South Africa CV format with examples
Every good job starts with a great CV. Find out how to create a curriculum vitae that will make a lasting impression on employers with our all-in-one guide on the South African CV format. Think tips, CV samples, dos and don’ts, and heaps of expert advice to get you started.
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If you’re casting your job seeking net in South Africa, you’re probably somewhat aware of the country’s extremely high unemployment rate. This, on top of the country’s periods of slow economic growth, means that you have to work that much harder to get your dream job than job seekers in Europe, for example.
How, then, do you increase your chances of landing a job when you’re struggling against such a harsh economic climate?
Well, of course it starts with a well-crafted, fit-for-purpose CV. A good curriculum vitae will help you tick many boxes. From clearly demonstrating your relevant skills and qualifications and reassuring employers that you’re the right person for the job, to helping you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS) looking for select keywords.
However, for your resume to appeal to South African employers, it needs to follow the South African CV format. And this is where you can count on us to help.
In the following piece, we’ll guide you through the process of working with the South African CV template with our selection of curriculum vitae samples. On top of this, you’ll also find plenty of expert advice and handy tips to help you on your way to creating your perfect CV.
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South African CV Writing Format and Structure
While not wildly different from that used in Western countries, the South African CV format comes with some key differences. And although these differences mostly relate to the overall presentation of the CV, they’re nevertheless important to get right to appeal to South African employers.
Contact information
As is the case with many other CV formats – e.g. the Europass CV format – the contact information comes first. Found at the very top of the document, the aim of this section is to offer some vital information to hiring managers in case they choose to get in touch.
Make sure to include things such as:
- Your full name
- Home address
- Email address
- Phone number
Apart from the above, you may also decide to add a link to your LinkedIn profile, your website, or your online portfolio. While not essential, there’s a chance including these additional bits of information may be of interest to employers in certain fields.
A photograph
Though considered somewhat old-fashioned in some parts of the world, the photograph remains an important component of your South African CV. Depending on your luck, this may very well be the longest step in your CV-making process.
Still, don’t overthink it. Just be sure to select a high-quality photograph, against a plain, well-lit background, and remember to sport the kind of outfit you would on your first day on the job.
Bear in mind, though, that there are still some cases where a headshot may not be needed. This will depend on job types, industry norms, and employer preferences, so make sure to account for these when making your decision.
Personal statement/career objective
The CV in South Africa also features a short paragraph summarising you as a candidate at the top of the document. This should be from 3 to 5 sentences long, and outline what it is you bring to the table in terms of relevant skills, experience and qualifications, as well as what you’re looking to achieve in your next role.
Education
Education represents an important part of South Africa’s value system. It’s therefore no coincidence that the ‘Education’ section enjoys such a prime spot on the South African CV format.
When listing your educational history and qualifications, use the reverse-chronological order (i.e. from newest to oldest). Also, be sure to include things like grades and noteworthy achievements, where relevant.
Work experience
Your work history is also another important part of the South African CV format. When writing about your work experience on your CV, list your past and present career experiences using the reverse-chronological format.
Depending on your career stage and the role you’re applying for, feel free to include a mixture of formal and informal work experience.
In some cases the South African CV format will feature greater detail regarding past and present employers, e.g. names and contact details.
Skills
Similarly to the Western CV format, curriculum vitae in South Africa also reserves a section for listing your skills. While this section is where you’ll also include things such as language competencies, it’s best to generally keep it concise, to the point and relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Extracurricular activities and interests
Another aspect that differentiates the South African CV format from other formats is its emphasis on additional sections, e.g. extracurriculars and interests. Although these may not always be directly relevant to your dream job, these speak to your soft skills and signal to South African employers that you’re a well-rounded individual.
Free CV Template (South Africa)
Below, we’ve created a South African CV sample to give you an idea of what to include and the order to list it in when creating your own curriculum vitae.
Sipho Mkhize
45 Green Avenue, Sandton
Johannesburg, 2196
+27-82-456-7890
sipho.mkhize@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sipho-mkhize
Personal statement
A dedicated and passionate educator with over 5 years of experience in teaching high school mathematics and science. Seeking a teaching position in a reputable school in South Africa to inspire students, foster a love for learning, and contribute to their academic and personal growth.
Education
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) in Mathematics and Science
University of Pretoria, Pretoria
January 2013 – December 2016
- Dean’s List for Academic Excellence
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg
January 2017 – December 2017
- Specialisation: Senior Phase and FET Teaching
Work experience
January 2018 – Present
Sandton High School, Johannesburg
Maths and Science Teacher
- Taught mathematics and science to grades 8-12, focusing on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles.
