technical Skills

• Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, charts)
• Sage Pastel Accounting
• Canva and basic design

Soft Skills

• Time management
• Communication
• Problem-solving

Tip: Use examples to show you’ve used these skills in real life.

5. Education: Be Specific and Clear

Go Beyond Just “Matric”

List your subjects and achievements.

Example:
National Senior Certificate (2023)
Subjects: Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Sciences
School: ReaThusa Secondary School, Gauteng

If still studying: Mention your college or university, program, and key modules.

6. Don’t Forget Contact Details and Location

Your CV must include:

• Cell number
• Email address
• Area and province (many employers search by location)

Example:
Location: Mamelodi, Pretoria
Phone: 078 456 7890
Email: [email protected]

Tip: Use a professional email address and voicemail message.

7. Include Short Courses and Certifications

Short courses show that you’re proactive.

Where to get them:

• Digify Africa – Digital and marketing skills
• WITS DigitalCampus – Social media and PR
• Coursera / LinkedIn Learning – International platforms
• SAYouth.mobi – Free youth development training

Example:
“Completed Digital Marketing Basics – Digify Africa (2024)”

8. References: Who to List and When

Choose People Who Can Vouch for You

If you’ve never worked, use:

• Teachers
• Pastors or community leaders
• Internship supervisors

Always ask permission and confirm their contact details are still active.

Or simply write:
References available on request.

9. Keep the Layout Simple and Clean

Avoid using:

• Photos
• Fancy fonts
• Bright colours

CV formatting tips:

• Font: Calibri or Arial, size 10–12
• Keep it to 1–2 pages
• Save as a PDF
• Use bold for section headings only

10. What to Do If You Have Gaps in Your CV

It’s okay to have gaps—but explain them briefly and positively.

Example:
2023 – 2024: Focused on completing short courses and volunteering while actively job seeking.

Use this to show your growth and resilience.

Also check: 13 Common CV Mistakes That Stop You from Getting Hired

Your CV is your chance to show employers what you’re made of. Whether you’re in Cape Town, Polokwane, or Durban, these CV tips will help you stand out by showing not just what you’ve done, but what you can do.

Update your CV regularly and tailor it for every job you apply for—it could be the one thing standing between you and your next big opportunity.

Read more: Is a Career in Banking Right for You? Here’s What You Need to Know