South African employers look for specific details when reviewing CVs. Knowing what to include—and what to leave out—will help you stand out and secure interviews.
1. Essential Details
Make sure these details are clear and accurate:
- Full Name: Use your official name as it appears on your ID.
- Phone Number: Make sure this is active. Many local employers prefer calling directly.
- Location: Include your city or township (e.g., Potchefstroom, North West). Many employers filter applicants by proximity to cut travel costs.
- Matric & Qualifications: State your school name and the year you passed Matric. If you completed Grade 10 or 11, list that as your highest level. List any short courses or certificates.
2. Practical Skills Over Degrees
For many practical and entry-level roles, you do not need a university degree. Highlight practical skills like Reliability, Punctuality, Customer Service, Cash Handling, Stock Counting, or Safety Awareness.
3. What to Exclude for Safety
To protect yourself from identity theft, do not include your ID number, bank details, home address, or copies of certificate attachments publicly. You can provide these to the employer once you have met them in person and verified that the job is real.