Whether you’re a fresh graduate entering the job market or a seasoned professional seeking a career change, a well-written curriculum vitae (CV) is one of the most important tools in your job-search toolkit. Your CV introduces you to employers, highlights your qualifications, and positions you as the ideal candidate for the job.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the key steps to writing a CV that stands out, provide a practical template, and show an example you can model your own document on.

What Is a CV?

A CV (curriculum vitae) is a professional document that outlines your education, work history, skills, and achievements. While in some countries a CV is more detailed than a résumé, for most job applications — particularly in Kenya — the terms are used interchangeably to describe your job-history summary.

Why a Good CV Matters?

Employers often spend only a few seconds scanning each CV, so clarity, relevance, and professionalism are crucial. A strong CV increases your chances of getting shortlisted and invited for an interview.

Top CV Writing Tips Before You Start

Here are essential points to keep in mind as you prepare your CV:

1. Tailor Your CV to Each Job

Avoid generic CVs. Customize your CV for each position by highlighting experience and skills most relevant to the job description.

2. Keep It Clear, Simple, and Professional

Use a clean layout, standard fonts (e.g., Arial or Times New Roman), and bullet points to make your CV easy to skim.

3. Make Every Word Count

Use concise wording and focus on accomplishments and outcomes rather than just duties. Quantify results when possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 25%”).

4. Keep the Length Appropriate

For most roles, keep your CV to one or two pages if you have less than 5 years’ experience. Experienced professionals may use up to 3 pages.

5. Proofread Carefully

Grammar, punctuation, and formatting errors can harm your chances. Double-check everything or ask a trusted friend to review your CV.

Essential Sections of a CV (with Tips)

Every effective CV should include the following core sections:

1. Contact Information

At the very top, include:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Location (City, Country)
• Optional: LinkedIn profile or portfolio link

Tip: Avoid personal details like age, marital status, or quirky email addresses.

2. Professional Summary

This is a brief, powerful introduction to who you are and what you bring to the role — your value proposition. It should be 3–4 lines max and tailored to the job.

Example:

Results-driven customer service professional with 3 years of experience in high-volume retail environments. Skilled in conflict resolution, data entry, and CRM systems. Seeking to bring strong communication and leadership skills to a customer support position.

3. Key Skills

List 6–10 core skills that match the job requirements. Include both technical and soft skills.

Examples:

• Project coordination
• Data analysis (Excel)
• Customer relationship management
• Written and verbal communication

4. Work Experience

List your positions in reverse chronological order — most recent first. Include:

• Job title
• Employer
• Location
• Dates of employment
• Bullet points showing key achievements and responsibilities

Tip: Highlight results and use action verbs (e.g., “Led”, “Improved”, “Achieved”).

5. Education

Also in reverse chronological order, list your academic qualifications with:

• Degree or certificate
• Institution name
• Year completed

6. Additional Sections (Optional)

Include these if applicable:

• Certifications and courses
• Awards and honors
• Volunteer experience
• Technical proficiencies
• Languages

Example of a CV (Entry-Level)
Here’s a simple, professional template you can use as a starting point:

Jane Doe
+254 110 916 837 | info@peakdynasty.co.ke | linkedin.com/in/janedoe | Nairobi, Kenya

Professional Summary
• Highly motivated marketing graduate with practical internship experience in digital campaigns and social media management. Seeking a junior marketing role to apply creative and analytical skills to drive engagement.

Key Skills
• Social Media Strategy
• Content Creation
• Google Analytics
• Customer Engagement

Work Experience
Marketing Intern — Peak Dynasty, Nairobi | Jan 2026–Dec 2024
• Created social media content that increased engagement by 30%.
• Assisted in planning email campaigns to a subscriber base of 5,000+.

Education
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing — University of Nairobi, 2023

Additional Information
• Certificate in Digital Marketing — Digital School Kenya
• Languages: English (Fluent), Swahili (Fluent)