Knowing how to write a professional resume is one of the most valuable career skills a job seeker can have. Your curriculum vitae is the first thing a hiring manager sees — this CV writing guide will show you exactly how to write a professional resume that makes recruiters stop, read, and call you for an interview.
Your resume must sell you — fast. A hiring manager uses your CV to screen and shortlist candidates for interview. Recruiters scan job applications — they don't read them word for word. Every section, every line, every word must earn its place. A professionally written and well-organised resume will always outperform a generic template. Use templates only as a starting point. Need help finding the right role? Browse our current job listings or speak to a recruiter today.
A strong resume structure is the foundation of every successful job application. Build yours around these essential sections — in the right order.
Include your name, suburb (not full address), email, landline with international code, and mobile number. Optionally add ID number, marital status, equity status, driving licence and languages.
A short, powerful statement that tells employers who you are as a job seeker, what you're looking for and what drives you. If written poorly it can damage your chances — include it only if it adds real value.
List all academic and non-academic qualifications. Order by date or relevance. Include the qualification name, institution, date obtained and awards. Add professional licences and association memberships.
Your employment history is the heart of your CV. List in reverse chronological order — most recent first. Include internships, voluntary work and part-time roles. Show your job title, start and end dates, duration, duties and the organisation's name. Leave no time gaps unexplained.
Use keywords — not lengthy descriptions. Essential for technical fields like IT. List software packages with proficiency levels and any research or specialist skills not covered elsewhere in your resume.
Consider a dedicated section highlighting standout wins at work and beyond. Concrete achievements set you apart from candidates with identical experience and qualifications.
Keep this brief. Include activities that positively shape a recruiter's perception of you. Avoid anything related to politics, religion or controversial topics that could alienate the reader.
Always ask permission before listing someone as a reference. If you're not ready to share names, the statement "References available upon request" is perfectly acceptable.
Follow every one of these resume writing tips before you send a single job application. Master these and you will know exactly how to write a professional resume that opens doors.
The biggest resume mistake job seekers make is including things they cannot explain. If you get the interview, you must speak confidently to every single line of your CV. Never include anything you cannot expand on or defend under questioning — this is one of the most common CV mistakes to avoid in South Africa and globally. Once your resume is ready, pair it with a strong cover letter for the best results. For additional guidance, the Careers24 advice centre and LinkedIn's resume tips are excellent free resources.
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