Free South African CV templates and tips on how to write them
A curriculum vitae (CV) is one of the documents potential employers will ask you to present. All job seekers should have an updated CV detailing their qualifications and experience. Using an appropriate South African CV template will increase your chances of landing a job.
Source: UGC
Did you know there is no particular South African CV template? Instead, potential employees should create a CV that brings out their best selves. Sometimes, specific employers may prefer certain formats, so you should always do some research before sending one out for job consideration.
South African CV template: best CV templates in Word
If you feel unsure about the best professional CV template to use when applying for a job, fret not. If you have done some research, you know there are numerous templates available online, ranging from simple to complex.
We will explore various formats you can use to create a comprehensive yet simple document that will impress potential employers.
Chronological/ traditional CV format for a job
If you are looking for a simple CV format, consider using the traditional or chronological format. It is structured in sections written or typed in reverse chronological order. This means that your most recent events come first, and an example is seen below.
MARIA SIYABONGA
P.O. Box 2479017-9056809, KZN
mariasiyabonga@gmail.com
+27123456789
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE (Here, include a brief statement about yourself)
I am an enthusiastic, reliable, motivated, and responsible person. I am a team worker and adaptable to all challenging situations. I am able to work well under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor, Tshwane University of Technology (2019 - 2023)
- History of the Novel, English 301
Assistant Professor, University of Cape Town (2016 - 2018)
- Introduction to English Literature, English 201
EDUCATION
- PhD in English, June 2019 - Northwestern University
- MA in English Literature, June 2015 - Northwestern University
- BA in English, June 2013 - University of Cape Town
MEMBERSHIPS
- Society for Victorian Studies
- Association of Detective Fiction Studies
- Modern Languages Association
References available on request
Who should use the chronological/ traditional CV format?
This curriculum vitae template is ideal for people who can match their qualifications, work experience and skills directly to the criteria required by the employer and role.
If a job advert has a detailed and precise personnel specifications and you can directly relate yourself and your experiences, this is the best style for you.
Tips to make it outstanding
- Ensure you present the dates correctly and that there are no missing gaps in your history.
- Ensure your academic qualifications meet the requirements for the role advertised.
- In the work experience section, focus your information on short examples of how you fulfilled your responsibilities and achievements.
- Do not forget to include any additional knowledge, memberships, and skills you possess.
- Make yourself unique by capitalising on your interests and extra-curricular activities, preferably skills relevant to the role.
Source: UGC
Functional style template
The functional CV style focuses more on your professional skills instead of each job you held and when you held it. It is one of the latest CV formats that emphasise your skills rather than career progression.
In this style, you group your experience under the skills category instead of job titles. As you write or type each skill category, ensure you use bullet points to highlight examples of the skills you possess, as shown below.
MARIA SIYABONGA
P.O. Box 2479017-9056809, KZN
mariasiyabonga2023@gmail.com
+27123456789
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE (Here, include a brief statement about yourself)
I am an enthusiastic, reliable, motivated, and responsible person. I am a team worker and adaptable to all challenging situations. I am able to work well under pressure and adhere to strict deadlines.
RELEVANT SKILLS
- Teaching
- Facilitation
WORK HISTORY
Assistant Professor, Tshwane University of Technology (2019 - 2023)
- History of the Novel, English 301
Assistant Professor, University of Cape Town (2016 - 2018)
- Introduction to English Literature, English 201
EDUCATION
- PhD in English, June 2019 - Northwestern University
- MA in English Literature, June 2015 - Northwestern University
- BA in English, June 2013 - University of Cape Town
MEMBERSHIPS
- Society for Victorian Studies
- Association of Detective Fiction Studies
- Modern Languages Association
Who should use the functional template?
This style is ideal for people making career changes, job seekers with gaps in their employment history, or those with a highly developed skillset.
Tips to make it outstanding
- Use your skills to design a unique CV. For example, if you are applying for an artistic job, you can use creative visuals to grab attention.
