Your Curriculum Vitae is often the first thing a recruiter sees when you apply for a job. It’s like your personal advertisement — your chance to show employers why you are the right person for the job. But what exactly do recruiters look for in a CV? How can you make sure your CV stands out and gets you called for an interview?
In this article, we will break down the key things recruiters focus on when reading CVs, especially in the South African job market. Whether you are just starting out, looking for your first job, or trying to move up in your career, these tips will help you create a CV that recruiters will want to read.
Why is a Good CV Important?
In South Africa, the job market can be very competitive. Recruiters might receive hundreds of applications for one position. Your Curriculum Vitae needs to be clear, honest, and easy to read — so that recruiters can quickly see you have the skills and experience they need.
A good Curriculum Vitae helps you:
- Get noticed quickly
- Show your skills and experience clearly
- Make a good first impression
- Increase your chances of getting an interview
What Recruiters Look for in a CV
1. Clear and Easy to Read Layout
Recruiters spend only a short time looking at each Curriculum Vitae—sometimes as little as 30 seconds! This means your CV must be well-organized and easy to follow.
Tips for a clear layout:
- Use simple fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman
- Keep font size between 10 and 12 points
- Use bullet points to list your skills and responsibilities
- Leave enough white space so the CV doesn’t look crowded
- Avoid using fancy graphics or colours that distract from the content
2. Relevant Contact Information
Make sure your contact details are easy to find at the top of your Curriculum Vitae. This should include:
- Your full name
- Phone number (mobile is best)
- Email address (use a professional email, not nicknames)
- LinkedIn profile (if you have one)
Recruiters need to contact you quickly if they want to invite you for an interview.
3. A Strong Personal Profile or Summary
A personal profile is a short paragraph (3–5 lines) at the beginning of your CV where you tell recruiters who you are and what you want.
Example:
“I am a hardworking retail assistant with 3 years’ experience helping customers and managing stock. I am reliable, friendly, and eager to learn new skills. I am looking for a position where I can grow my career in sales.”
This summary helps recruiters quickly understand what you offer.
4. Relevant Work Experience
Recruiters want to see your work experience that is relevant to the job you are applying for.
How to list your work experience:
- Start with your most recent job and work backwards
- Include job title, company name, and dates you worked there
- Use bullet points to describe your main duties and achievements
- Focus on the tasks that relate to the new job
- Use action words like “managed,” “helped,” “sold,” “trained,” or “organised”
Example:
Sales Assistant | Shoprite | Jan 2021 – Present
- Assisted customers with product information and purchases
- Managed stock levels and restocked shelves
- Processed payments and operated the till
5. Education and Qualifications
Include your highest level of education and any training or courses relevant to the job.
- Name of the qualification or course
- Name of the school, college, or training provider
- Year completed
If you have little work experience, place this section higher up on your CV.
6. Skills
Recruiters look for specific skills that match the job description. These could be:
- Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, email)
- Communication skills
- Customer service skills
- Teamwork and problem-solving
- Language skills (especially if you speak more than one language)
Make sure to include skills that are important for the job you want.
7. Achievements and Awards
If you have won any awards or achieved special things at work or school, add these to your CV. It shows you go the extra mile.
8. Honesty
Never lie on your CV. Recruiters check your information and may ask you about it in an interview. Being honest builds trust and avoids embarrassment.
9. Spelling and Grammar
Poor spelling or grammar makes a bad impression and can cause your CV to be rejected. Always check your CV carefully or ask someone to proofread it.
Learn More: 13 Common CV Mistakes That Stop You from Getting Hired
Extra Tips to Impress Recruiters
Tailor Your CV for Each Job
Don’t send the same CV for every job. Look carefully at the job advert and include keywords or skills that match what the employer wants. This shows you understand the job and are a good fit.
Keep Your CV to 2 Pages
Recruiters don’t have time to read long CVs. Aim for 1 or 2 pages maximum. Be concise and only include information that helps your application.
Use Keywords
Many companies use computer programs to scan CVs before a recruiter even sees them. Use keywords from the job advert to make sure your CV passes these scans.
Include Volunteer Work or Internships
If you don’t have much paid work experience, include any volunteer work or internships. These show you have some experience and work ethic.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending a CV with no cover letter or introduction
- Using an unprofessional email address
- Including unrelated or outdated information
- Forgetting to update your contact details
- Using a confusing or cluttered format
- Listing job duties without showing achievements
How to Start Writing Your CV
If you are not sure where to start, here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
- Write your personal details at the top.
- Add a short personal profile.
- List your work experience with bullet points.
- Add your education details.
- List relevant skills.
- Include any extra achievements.
- Proofread carefully.
Learn More: Free CV Templates that Pass the Applicant Tracking System in 2025
A well-written Curriculum Vitae is your ticket to getting noticed by recruiters and landing interviews. Recruiters look for clear information, relevant experience, and skills that match the job. By keeping your CV simple, honest, and tailored to each job, you can increase your chances of success.
Remember, your Curriculum Vitae is your personal advertisement — make it strong, clear, and professional.
