What to put on a CV: complete section-by-section guide
A practical, South Africa-specific breakdown of what to put on a CV, with the exact sections to include, what to leave out, and a copy-and-paste example you can adapt.
Knowing what to put on a CV makes job hunting much less stressful. This guide takes you through every section, in order, with South African examples you can copy and change.
Quick answer:
- Always include: your name and contact details, a short profile, key skills, work experience (or practical experience), and education.
- Add if you have them: training and certificates, projects, volunteering, languages and references.
- Leave out: your full ID number, street address, marital status, religion and a photo (unless the advert asks for one).
- Keep it easy to scan: clear headings, bullet points, and the same date style throughout.
What to put on a CV (quick checklist)
Most South African CVs use the same standard sections. Recruiters expect them, so stick to these headings and this order:
- Header: name and contact details (cell number, email, location)
- Professional profile: 2–4 lines that match the job
- Key skills: 6–12 skills relevant to the job
- Work experience: jobs, duties and achievements
- Education: highest qualification first (degree, diploma, matric)
- Training and certificates: short courses, licences, accreditation
- Projects, volunteering or leadership: especially useful for graduates and school leavers
- References: 2–3 people, or "Available on request"
Want to know why this order works? See the best order of sections for a South African CV.
For a fast start, you can create a free CV and fill in each section as you go. Then choose a CV design when you're ready to apply.
CV header: what personal details to include (and what to avoid)
The header is the top part of your CV. It tells the employer who you are, how to reach you, and where you live.
A recruiter checks this in seconds. If your number is wrong or your email looks unprofessional, they may simply move on to the next CV.
Include
- Full name: the same as on your ID or passport.
- Cell number: one you answer. Make sure your voicemail sounds professional, or switch it off.
- Email address: a simple one based on your name, e.g. thandi.mokoena@gmail.com.
- Location: town or city plus province is enough, e.g. "Bloemfontein, Free State".
- LinkedIn or portfolio link: optional, but useful for design, IT and writing jobs.
Weak email: sexyboi99@gmail.com
Strong email: sipho.ndlovu@gmail.com
ID number on a South African CV: should you include it?
This is a very common South African question. For most private-sector jobs, you don't need to put your full ID number on your CV.
If a form asks for it later, you can give it at that stage. Some government or regulated jobs may ask for your ID number during the application process. Even then, it's safer not to put it on a CV that gets shared widely.
Practical compromise: leave out your ID number. Only add your date of birth if the employer asks for it (many employers don't need it either). When in doubt, follow the instructions in the job advert.
Driver's licence conventions (South Africa)
If the job involves driving, mention your licence clearly and briefly:
- Driver's licence: state the code, e.g. Code B (manual), Code B (automatic only), Code C1.
- Own transport: only mention this if it's true and relevant.
If the job doesn't involve driving or travel, this line is optional.
Avoid
- Your full street address, unless the employer asks for it
- Marital status, religion, or other personal details that have nothing to do with the job
- A selfie-style photo (only add a photo if the employer asks for one)
Professional profile: a short summary that actually helps
Your professional profile (sometimes called a summary or personal statement) is 2–4 lines at the top of your CV. It says who you are, what you can do, and what job you want.
Use words from the job advert, but don't copy it word-for-word. A recruiter reading this wants to know one thing: "Is this person a match for my job?"
Good profile formula
- Who you are: graduate, junior admin assistant, career changer, etc.
- Strengths: 2–3 strengths that fit the job.
- Proof: a short proof point (experience, project, tools, results).
- Target: the job you're applying for.
Weak: "I am a hardworking, passionate person looking for any job."
Strong: the example below, because it names real skills, says where you got them, and names the job.
Profile
Detail-oriented administration graduate with strong MS Excel, filing and customer service skills developed through a 6-month workplace placement. Comfortable handling front-desk queries, scheduling and document control. Seeking an entry-level administrative assistant role.
For more examples, read how to write a personal profile on a CV.
Key skills: what to include in a CV South Africa (without exaggerating)
The skills section helps recruiters scan your CV quickly. Many big companies also use ATS software (a computer system that sorts CVs), which looks for skills that match the advert.
Include a mix of:
- Technical skills: things you can do or tools you can use, e.g. MS Excel, POS systems.
- Soft skills: how you work with people and tasks, e.g. communication, teamwork.
Only list skills you can back up in your experience, education or projects.
How many skills?
Aim for 6–12 skills that match the job. If you're applying for different kinds of jobs, change this list each time.
A quick way to do this: read the advert, underline the skills it mentions, and use the ones you truly have. See how to tailor your CV to a job description.
