Keep It to Two Pages

South African recruiters spend an average of seven seconds on a first pass. A CV longer than two pages signals an inability to prioritise. Cut everything that isn't recent, relevant, or quantified.

The Structure That Works

  • Header: Name, city, phone, email, LinkedIn. No photo, no ID number, no marital status.
  • Professional summary: Three lines, tailored to the specific role.
  • Experience: Reverse chronological, each bullet starting with an action verb and ending with a measurable result.
  • Education & certifications.
  • Skills: Concrete and verifiable, not "good communicator".
"Show me numbers. 'Reduced reporting time by 40%' beats 'responsible for reporting' every single time."
— Talent Acquisition Manager, Johannesburg

What Disqualifies You Instantly

Spelling errors, a generic objective copied across applications, an unprofessional email address, and unexplained employment gaps. Address gaps briefly and move on — silence reads worse than honesty.

Beat the ATS

Most large SA employers screen CVs with applicant tracking software. Mirror the exact keywords from the job advert, use a clean single-column layout, and submit as a PDF unless told otherwise.