How to Write a CV in Kenya: Format and Examples

A good CV is short, clear and matches the job. Below is the order of sections Kenyan employers expect, tips for writing each one, and CV examples by job title that you can edit. Build yours on your phone or laptop in our CV builder.

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How to write a CV, section by section

  1. 1

    Contact details

    Name, phone number, email and town. Use a professional email address. Add a LinkedIn link only if the profile is up to date.

  2. 2

    Personal profile

    Two or three lines: who you are, your strongest experience and the job you want. Write it for the job in the advert.

  3. 3

    Work experience

    List jobs from the most recent. For each, give the job title, employer, dates, and three to five bullet points that start with an action word and say what you did and the result.

  4. 4

    Education and training

    List your highest qualification first, with the institution and year. Add short courses and certificates that fit the job.

  5. 5

    Skills

    List the skills the advert asks for that you really have, such as software you use or languages you speak.

  6. 6

    Referees

    Many Kenyan employers expect two or three referees with their name, position, employer and phone number. Ask their permission first.

How to write a CV with no experience

Lead with your education and training, then list attachment, internship, volunteer and school leadership roles as experience. Under each, say what you did and what you learned or achieved. Put a short skills section close to the top, and match it to the job advert. Keep the CV to one page.

What is an ATS-friendly CV format?

Some employers use software, called an applicant tracking system or ATS, to read and sort CVs. A simple format is easier for that software, and for a person in a hurry, to read. No format can promise that your CV passes, because every employer sets its own rules.

  • Use one column and standard headings, such as Personal profile, Work experience, Education, Skills and Referees.
  • Use a plain font such as Arial or Calibri, in a readable size.
  • Avoid tables, text boxes, photos and icons for the main content. They can break when the file is read by software.
  • Save as PDF, unless the advert asks for a Word file.
  • Use the words from the job advert where they are true for you, for example the job title and the tools it names.
  • Do not hide text or add words you cannot support. Employers check, and the interview will ask about everything on the page.

CV samples for a job application

The names, numbers, employers and results in these samples are placeholders for the example. Replace every detail with your own, and keep only facts that are true for you. Do not copy a sample word for word.

CV for a fresh graduate with no experience

Use this when you have just finished college or university and have only attachment or volunteer work.

CV for an experienced professional

Use this when you have several years of experience in one field.

CV for a student looking for attachment or an internship

Use this when you are still in school and need a placement.

CV for someone changing careers

Use this when your last job is in a different field from the job you want now.

Mistakes to avoid on a CV

  • One CV for every job

    Change the personal profile and the skills for each advert, and move the most relevant experience to the top.

  • Listing duties with no results

    Say what you did and what changed, with a number when you have a true one, such as the number of customers served or transactions processed.

  • A long or crowded layout

    Keep one column, a plain font and enough space between sections. Do not use tables, photos or columns of icons.

  • Old or missing contact details

    Check your phone number and email before you send. An employer who cannot reach you will move to the next CV.

  • Claiming things that are not true

    Do not invent jobs, dates, results or qualifications. Employers check, and the interview will ask about everything on the page.

CV FAQs

How do I write a CV in Kenya?

Start with your contact details, then a short personal profile, your work experience from the most recent, your education, your skills and your referees. Keep it to one or two pages, and change the profile and skills to match each job advert.

What is the correct CV format in Kenya?

Use a simple one-column layout in a clear font, with headings in this order: contact details, personal profile, work experience, education, skills, referees. Avoid tables, text boxes and images, because they can break when an employer opens or scans the file.

How long should a CV be?

One page if you have under five years of experience, and two pages if you have more. Cut anything that does not help you get this job.

Do I need a photo or my ID number on my CV?

Most employers do not ask for either. Add a photo or details only if the advert asks for them, and never include your ID number in a CV you post publicly.

How do I write a CV for a job with no experience?

Lead with your education and training, then list attachment, internship, volunteer and school roles as experience. Say what you did and what you learned, and add the skills the advert asks for.

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