- Utilised technology and interactive teaching methods to enhance student learning.
- Prepared students for matric exams with targeted revision sessions and practice tests.
- Participated in curriculum development and continuous improvement initiatives.
January 2017 – December 2017
Parktown Boys’ High School, Johannesburg
Student Teacher (Internship)
- Assisted senior teachers in delivering mathematics and science lessons.
- Conducted small group tutoring sessions to support struggling students.
- Graded assignments and provided constructive feedback to students.
- Organised and supervised science club activities and competitions.
Skills
- Teaching: Proficient in delivering curriculum-aligned lessons in mathematics and science.
- Classroom Management: Effective in maintaining a positive and productive classroom environment.
- Technology Integration: Skilled in using educational technology tools such as SMART boards, Google Classroom, and educational software.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills for interacting with students, parents, and colleagues.
- Assessment: Experienced in designing and administering formative and summative assessments.
- Adaptability: Capable of adapting teaching methods to meet diverse student needs.
- Foreign languages: French (intermediate), Dutch (advanced)
Extracurricular activities
- Coach, School Soccer Team
Trained and managed the school’s soccer team, leading them to regional championships. - Mentor, Student Tutoring Program
Provided academic support and mentorship to underperforming students. - Volunteer, Community Outreach Programs
Participated in educational outreach initiatives to support underprivileged schools.
Hobbies
DIY, gardening, travelling
South African CV formats in different samples (PDF & Word)
Taking a bit of a break from the theory part of the South African CV format, we’re now going to show you how this type of CV looks in real life.
Below, you’ll find a few South African CV examples to get you started. More importantly, each CV will be tailored to a different job type. This way, you’ll see how different professions and industries affect the overall content and presentation of the CV in South Africa.
How to make a South African CV format
Now that you’ve absorbed a lot of CV theory and seen a few examples of the South African CV format, you’re now ready to dive into some key steps you need to take in order to create yours.
Though the CV format in South Africa may not be wildly different from other CV formats, there are still some key differentiators to be aware of.
Include a high-quality photograph
We’ve all heard a variation of the disappointing statistic about how it only takes employers around 7 seconds to cast a final judgement on our CV and us as applicants. This can make choosing a photograph to include in your CV that much more stressful.
However, remember that unless you’re applying for a modelling job, employers will only judge how presentable and professional you look. No one’s going to care about your bad hair day or a zit on your forehead (though that would be really annoying).
The most important thing to focus on in terms of your photograph is using an unfiltered, high-resolution image against a plain background. Make sure your face takes up at least 60% of the frame, smile naturally and wear whatever you’d typically wear to work.
Make your summary statement/career objective future-oriented
Often referred to as your personal statement, your summary statement is an introduction to you as a candidate, which sits at the top of your South African CV. While the idea is virtually the same across different formats, there is a slight difference that sets the format in South Africa apart from others.
As well as featuring 3 to 5 sentences where you describe what you offer as a candidate in terms of your skills, experience and qualifications, employers and hiring managers in this part of the world also want candidates to be more future focused. This is your cue to express what you hope to achieve both in your next role as well as in your career in general, and it shows employers you can think ahead.
Include referee details at the end of your CV
While it’s common practice for references to be made available on request in Western countries, that isn’t the case in South Africa. Here, employers expect detailed contact information for at least two references at the bottom of your CV.
Make sure to include contact details for people who have agreed to speak to your good qualities and be contacted regarding this matter. It’s a common pitfall to assume most employers won’t even bother getting in touch with your referees and could very well cost you a job you want.
Be brief and concise
The age of unnecessarily lengthy CVs has long passed both in the West and in South Africa. As the world gets faster and busier, employers and hiring managers cannot afford to spare longer than a brief moment on your CV. Expecting them to do so will only leave you disappointed.
As such, make sure to include only those details that are relevant to the post you are applying for. There’s no need to mention all of the many undergrad jobs you’ve had, or list every grade you’ve received since high school.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule and times when a one-page long CV won’t do. These include jobs in academic or very senior positions that require you to demonstrate your fitness in great depth.
Do not fear additional sections
While balance is important in everything we do, there is still lots to be gained from a well-presented additional section. Whether you decide to tell hiring managers of all the relevant extracurricular activities you’ve undertaken, or mention certain certifications that could give you a leg-up, go for it!
Additional sections carry potential benefits both in the early stages of your career and if you’re a seasoned professional in your field. Given the high level of competition for jobs in South Africa, these additional snippets of information could really boost your chances.
