How to Write a CV That Gets Shortlisted in Kenya: Step-by-Step Guide

Are you applying for jobs but rarely receiving interview invitations? Before sending another application, take a closer look at your CV.

Your CV is often the first opportunity to show an employer what you can offer. If it is difficult to read, full of irrelevant information or does not clearly demonstrate your skills, a recruiter may overlook your application—even if you are qualified for the position.

The good news is that you do not need an expensive CV template to make a strong impression.

In this guide, you will learn how to write a professional CV in Kenya, what information to include, common mistakes to avoid and how to tailor your CV to different job opportunities.

1. Choose a Simple, Professional CV Format

A good CV should make it easy for a recruiter to find your qualifications, experience and relevant skills.

For most job applications, use a clean, single-column layout with clear headings and consistent formatting.

Your CV should generally include:

1. Full name and contact information
2. Professional summary or profile
3. Work experience
4. Education and qualifications
5. Relevant skills
6. Certifications or professional training, where applicable
7. Referees, if requested or customary for the application

For many Kenyan applicants, one or two pages are sufficient. Experienced professionals may need more space, depending on the role and their career history.

Use a readable font such as Arial or Calibri, and avoid excessive colours, complicated tables and decorative graphics. Save your CV as a PDF unless the employer requests another format.

2. Write Your Name and Contact Details Clearly

Place your full name near the top of the document, followed by your current contact information.

For example:

JANE WANJIKU

Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: +254 7XX XXX XXX
Email: jane.wanjiku@example.com
LinkedIn: [Your LinkedIn profile, if relevant]

Use an email address that looks professional. If possible, use a variation of your name rather than an informal nickname.

You generally do not need to include your national ID number, marital status, religion or other sensitive personal information. Include a photograph only when the employer specifically requests one.

Always double-check your phone number and email address. A strong CV cannot help you get an interview if the employer cannot contact you.

3. Create a Strong Professional Summary

A professional summary is a short introduction explaining who you are, what you can do and what relevant experience you bring.

Avoid generic statements such as:

“I am a hardworking, honest and ambitious person seeking employment in a reputable organisation.”

This tells the recruiter very little about your actual abilities.

Instead, highlight your relevant training, experience and skills.

Example for an experienced applicant:

“Customer service professional with three years of experience handling customer enquiries, resolving complaints and maintaining accurate records. Skilled in communication, problem-solving and customer relationship management. Seeking to contribute these abilities to a customer-focused organisation.”

Example for a recent graduate:

“Recent diploma graduate with a foundation in business administration, record keeping and computer applications. Organised, detail-oriented and eager to apply classroom knowledge in a professional environment.”

Adapt these examples to your actual background. Never claim qualifications or experience you do not have.

4. Present Your Work Experience Properly

Your work experience should demonstrate what you have done and the value you can bring to an employer.

List your most recent position first. For each role, include:

• Job title
• Employer’s name
• Employment dates
• A few relevant responsibilities and achievements

Whenever possible, describe results rather than simply listing duties.

Weak example:

Sales Assistant — ABC Company

• Responsible for selling products.
• Responsible for customers.
• Responsible for stock.

Stronger example:

Sales Assistant — ABC Company

• Assisted customers in selecting suitable products and answering enquiries.
• Maintained accurate stock records and reported low-stock items.
• Supported daily sales activities and helped maintain an organised retail environment.

If you have genuine figures that demonstrate your achievements, include them. For example, you might mention the number of customers served daily or a verified improvement in sales performance.

Do not invent numbers to make your CV appear more impressive.

5. What If You Have No Work Experience?

You can still create a strong CV if you have recently completed secondary school, college or university.

Instead of leaving the experience section empty, highlight relevant activities such as:

• Industrial attachment or internship
• Volunteer work
• School or college projects
• Community activities
• Leadership responsibilities
• Freelance work
• Relevant personal projects

For example, if you completed an attachment in an office, describe the actual tasks you performed, such as filing documents, updating spreadsheets, assisting visitors or preparing records.

You can also highlight transferable skills, including communication, teamwork, organisation and computer literacy, provided you can demonstrate them.

Example for a first-job applicant:

“Recent school leaver seeking an entry-level position where I can apply my communication, teamwork and organisational skills. Comfortable learning new tasks, following instructions and working responsibly with others.”

Your first CV does not need to pretend that you have years of experience. It needs to show that you are prepared to learn and contribute.

6. List Your Education and Qualifications

Include your relevant educational background, beginning with your highest or most recent qualification.

For each qualification, provide:

• Institution name
• Qualification obtained or course studied
• Year completed, or expected completion date

For example:

Diploma in Business Management
Example College
2024–2026

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE)
Example Secondary School
2023

Use your actual institution names, qualifications and dates.

If you are a recent graduate, your education section may appear before work experience. If you have several years of relevant employment, work experience will usually deserve more prominence.

