How to Write a CV in South Africa (Free Template)

A simple, step-by-step guide to writing your first CV in South Africa, with what to include, what to leave out and a free CV builder.

Your CV is the first thing an employer, SETA or bursary committee sees about you. For most learnerships and internships, it’s read in under a minute, so it needs to be clear, honest and easy to scan.

This guide shows you exactly what to put on a South African CV, even if you have never worked before. When you’re ready, use our free CV builder to make yours in five minutes and save it as a PDF.

What to put on your first CV

Keep your CV to one or two pages, in this order.

1. Your details
Full name, cellphone number, a professional email address and the town or suburb where you live. Add your driver’s licence code if you have one.

Use an email address with your name in it, like thandi.mokoena@gmail.com, not a nickname. Only add your ID number if the advert asks for it. Putting it on every CV you send makes identity fraud easier.

2. A short profile (2–3 sentences)
Say who you are, what you’re looking for and what you’re good at. For example:

“Reliable matriculant from Soweto looking for a learnership in retail or customer service. Good with people, quick to learn and comfortable using Microsoft Word and Excel.”

3. Education
Your high school, the year you finished matric and your subjects with marks. Then add any college, university, short courses or online certificates, with the institution and year.

4. Experience
List paid work first, then anything else that shows you’re responsible:

• volunteering at a church, clinic or community project
• helping in a family business or spaza shop
• being a class representative, prefect or sports captain
• tutoring or helping younger learners

For each one, write your role, where, when and one line about what you did.

5. Skills and languages
Practical skills like computer programs, customer service, cash handling or a driver’s licence, plus every language you speak.

6. References
Two people who can confirm your character or work, such as a teacher, manager, pastor or volunteer coordinator. Include their name, how they know you and their phone number. Ask them first.

CV example for school leavers

Here’s what a strong first CV looks like:

Thandi Mokoena
071 234 5678 · thandi.mokoena@gmail.com · Soweto, Gauteng

Profile: Hard-working matriculant looking for a learnership in retail or customer service. Reliable, good with people and quick to learn new systems.

Education: National Senior Certificate, Morris Isaacson High School, 2025. English HL 68%, isiZulu FAL 74%, Mathematical Literacy 61%, Business Studies 65%.

Experience: Volunteer, Soweto Community Soup Kitchen (2024–2025). Served meals to 100+ people weekly and helped keep stock records.

Skills: Microsoft Word, customer service, cash handling, teamwork

Languages: English, isiZulu, Sesotho

References: Mr S. Dlamini, Life Orientation teacher, 011 123 4567

You can load this example in our CV builder with one tap and change it to your own details.

How to make your CV stand out

• Match the advert. If a learnership asks for “good communication”, show where you used it. Change your profile for each type of job.
• Use simple words and short lines. Recruiters scan; they don’t read every word.
• Save it as a PDF. It looks the same on every phone and computer. Name the file properly, like Thandi-Mokoena-CV.pdf.
• Keep it up to date. Add new courses, volunteering and results as soon as you have them.

Mistakes that get CVs rejected

• Spelling mistakes and SMS language
• An unprofessional email address
• No cellphone number, or a number that’s off or full
• Lying about qualifications or experience. Employers check, and it can get you blacklisted.
• Four or more pages, or long paragraphs
• Sending the same CV to every advert without changing anything

Applying for government jobs and internships?

Government posts usually need a Z83 form together with your CV. See our guide: Download the Z83 form and how to fill it in.

Build your CV now

Use the free Lloyd Media Lab CV builder: fill in the form, watch your CV build itself and save it as a PDF. Your details stay on your phone.

Then find something to apply for on our Open now page.

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• Last checked on: 9 November 2026