How to Write a CV That Gets Shortlisted in Kenya

Recruiters in Kenya often receive hundreds of CVs for one job and spend less than a minute on each before deciding. A good CV makes it obvious, quickly, that you meet the requirements. Here is the format that works, section by section.

The fastest way to get the layout right is our free CV builder: pick a template, fill in each step on your phone or computer, and download a PDF or Word file.

Length and layout

• Two pages at most for most people; one page for fresh graduates.
• A clean, simple layout with clear headings. Avoid tables, text boxes and heavy graphics, which many online application systems cannot read.
• A readable font at 10 to 12 points, and consistent dates (for example "March 2023 – present").

What to include, in order

1. Your contact details

Name, phone number, a professional email address, your town, and a LinkedIn link if you have one. You do not need your ID number, date of birth, religion, tribe or marital status. Add a photo only if the advert asks for one.

2. Profile

Two or three lines matched to the job: who you are, your key experience, and what you are looking for.

Certified Public Accountant with five years' experience in audit and financial reporting for NGOs in Nairobi. Strong in donor reporting and IFRS. Looking for a Finance Manager role in the development sector.

3. Work experience

Newest first. For each job, give the job title, employer, location and dates, then three to five bullet points describing what you achieved, with numbers where possible:

• "Cut supplier payment time from 30 to 12 days by moving approvals online."
• "Managed a team of 6 sales agents who grew monthly sales by 20%."
• "Served about 60 customers a day with a 95% satisfaction score."

4. Education and professional qualifications

Newest first: qualification, institution, year, and grade or class if it helps you.

5. Skills

Skills the job asks for and you can prove: software (Excel, QuickBooks, SAP, KoboToolbox), languages, and certifications.

6. Referees

Two or three people who know your work, usually recent supervisors, with their title, organisation, phone and email. Ask permission first.

Tailor it for every job

Read the advert and make sure each requirement is clearly visible in your CV, using the advert's words where they are true for you. Many employers use software that filters CVs by keywords before a person reads them. Move the most relevant experience higher up.

Common CV mistakes

• Spelling mistakes, and the wrong company name in a tailored CV.
• Listing duties ("responsible for…") instead of results.
• Gaps in dates with no explanation.
• Unprofessional email addresses.
• Sending a Word file when the advert asks for PDF, or the other way round.

Send it properly

Save it as a PDF named clearly, such as Jane-Wanjiku-CV.pdf, and follow the application instructions exactly. If you have no work experience yet, read how to write a CV with no experience. Prefer a professional to do it? See our CV writing service.