Examples of skills (choose what fits your role)
- Admin: data capturing, MS Excel, document control, minute taking, switchboard handling
- Retail: POS systems (the till and card machine), stock taking, merchandising, customer service, cash-ups
- General: time management, communication, problem solving, teamwork
Need more ideas? Browse this list of skills to put on a CV.
Avoid this: listing skills you can't prove, like "Advanced Excel" when you only know the basics. Interviewers often ask you to explain or show a skill. Be honest, e.g. "MS Excel (basic formulas, formatting)".
If you're building your CV online, keep your skills up to date as you grow. Update your CV profile whenever you finish a course or gain experience.
Work experience: what to write if you have experience
For each job, include:
- Job title
- Employer
- Location
- Dates (month and year)
- 3–6 bullet points
Focus on what you did and what it achieved. Keep it honest and specific. Start each bullet with an action word like "Processed", "Assisted" or "Organised".
Recruiters also look at your dates. Unexplained gaps can raise questions, so see how to explain a gap in your CV if you have one.
Work experience template
Work experience
[Job Title] – [Employer], [City]
[Month Year] – [Month Year]
- [Key duty + context, e.g. systems or tools used]
- [Key duty + volume or scope, only if you can state it accurately]
- [Achievement or improvement, even a small, real one]
Weak bullet: "Worked on the till."
Strong bullet: "Processed card and cash payments on POS and supported daily cash-up checks with the supervisor."
Example (retail assistant)
Work experience
Retail Sales Assistant – Local Clothing Store, Bloemfontein
Nov 2023 – Mar 2025
- Assisted customers with product selection, sizes and exchanges while keeping the sales floor neat.
- Processed card and cash payments on POS and supported daily cash-up checks with the supervisor.
- Received and tagged new stock, updated shelf displays and supported monthly stock counts.
- Handled customer queries calmly and escalated complex issues according to store policy.
See a full version in this retail assistant CV example.
What to put on a CV if you have little or no work experience
If you're a school leaver, graduate or career changer, you can still build a strong CV. Use any experience that proves your skills: practicals, projects, volunteering, leadership, informal work and short contracts.
A recruiter hiring for an entry-level job isn't expecting years of experience. They want signs that you're reliable, can learn, and can work with people.
Good substitutes for formal work experience
- Work-integrated learning (WIL) or placements: the practical work part of a diploma or degree
- Volunteering: church, community projects, NGOs, events
- Academic projects: especially if they match the job
- Freelance or small jobs: tutoring, catering, helping with admin
- Leadership roles: class rep, society committee, team captain
Write these exactly like a job: title, where, dates and bullet points.
Example (project-based experience)
Projects
Student Project: Basic Budget Tracker (Excel) – Personal/Academic Project
Feb 2025 – Mar 2025
- Built an Excel workbook to track monthly income, expenses and category totals using formulas and data validation.
- Created a one-page dashboard with charts to show spending trends and savings targets.
- Wrote a simple user guide for non-technical users.
For a step-by-step guide, read how to write a CV with no experience.
Education: how to structure it (SA-friendly)
List your education in reverse chronological order. This means your most recent or highest qualification comes first, then go backwards.
Keep it easy to check. Employers may verify your qualifications, so use the exact name on your certificate.
Include
- Qualification name (e.g. National Diploma, Bachelor's degree, Higher Certificate)
- Institution
- Location (optional)
- Year completed (or expected completion date if you're still studying)
- Relevant modules (optional, but helpful for entry-level jobs)
Matric (NSC) on your CV
Matric is called the National Senior Certificate (NSC). If matric is your highest completed qualification, show it clearly.
Not sure how to list subjects, symbols or your pass type? Use this guide: Matric certificate on CV: how to list it (subjects, symbols, pass type).
For more layouts, see how to list education on a CV in South Africa.
Training, certificates, and short courses: where they fit
Add a "Training and Certificates" section if you've done any short courses, accredited programmes or job-related training. Place it after Education.
This section often makes an entry-level CV stand out, because it shows you took action to learn.
What to include
- Course name
- Provider or institution
- Year completed
- Accreditation details (only if you're sure they're correct)
Weak: "Did a computer course."
Strong: "End-User Computing (MS Word, Excel, Outlook) – [Provider], 2024"
If you're listing SETA-related learning, keep the wording accurate. For examples, see: SETA accredited courses on CV: how to list them (with examples).
Optional CV sections that add real value
These sections are optional. They help most when you don't have much work experience, or when you need to show proof quickly.
Projects
Best for graduates, career changers and technical jobs. Say what you built or did, the tools you used, and the result.
Volunteering
List it like work experience. It counts, especially when it shows you're reliable and good with people.