Include certificates, licences and professional qualifications when they are relevant to the position.

7. Include Skills That Match the Job Advert

Employers want to understand whether your abilities match the requirements of the position.

Read the job advertisement carefully and identify the skills the employer requests.

Depending on the role, relevant skills might include:

• Microsoft Word and Excel
• Customer service
• Data entry
• Communication
• Sales and negotiation
• Bookkeeping
• Project coordination
• Digital marketing
• Driving, where relevant and properly licensed
• Programming or technical support

Do not list every skill you have ever heard of. Focus on those that are relevant and that you can honestly demonstrate.

For example, if the advert requires Excel experience, mention the Excel tasks you can perform, such as entering data, formatting spreadsheets or using formulas.

8. Tailor Your CV to Every Job Application

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is sending the same CV to every employer.

Different positions require different strengths. A customer service role may emphasise communication and problem-solving, while an accounting position may require bookkeeping, reconciliation and spreadsheet skills.

Before submitting your application:

1. Read the job description carefully.
2. Identify the most important requirements.
3. Highlight your relevant experience and skills.
4. Use the employer’s terminology where it accurately describes your abilities.
5. Remove unrelated details that distract from your suitability.

For example, if an employer requests experience in inventory management, make relevant stock-control experience easy to find.

Tailoring your CV does not mean copying the job advertisement word for word. It means clearly connecting your real qualifications to the employer’s needs.

9. Make Your CV Easy for Recruitment Software to Read

Some employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to organise and screen applications.

To improve readability, use:

• Standard headings such as “Work Experience”, “Education” and “Skills”
• A simple, single-column layout
• Text that can be selected and copied
• Relevant keywords from the job advertisement
• Consistent dates and job titles

Avoid putting essential contact details inside decorative headers, footers, images or complex text boxes.

There is no CV format that guarantees you will pass every screening system. Employers use different processes, so follow the application instructions carefully.

10. Choose Your Referees Carefully

Some Kenyan employers ask applicants to provide referees. Others request them later in the recruitment process.

When referees are required, choose people who can speak honestly about your work ethic, qualifications or professional conduct.

Depending on your background, a referee could be a former supervisor, lecturer, internship supervisor or another appropriate professional contact.

Ask permission before listing someone. Confirm that their contact information is correct and that they are comfortable being contacted.

If the advert does not request referees, check the employer’s instructions before deciding whether to include them.

11. Avoid These Common CV Mistakes

Before submitting your application, check that your CV does not contain the following problems:

Spelling and grammar errors: Proofread carefully, and ask someone you trust to review the document if possible.

Unprofessional email addresses: Use an email address suitable for job applications.

False information: Never invent qualifications, employers, dates or achievements.

Too much irrelevant information: Focus on details that help demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Poor formatting: Avoid tiny text, inconsistent fonts and unnecessary decorations.

Generic applications: Tailor your profile, skills and relevant experience to each position.

Incorrect contact details: Make sure your phone number and email address are accurate.

A confusing filename: Save the document with a professional name, such as Jane_Wanjiku_CV.pdf.

12. Check Your CV Before Sending It

Use this final checklist before submitting an application:

• My name and contact information are correct.
• My professional summary matches the type of job I want.
• My education and employment dates are accurate.
• My most relevant skills are easy to find.
• My work experience describes genuine responsibilities and achievements.
• My spelling and grammar have been checked.
• My CV is easy to read on a computer and phone.
• I have followed the employer’s application instructions.
• My file is saved in the requested format.
• My cover letter or application email is ready, if required.

A final review can help you catch avoidable mistakes before your application reaches the employer.

Frequently Asked Questions About CV Writing

How many pages should a CV have in Kenya?

One or two pages are usually sufficient for most applicants. Senior professionals and people with extensive relevant experience may need additional space. Focus on relevance rather than filling pages.

Should I include a photo on my CV?

Only include a photograph when the employer specifically requests it or the application instructions make it necessary.

Can I get a job without experience?

Yes, entry-level opportunities may be available to applicants without formal employment experience. Highlight your education, attachment, volunteer activities, relevant projects and transferable skills.

Should I send my CV as a PDF or Word document?

Follow the employer’s instructions. PDF is often suitable because it preserves the document’s appearance, while some application systems specifically request Word documents.

Do I need a different CV for every job?

You do not need to start from scratch every time. Keep a master CV with your full history, then adjust the summary, skills and relevant experience for each application.

Final Thoughts

A professional CV is more than a list of schools and previous jobs. It is a clear presentation of your qualifications, skills and potential value to an employer.

Keep it accurate, easy to read and focused on the position you want. If you have no formal work experience, do not give up. Use your education, projects, attachment and transferable skills to show what you can offer.

Before sending your next job application, spend a few minutes reviewing your CV against the job advertisement.

Your goal is simple: make it easy for the employer to understand why you deserve an interview.