- Your summary should highlight your most impressive professional achievements and skills.
- Make your work experience section shine by targeting each bullet to the particular job you want.
Source: UGC
Hybrid/ combination style template
If you have been wondering how to write a CV in South Africa, consider using the hybrid/ combination style, which more people are using. The style blends the chronological and functional approaches to writing a curriculum vitae.
It contains a detailed skills section that groups your skills into categories. Each category should have bullets underneath to show examples of how you used the skill practically. All information is also written chronologically, as shown below.
MARIA SIYABONGA
P.O. Box 2479017-9056809, KZN
mariasiyabonga2023@gmail.com
+27123456789
CV SUMMARY
I am an enthusiastic, reliable, motivated, and responsible person. I am a team worker and adaptable to all challenging situations. I have worked as an assistant professor for seven years.
RELEVANT SKILLS
Teaching
- Microteaching
- Classroom Management Skills
Facilitation
- Advanced Preparation
- Unbiased Objectivity
WORK HISTORY
Assistant Professor, Tshwane University of Technology (2019 - 2023)
- History of the Novel, English 301
Assistant Professor, University of Cape Town (2016 - 2018)
- Introduction to English Literature, English 201
EDUCATION
- PhD in English, June 2019 - Northwestern University
- MA in English Literature, June 2015 - Northwestern University
- BA in English, June 2013 - University of Cape Town
MEMBERSHIPS
- Society for Victorian Studies
- Association of Detective Fiction Studies
- Modern Languages Association
Who should use the hybrid/ combination template?
The style is a fantastic choice for people who have already developed a strong set of skills and have experience utilising those skills. People changing their careers and wanting to emphasise their transferable skills can also follow this template.
It is also ideal for those with a well-developed set of technical skills. It is not ideal for fresh graduates who barely have work experience.
Tips to make it outstanding
- Find a way of integrating your key skills into your professional history section.
- Note the skills listed by the employer as required in the job description and prioritise them.
- If you are making a career switch, ensure you highlight your transferable skills.
What are the 5 main things your CV should include?
The must-haves are contact details, CV profile, work experience, education history, and skills. You may also add associations, certifications, languages, conferences, extra training and courses, publications, and awards. Check out the CV examples in South Africa above to get a clearer idea of what to include.
What should you not put in a CV?
You should not put irrelevant information, meaningless introductions, or misleading information. You should also not have typing and grammatical errors.
Is there a specific CV template in South Africa?
There is none, so you can create your curriculum vitae in different ways. Although the templates may vary in appearance, they contain the information employers in various fields need.
Which CV format is best in South Africa?
The best format is one that brings out the best in you. If you need to highlight your technical skills, for example, the combination style is ideal.
What is the correct CV format?
The correct curriculum vitae format brings out your best self and is in line with the job advert. It should meet the needs of your employer.
It is not uncommon to find someone looking for the best South African CV template. Before you complete your curriculum vitae, know what you need to highlight most to secure you a job. Thereafter, you can use the chronological, functional, or hybrid template to create it.
Briefly.co.za recently published a list of recruitment agencies in Cape Town that will help you find a job. Hiring the right candidate is essential in today's competitive market.
Recruitment agencies come in handy as intermediaries between a company searching for human resources and a candidate searching for a job. They source, screen, and hire candidates to fit for the organisation and the position.
Source: Briefly News
Bennett Yates (Lifestyle writer) Bennett Yates is a content creator with over five years of working experience in journalism and copywriting. He graduated from the University of Nairobi (2017) with a Bachelor's in Information Technology. In 2023, Bennett finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. He started working for Briefly in 2019. You can reach him via email at bennetyates@gmail.com.
Cyprine Apindi (Lifestyle writer) Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and educator with over six years of experience. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication and a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Kenyatta University. Cyprine joined Briefly.co.za in mid-2021, covering multiple topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. In 2023, she finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She received the 2023 Writer of the Year Award. In 2024, she completed the Google News Initiative course. Email: cyprineapindi@gmail.com