Languages (South Africa)
South African employers often value people who speak more than one language, especially in customer-facing jobs. List languages you can use at work, and keep your level simple and honest:
- English – Fluent
- Sesotho – Fluent
- Afrikaans – Basic/Conversational
Achievements
Add awards, academic recognition or work recognition that can be checked. Avoid vague claims like "best worker ever".
Weak: "Received many awards."
Strong: "Employee of the Month – [Store name], June 2024"
References: how many to include and how to format them
References go at the end of your CV. If you have them, list 2–3. If you don't, or you want to protect their contact details, write "References available on request."
Good references are people who have seen you work or study: a supervisor, manager, lecturer or volunteer coordinator. Avoid family members.
Always ask your references first, so they're ready when an employer phones.
Reference format
References
[Name Surname]
[Job title], [Company/Organisation]
Relationship: [e.g. Supervisor, Lecturer]
[Cell number] · [Email]
[Name Surname]
[Job title], [Company/Organisation]
Relationship: [e.g. Supervisor, Lecturer]
[Cell number] · [Email]
More detail here: how to list references on a CV in South Africa.
Copy-and-paste CV example (South Africa)
Use this full example as a starting point. Replace every part in square brackets with your own details, and delete any line that doesn't apply to you.
[Your Name Surname]
[Cell number] · [Email address]
[City, Province]
[LinkedIn/Portfolio link – optional]
Driver's licence: [Code B] · Own transport: [Yes/No – only if relevant]
Professional profile
Entry-level [target role] with strengths in [skill 1], [skill 2] and [skill 3], developed through [placement/part-time work/project]. Reliable, organised and confident working with [tools/systems]. Seeking a [job title] role where I can contribute to [type of work].
Key skills
- [Skill, e.g. Data capturing]
- [Skill, e.g. MS Excel (basic formulas, formatting)]
- [Skill, e.g. Customer service]
- [Skill, e.g. Filing and document control]
- [Skill, e.g. Communication (phone and email)]
- [Skill, e.g. Time management]
Experience
[Job title or Volunteer role] – [Employer/Organisation], [City]
[Month Year] – [Month Year]
- [Duty 1: what you did + who or what you supported]
- [Duty 2: tools or systems used]
- [Duty 3: result or achievement you can prove]
Education
[Qualification] – [Institution], [City]
[Year completed / Expected year]
Relevant modules: [Module 1], [Module 2], [Module 3] (optional)
National Senior Certificate (Matric) – [School], [Year]
Training and certificates
- [Course name] – [Provider], [Year]
- [Course name] – [Provider], [Year]
Languages
- [Language] – [Fluent/Conversational/Basic]
- [Language] – [Fluent/Conversational/Basic]
References
[Reference 1 name], [Title], [Organisation]
[Phone] · [Email]
[Reference 2 name], [Title], [Organisation]
[Phone] · [Email]
No work experience yet? Rename "Experience" to "Practical experience" or "Projects and volunteering" and fill it with the substitutes listed earlier.
Final checks before you send your CV
- Match the advert: adjust your profile and skills to the job.
- Keep it readable: use the same date style, spacing and headings throughout.
- Proofread: spelling and formatting mistakes can cost you an interview. Read it out loud, or ask someone else to check it.
- Use a clean layout: choose one style and stick to it.
- Check your contact details: one wrong digit in your cell number means the recruiter can't reach you.
- Save it as a PDF: name the file clearly, e.g. "Thandi-Mokoena-CV.pdf", unless the advert asks for another format.
Tip: before you send, compare your CV with the job advert one last time. If the advert asks for a skill you have, make sure it appears on your CV in the same words. For other common slip-ups, see these CV mistakes to avoid.
If you already have a CV, log in to CV Hub to improve it. Update your CV profile, then choose a CV design that looks professional.
Ready to apply? Read how to email a CV in South Africa. If you get stuck, read the CV Hub FAQ or contact CV Hub.
FAQ: common South African CV questions
How long should my CV be?
For students, graduates and entry-level candidates, aim for 1 page (or 2 pages if you have truly relevant content). For experienced candidates, 2 pages is common.
More detail: how long should a CV be in South Africa.
Should I include a photo?
Only include a photo if the job advert asks for one. Otherwise, leave it out.
Should I include an ID number?
Usually no. Share it only when it's required later in a formal application step, and only through the correct channel.
What if I have no work experience at all?
Focus on your education, skills, training, projects and volunteering. Use the "Practical experience" approach in the section above, and keep your CV to one clear page.
Where can I see how other people structure theirs?
Looking at examples helps. You can browse the CV database to see how people in different jobs organise their CV sections.