Download South African CV format by job
The South African job market is diverse and dynamic, with many sectors offering employment opportunities to today’s jobseekers. The labour market in South Africa also offers great sector diversity, many economic hubs, and a whole lot of technological innovation. As such, the South African CV will serve you well as you search for your dream job.
With our CV builder, crafting a strong CV is no longer a drag. Filter by a job of your choice and enjoy quality content and practical tips along the way. Take a look at some of our CV examples for different jobs below.
South African CV for an engineer
South African CV for an IT technician
South African CV for a marketing manager
Dos and Don'ts
Dos
Do: Consider applicant tracking systems (ATS)
One thing that doesn’t really change no matter what country’s CV format you’re using are the methods employers and hiring managers use to select the right candidate for the job. One of those methods are the somewhat infamous applicant tracking systems, which scope your CV out for specific keywords before the document reaches recruiters. As such, it’s important to keep a copy of the job ad close by and use very similar keywords and phrases in your South African CV as those used in the ad.
Do: Tailor to the job application
Whether you’re working with an Indian CV format, a South African or a European one, one thing that you can count on is that employers will look for how relevant your skills and experience are to the job they’re hiring for. Customising your CV to the job description and including the right set of keywords are the two things you always need to make sure you’re doing. After all, what good is a great CV if it doesn’t offer hiring managers the required potential?
Don’ts
Don’t: Go into unnecessary detail
It’s 2024 and most employers don’t have a lot of time at their disposal when going over your CV. Get them to like you from the get-go and make the whole process easy on them, by staying concise and including only relevant information. After all, it’s unlikely your extracurriculars from when you were 14 would give you much of a leg-up applying for a finance job at 35.
Don’t: Forget to proofread
We all know the feeling of excitement that sets in once you complete a task as nerve-wracking as your CV (though it doesn’t have to be that way at all). We must caution you to suspend that excitement for another short while, and take the time to carefully proofread your CV. Look for typos, grammatical errors, inconsistent formatting, and so on. While these things may seem minor, mistakes can be judged more harshly if the competition is especially high. Which it is in South Africa, as we know.
Tips for working with the South African CV format - Takeaways
Now that we’ve covered all you need to know about the South African CV format, we hope you’re feeling a lot more confident – if not excited! – about having a go at creating your own. Before we let you go, though, let’s quickly cover all the things we went over above as a refresher. Give the pointers below a good read before you dive into creating your South African CV.
Include a high-resolution photograph
Whatever your feelings on the subject of including a photo, we must all play by the rules of the game. In South Africa, one of those rules is a photograph that sits atop of your CV. Don’t sweat it too much, though, just select a good-quality image where you’re looking presentable and call it a day.
Provide referee details at the end
Before you set about creating your CV, select two people you reckon can speak to your best qualities. Make sure to get their consent before you include their contact information on your CV, so as to avoid any awkward situations down the road.
Include additional sections
If you’ve ever felt cautious about listing your extracurricular activities and hobbies, you’ll be pleased to know South African hiring managers want to get to know you as a well-rounded individual. Feel free to include those that are at least somewhat relevant to the role, or at least very impressive.
Stay concise
As much as we hate to sound like a broken radio, keeping your South African CV tidy and concise truly bears repeating. Do not go scaring potential employers off with pages upon pages of your life history. Once you get the job, you can share more of yourself during those watercooler moments.
Mind applicant tracking systems
Of course, we must all remember applicant tracking systems are always afoot, threatening to throw our carefully written CVs into a pit of oblivion. Get around them by keeping the job ad on hand and using similar keywords and phrases in your curriculum vitae.
Look to the future
Another thing South African employers expect from you is a more future-focused approach. To demonstrate you’re a master of your fate, discuss what you hope to achieve in your next role/the industry/your career in your summary statement.
Quantify your achievements
If you’ve spent some time with us, you’ll know we’re big on quantifying achievements. After all, it’s all well and good to say you’re a stellar candidate, but employers in harsher economic climates especially will demand to see concrete proof of this. Numbers and percentages are your best friend here.
Tailor to the job description
Whatever CV format you’re working with, employers always want to see how what you’re offering matches up with what they’re looking for. Use the job description to help you choose the right keywords and accentuate the most important skills within your CV, and wow potential employers from the get-go.
Whether you’re working with the South African CV format or the Indian one, recruiters will always want to see how what you bring to the table matches up to their requirements. Again, keep the job description close by to ensure you’re choosing the right keywords and phrases when highlighting your achievements.
Create your South African CV in 3 simple steps
- Choose from one of many available CV formats
- Supplement with professionally written content
- Download your brand new CV and get your dream job!
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