Your CV: Creating the Right First Impression

What to Include (and Not Include) on Your CV: A Complete Guide for Job Seekers

Writing a CV can feel overwhelming. With so much advice available, it’s easy to focus on what should be included – yet, what you shouldn’t include is just as important.

Your CV is often your first introduction to a potential employer. It must be honest, relevant, and polished.

This guide will help you build a CV that stands out for the right reasons – clear, concise, and tailored to the job you’re after.

First Impressions Count: Keep Your CV Clean and Simple

While your experience is the star of the show, how your CV looks sets the stage.

Unnecessary design elements – like borders, background images, or headshots – can distract from your content and make your CV appear less professional.

Stick to classic formatting: use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri, structure your information with clear headings such as “Education”, “Work Experience”, and “Skills”, and ensure consistency in how you list dates and bullet points.

Simple formatting not only looks cleaner but is also easier for recruiters (and applicant tracking systems) to scan.

Make Your Content Count

Relevance is everything. Tailor your CV for each application.

If your background spans multiple fields – say Sales, Marketing, and Business Development – consider creating targeted versions for each role type. This shows intention and helps you highlight the most applicable experience.

Avoid including outdated or irrelevant jobs unless they demonstrate transferable skills.

Use concise descriptions, powered by action verbs and outcomes. For example:
“Increased client retention by 20% through strategic relationship management.”

Every line should add value. If it doesn’t, leave it out.

Personal Details: Share What’s Necessary, Not Everything

Oversharing on a CV can work against you – and potentially pose privacy risks.

Skip the home address, ID numbers, relationship status, or how many children you have. Instead, include the basics: a professional email address, mobile number, city and province, your citizenship or work permit status, and whether you’re willing to relocate.

If relevant, you can mention your driver’s licence type and car ownership (but no need to include the make and model!).

Education: Be Clear, Be Honest

Misrepresenting your education is not just frowned upon – it can be criminal. In certain countries, falsifying qualifications is a punishable offence.

List your qualifications clearly, noting the institution, degree type, majors (if relevant), and the year of completion – or expected completion if you’re still studying. If you started a degree but didn’t finish it, say so and mention how far you progressed.

Example:
Bachelor of Social Science (Industrial Psychology), University of KwaZulu-Natal – Completed 2022
Bachelor of Social Science Honours (Industrial Psychology), University of KwaZulu-Natal – Due to complete 2025

You don’t need to list all subjects and marks unless specifically requested. However, do highlight standout achievements like Cum Laude, Dean’s Commendations, bursaries, or society memberships (e.g., Golden Key). These show commitment and excellence.

Showcase Your Skills – With Evidence

Anyone can claim to have “excellent communication skills” or “strong leadership qualities.” What makes your CV convincing is evidence.

Instead of vague claims, show the results of your abilities.

Rather than:
Outstanding leadership skills
Say:
Recruited and led a team of five junior sales reps, delivering consistent target achievement and onboarding 2–5 new clients monthly.

Tailor your listed skills to the job at hand. If you’re applying for a Sales Manager role, highlight things like client relationship management, sales analysis, and team leadership – not just general admin tasks like PowerPoint or Excel. These can be noted in context within job descriptions if necessary.

Also, be honest about your proficiency. If your Photoshop experience is basic, say so. Misleading information could be exposed during interviews or skills assessments.

Work Experience: Tell Your Career Story

A well-written work history provides a snapshot of your professional journey. Include every position you’ve held – even short-term roles – to avoid unexplained gaps. But don’t feel pressured to detail each job extensively, especially if it’s unrelated to your current goals.

Structure your entries chronologically, using bullet points to describe duties and accomplishments. Write in past tense, and keep it authentic – don’t just copy from your employment contract.

Example timeline:
2005 – Waitressed in the UK while travelling post-Matric
2006–2008 – Part-time waitress while completing degree
2009–2010 – Internship at [Company Name]

Clarity and consistency help recruiters follow your career path with ease.

References: Keep It Professional

Your references are an important part of the hiring process – but they don’t belong on your CV unless requested.

Instead, write: “References available upon request.” Then, prepare a separate document listing names and contact details.

Always ask permission before listing someone, and let them know when you’re actively applying for roles. If a referee has moved companies, update their information accordingly.

A standard reference entry should include:

• Name
• Job title
• Company name
• Work and mobile contact numbers
• Email address

Before You Hit Send: Final Checks

You’ve tailored your CV, polished your content, and formatted it cleanly. Almost done? Not quite.

Now’s the time for a final proofread. Spelling and grammar errors can leave a poor impression. Ask a friend or family member to review it too – fresh eyes catch mistakes you might miss.

Remember, your CV is your personal marketing tool. It represents your skills, your professionalism, and your attention to detail. Treat it with the care it deserves.

Key Takeaways

• Keep formatting clean and professional – no frills.
• Tailor your content to each job application.
• Share only essential personal information.
• Be honest and transparent about your education and skills.
• Provide real evidence of your experience and achievements.

A well-crafted CV doesn’t just open doors – it gives employers confidence in your ability before they’ve even met you.