CV for first job: a complete school-leaver example (South Africa)

Writing a CV for first job applications when you have little or no work experience? Your goal is to show employers that you're reliable, ready to learn and able to back up your skills with real examples. Below you'll find what to include, what to avoid, and a complete school-leaver CV example you can copy and adapt.

What should a CV for first job include if you have no experience?

A school-leaver CV is not "empty". It's just organised differently. Instead of leading with work history, you lead with what you can offer.

Include these sections:

• Contact details: a professional email, cell number and your area or suburb.
• Career objective: 2–3 lines saying which job you want and why you're a good fit.
• Education: matric (NSC), school, year and key subjects. Results are optional.
• Skills: a mix of practical skills (like computer skills) and people skills, each with an example.
• Projects and school activities: group projects, leadership roles, committees, sport, choir and so on.
• Volunteering or community work: even a few hours counts if it shows responsibility.
• Achievements: awards, leadership roles, good attendance, academic or sport results.
• Short courses: computer literacy, first aid, online courses and similar.
• References: teachers, coaches, faith leaders or community leaders, with their permission.

What the employer is really checking: for entry-level jobs, recruiters mostly want to know if you'll show up on time, follow instructions, treat customers well and learn quickly. Every section of your CV should help answer "yes" to those questions.

If you're unsure which sections to keep, see our section-by-section guide on what to put on a CV. For more ideas when you have nothing to list under work, read how to write a CV with no experience.

How long should a first job CV be?

For a school leaver, one page is usually enough.

Two pages is only fine if you have meaningful extras (several projects, volunteering, leadership roles or short courses) and it still reads cleanly.

• Keep it easy to scan: short bullet points, clear headings and enough white space.
• Put the most relevant things first: move sections around so the strongest one sits near the top.
• Save space: for basic entry-level work, list only your key subjects, not every subject.

Need help fitting everything in? See our tips for a one-page CV in South Africa.

First job CV template: copy-and-paste school leaver CV (South Africa)

Use this as your first job CV template. Replace everything in [square brackets] with your own details and keep the formatting the same throughout.

A few rules before you start:

1. Delete sections that don't apply to you. No short courses? Remove that section rather than leaving it empty.
2. Only write what is true. If you can't work weekends, don't say you can.
3. Change the job title and skills for each job you apply for.

If you're building your CV online, you can also create a free CV and edit each section one at a time.

What if you have nothing for a section? That's normal. Most school leavers won't have every section. Two strong projects and one activity are better than six weak lines. Not sure who to ask? See how to list references on a CV.

How to write a strong objective for your CV for first job

Your objective matters more when you don't have work experience. It tells the employer what job you want and why you're a safe, sensible hire.

Keep it short and specific:

• Include the job title: "seeking an entry-level cashier role", not "any job".
• Show you're reliable: mention attendance, responsibilities, leadership or volunteering.
• Match the job advert: if the advert mentions "customer service" or "accuracy", use those exact words, as long as they're true for you.

Weak: "I am a hardworking person looking for any job to gain experience."

Why it's weak: it doesn't name a job, gives no proof and is about what you want, not what you can offer.

Strong (retail example):

For more examples you can adapt, see our CV personal statement examples.

What to put under skills (without sounding generic)

Employers see "hardworking" on almost every CV. The trick is to add a short proof line so your skill becomes believable.

• Instead of: "Good communication"
  Write: "Good communication – presented projects to my class and helped at school event registration."
• Instead of: "Team player"
  Write: "Teamwork – worked in a group of 4 to complete a term project and meet weekly deadlines."
• Instead of: "Computer literate"
  Write: "Computer skills – Word for formatting, basic Excel for tables and simple calculations, email and online forms."

Want more ideas? Browse our list of skills to put on a CV. Keep your skills the same on your CV and your online profile. You can update your CV profile anytime.

Education: how to list matric on a school leaver CV

For most first jobs, you don't need to list every subject mark. Include the essentials and highlight what supports the job.

