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CV Writing Guide
How to Write a South African CV That Gets Noticed in 2024
In a competitive job market where a single position in Johannesburg can attract hundreds of applicants, your CV is your first — and sometimes only — chance to make an impression. South African employers have specific expectations that differ from CV conventions in the UK, USA, or Australia. Understanding these nuances can be the difference between landing an interview and landing in the bin.
This guide covers everything you need to know to craft a powerful, professional CV tailored to the South African context, whether you are applying to a government department, a listed JSE company, or an SMME in Cape Town's growing tech scene.
1. The Right Length: Two to Three Pages Maximum
South African hiring managers generally expect a CV of two to three pages. A one-page CV is perfectly acceptable for recent graduates and entry-level candidates. Senior professionals with 15+ years of experience may stretch to four pages, but anything longer risks losing the reader's attention. Unlike the United States where a résumé is strictly one page, South African CVs typically include a professional summary, full employment history, education, and references.
2. Personal Details: What to Include and What to Leave Out
South African CVs traditionally include personal details such as your full name, contact number, email address, current location (city and province), and ID number or work permit status. You may also include your nationality and a professional photograph, although this is increasingly optional due to employment equity considerations. You are not required to include your race, gender, or disability status in your CV, though these may be captured on a separate application form for BEE compliance purposes.
💡 Pro Tip: Always include your province and whether you're open to relocation. Many South African employers advertise nationally but prefer local candidates to avoid relocation costs.
3. Professional Summary: Your 5-Second Pitch
Start with a two to four sentence professional summary that tells the recruiter who you are, what you do, and what value you bring. This should be tailored to each application. Avoid generic phrases like "hard-working team player" — instead, be specific: "Qualified CA(SA) with 7 years in financial services, specialising in IFRS reporting and treasury management for JSE-listed entities."
4. Work Experience: Format and South African Context
List your work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first). For each role, include the company name, your job title, the dates of employment (month and year), and a bullet-point list of your key responsibilities and achievements. Where possible, quantify your achievements: "Managed a team of 12" is stronger than "Managed a team." "Reduced operational costs by 22% over 18 months" is far more compelling than "Improved operational efficiency."
South African employers also appreciate context around the companies you've worked for, especially if they are smaller or regional businesses. A brief descriptor — "a Durban-based logistics company with R120 million annual turnover" — helps the recruiter understand the scale of your experience.
5. Education: SAQA Equivalence and Professional Registrations
List your highest qualifications first, including the institution, qualification name, and year of completion. If you have foreign qualifications, mention that they are SAQA-evaluated. Professional registrations are extremely important in South Africa — if you are a registered engineer (ECSA), nurse (SANC), teacher (SACE), or accountant (SAICA/CIMA), include your registration number prominently. This is often a hard requirement for hiring.
6. References: Include Them
Unlike many Western conventions where references are listed as "available on request," South African employers generally expect two to three contactable references on the CV itself. Include the reference's full name, title, company, and phone number. Always inform your references before applying and confirm they are comfortable being contacted.
Need a professionally designed CV template? Browse our free South African CV templates →