Almost every first-time job seeker hits the same wall: the advert asks for experience, and you have never had a job. The good news is that employers hiring for entry-level posts know this. They are looking for evidence that you are reliable, willing to learn and able to do the basics well. A clear, honest CV can show all of that.

Keep it short and simple

  • One page is ideal, and two pages is the maximum. Recruiters often scan a CV for under a minute.
  • Use a clean layout with one readable font, clear headings and consistent dates. Heavy graphics and complicated tables can confuse the online systems that some employers use to read CVs.
  • Save it as a PDF unless the advert says otherwise, and name the file clearly, for example Thandi-Mokoena-CV.pdf.

What to put on it, in this order

1. Contact details

Your full name, cellphone number, a professional email address (a simple version of your name works best) and your town and province. A photo is not required. Only add your ID number if the employer asks for it, because it is sensitive personal information that criminals use for fraud.

2. A short personal statement

Two or three lines at the top saying who you are, what you offer and the kind of work you want. For example: “Recent Grade 12 graduate with strong mathematics results, good computer skills and experience organising school events. Looking for an entry-level administration role where I can learn and grow.” Change it for each application.

3. Education

List your highest qualification first. Give the school or institution, the year you finished (or expect to finish), and the subjects or modules that are relevant to the job. If your matric results are good, or the advert asks for them, include them. Add short courses and online certificates as well.

4. Skills

Be specific. Instead of “good with computers”, write “Microsoft Word, Excel (basic formulas) and email”. Include the languages you speak and your level in each, and your driver's licence code if you have one. South Africa is multilingual, and speaking several languages is a real advantage in many roles.

5. Experience that counts

“No experience” usually means no paid experience. All of these belong on your CV, described the way you would describe a job (what you did and what you achieved):

  • Volunteering, and community or church projects
  • School or campus leadership, such as being a prefect or captain of a society or sports team
  • Holiday jobs, informal work, tutoring or helping in a family business
  • Projects from your studies, such as a research assignment or a website you built

Use short bullet points that start with an action word: organised, helped, trained, managed, supported. Mention results where you honestly can, such as how many people you helped or how often you did it.

6. Achievements and interests

Awards, academic prizes, sports colours or leadership recognition. Keep interests brief and relevant.

7. References

Two people who can speak about your character or work, such as a teacher, lecturer, coach or community leader (not family). Always ask their permission first. If you are short of space, “References available on request” is acceptable.

Tailor it to every advert

Read the advert carefully and note the skills and duties it lists. Where they are true for you, use the same words in your CV. A general CV sent to fifty employers usually does worse than a tailored one sent to ten.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Lying or exaggerating. Qualifications and employment are routinely verified, and a lie can cost you a job even after you have started.
  • Spelling and grammar errors. Read your CV aloud, and ask someone you trust to check it.
  • An unprofessional email address or voicemail greeting.
  • Unexplained gaps. If you spent time looking for work, studying or caring for family, say so in one line.
  • Sending the same CV unchanged to every employer.

Next steps

Once your CV is ready, browse current jobs, internships and learnerships that welcome first-time applicants, and read how to avoid fake adverts in our Blog. Remember: you should never have to pay to apply for a job.