How to write a CV that gets shortlisted in Kenya

Most CVs are read twice. The first read is a quick scan, often under a minute, to decide whether you go on the "maybe" pile. The second, slower read only happens if you pass the first. Almost everything in this guide is about surviving that first scan.

Start with the job advert, not your history

Before you change a word, open the advert and underline three things: the job title, the must-have requirements, and the duties listed first. Advertisers list the things they care about most near the top. Your CV should answer those points early and in the same language. If the advert asks for "debtors reconciliation" and your CV says "managed receivables", a busy shortlister may not connect the two.

This does not mean copying the advert. It means describing your real experience in terms the employer already uses.

The sections that matter, in order

1. Name and contact details

Full name, one phone number you actually answer, a professional email address, and your town. A LinkedIn link helps if your profile is current. You do not need your ID number, date of birth, marital status, religion or a photo. Leave them out unless the advert specifically asks.

2. A short profile

Three or four lines saying who you are professionally and what you bring. Be specific.

Weak: "A hardworking and result-oriented individual seeking a challenging position."
Stronger: "Certified Public Accountant with four years in manufacturing, including month-end close, VAT returns on iTax and supporting two external audits."

3. Work experience

Most recent job first. For each role give the job title, employer, town and dates (month and year). Under each, write three to six bullet points that start with an action and, where possible, end with a result.

• "Reduced stock variances at the Thika depot from 4% to under 1% in eight months by introducing weekly cycle counts."
• "Handled an average of 60 customer calls a day with a first-call resolution rate above 85%."
• "Trained six new tellers on the core banking system."

Numbers do not have to be impressive. They have to be real. Shortlisters trust "served 40 patients a shift" more than "provided excellent patient care".

4. Education and professional qualifications

Degree or diploma, institution and year. Add professional papers such as CPA, ACCA, CIPS, or your nursing or clinical officer licence with its registration status. For experienced candidates, KCSE results can go in one line or be left out. For recent graduates, include your KCSE mean grade if it is strong.

5. Skills

List tools and skills that are relevant and checkable: "Sage 300", "QuickBooks", "Advanced Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP)", "AutoCAD", "Swahili and English, fluent". Avoid soft skills with no evidence, such as "team player". Show those through your experience bullets instead.

6. Referees

Two or three referees with name, title, organisation, phone and email. At least one should be a former supervisor. Tell them in advance that they may get a call. "Referees available on request" is acceptable when space is tight, but many Kenyan employers prefer to see them listed.

Length and layout

Two pages is right for most people. One page is fine for a fresh graduate. Three pages is acceptable only for senior roles with long, relevant careers. Use one clear font, consistent headings and enough white space. Avoid tables, text boxes, graphics and two-column templates. They look good in a design tool, but many recruitment systems read them as scrambled text.

Always send a PDF unless the advert asks for Word. Name the file sensibly, for example Wanjiru-Kamau-CV.pdf, not CV final final 2.pdf.

Mistakes that quietly cost interviews

• One CV for every job. Adjust the profile and the order of bullet points for each application. It takes ten minutes and makes the biggest difference.
• Unexplained gaps. A one-line note such as "2023 to 2024: Full-time carer for a family member" is better than silence.
• Duties instead of achievements. "Responsible for sales" tells the reader nothing. "Grew monthly sales in the Kisumu territory from KES 1.2M to KES 1.9M" does.
• Spelling and grammar errors. Read the CV aloud, then ask someone else to read it.
• Inflated titles or fake certificates. Background checks in Kenya routinely confirm qualifications with institutions and professional bodies. Getting caught ends the process and can follow you.

A quick checklist before you send

1. Does the top third of page one show you meet the main requirements?
2. Does every recent role have at least one measurable result?
3. Is the file a PDF with your name in the file name?
4. Are your phone number and email correct?
5. Have you followed the application instructions in the advert exactly, including the subject line?

If you can answer yes to all five, your CV is ready for the first scan.