• Always include: your qualification (NSC/Matric), school, town and year completed.
• Include key subjects: especially relevant ones, e.g. Maths for admin, Business Studies for retail, CAT or IT for office jobs.
• Add results only if they help: good symbols (your marks or levels per subject), distinctions or clear improvement.

Here's how a short education section can look:

For a deeper walkthrough on subjects, symbols and pass types, read our guide on how to list your matric certificate on a CV.

What documents should you prepare with your first job CV?

Many South African entry-level applications ask for supporting documents. Prepare a tidy folder, both on your phone and printed, so you can apply quickly when you see a good job.

• Certified copy of your ID (if requested)
• Matric certificate or statement of results (if requested)
• Proof of address (if requested)
• Certificates for any short courses (if relevant)

A "certified copy" is a photocopy that has been stamped and signed by someone authorised to confirm it matches the original, such as a commissioner of oaths.

If you're unsure what to certify or how long a certification is valid, see our guide on certified copies for job applications.

Common mistakes that make a CV for first job look weak

• An unprofessional email address.
  Fix: create a simple one like name.surname@gmail.com.
• Personal details that can cause bias.
  Fix: leave out your ID number, religion, marital status and full home address. Your suburb and city are enough.
• Listing tasks without proof.
  Fix: show results, e.g. "helped organise an event for 200 learners" (only if accurate).
• Spelling and formatting errors.
  Fix: use one font, check your dates and line up your bullet points. Ask someone to read it before you send it.
• Too long and unfocused.
  Fix: cut anything that doesn't help you get this job. One strong page beats two messy pages.

See more pitfalls in our list of common CV mistakes.

How to tailor your CV for different first jobs (retail, admin, hospitality)

You can keep one base CV and change three things for each application:

1. Your objective (use the job title from the advert).
2. The order of your skills (most relevant first).
3. Your project and volunteering bullets (choose the examples that fit the job best).

For a step-by-step method, read how to tailor your CV to a job description.

Retail (shop assistant, cashier)

• Bring forward "customer service", "cash handling (willing to learn)", "accuracy" and "working weekends".
• Add examples of dealing with people: school events, fundraising, being team captain.

See a full retail assistant CV example.

Admin / reception

• Bring forward "email", "MS Word", "basic Excel", "filing" and "professional communication".
• Add school projects involving documents, reports, presentations or schedules.

See a full admin clerk CV example.

Hospitality (waiter, runner, kitchen assistant)

• Bring forward "fast learner", "cleanliness", "teamwork", "stamina" and "customer service".
• Add volunteering that shows service and following instructions.

See a full waiter CV example.

Choosing a CV layout that looks professional

A clean design helps your CV get read. Keep it simple: clear headings, one font and the same spacing throughout.

Avoid photos of the CV, heavy colours and tables full of text. Some companies use software (called an ATS, or applicant tracking system) to scan CVs, and simple layouts are easier for it to read.

If you want to change the look without retyping everything, you can choose a CV design and preview options. For more layout tips, see our CV layout guide.

Quick checklist before you send your CV for first job

• Is the job title mentioned in your objective?
• Do your skills include proof, not only words like "hardworking"?
• Are your dates and school details correct?
• Did you ask your references for permission and confirm their contact details?
• Did you save it as a PDF with a clear file name (e.g. "Thato-Mokoena-CV.pdf")?

Ready to send? Read how to email your CV, and if the employer wants a cover letter, start with our cover letter template.

How CV Hub can help you apply faster

When you're applying for lots of entry-level jobs, you need to build, edit and resend your CV quickly. CV Hub lets you keep one profile and update it as you go.

• Create a free CV and start with the template above.
• Come back anytime to log in to CV Hub and download an updated version.
• Keep your details current as you gain experience: update your CV profile after short courses, volunteering or interviews.

If you get stuck on formatting, sections or downloads, you can read the CV Hub FAQ or contact CV Hub.