CV TIPS

CV WRITING TIPS FOR JOB APPLICANTS
A practical guide to preparing a professional, clear and interview-winning CV
1. Keep Your CV Clear and Professional
Use a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts, headings and spacing.
For most applicants, 1–2 pages is sufficient; include more only when your experience genuinely requires it.
Avoid excessive colours, decorative graphics, emojis and complicated designs unless the profession calls for creativity.
Save the final document as PDF when submitting electronically, unless the employer requests Word format.
2. Start With Strong Contact Details
Include your full name, active phone number, professional email address and location (city/region).
Use a professional email address.
Do not include unnecessary personal information such as religion, marital status or national identification numbers unless specifically required.
3. Write a Short Professional Profile
Begin with 3–5 lines summarising who you are, your key strengths, experience and the type of role you are seeking.
Tailor the profile to the job instead of using the same statement for every application.
4. Highlight Relevant Skills
List skills that match the vacancy, such as communication, teamwork, leadership, customer service, ICT, problem-solving or classroom management.
Give evidence of important skills in your work experience rather than simply listing them.
5. Present Work Experience Effectively
List jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position.
For each role, include job title, organisation, location and dates.
Use action words such as managed, coordinated, taught, analysed, developed, supervised, prepared and implemented.
Focus on achievements and measurable results where possible, not only duties.
6. Education and Professional Qualifications
List your highest or most relevant qualifications first.
Include institution, qualification, field of study and year completed.
Add professional training, certifications and relevant short courses.
7. Tailor Your CV to the Vacancy
Read the job description carefully and identify the employer's required qualifications, skills and experience.
Use relevant keywords naturally in your profile, skills and experience sections.
Remove information that is unrelated to the position when space is limited.
8. Show Achievements
Instead of writing 'Responsible for teaching students', write a result-focused statement such as 'Planned and delivered learner-centred lessons and supported improved learner participation.'
Use numbers when they add credibility—for example, team size, projects completed, learners supported or targets achieved.
9. Check Your CV Before Sending
Proofread spelling, grammar, dates, telephone numbers and email address.
Make sure employment dates do not conflict.
Check that headings and formatting are consistent.
Ask a trusted person to review the CV before submission.
10. Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
Submitting the same generic CV for every vacancy.
Including false qualifications, experience or achievements.
Using an unprofessional email address.
Writing long paragraphs instead of concise bullet points.
Including irrelevant information.
Having spelling and grammatical errors.
Using an unclear file name such as 'CV final final 2.docx'.
Sending a CV without checking the employer's application instructions.
11. Recommended CV Structure
Full Name & Contact Details
Professional Profile / Career Summary
Key Skills
Work Experience
Education & Qualifications
Professional Training / Certifications
Achievements / Projects (where relevant)
Professional Memberships (where relevant)
Referees
12. Final Checklist Before Applying
☐ Does my CV match the job I am applying for?
☐ Is my contact information correct?
☐ Is my most relevant experience easy to find?
☐ Have I shown achievements rather than only duties?
☐ Have I checked spelling and grammar?
☐ Are my dates and qualifications accurate?
☐ Is the file named professionally, e.g. 'Andambike_Mwambungu_CV.pdf'?
☐ Have I followed all application instructions?
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