# How to write a tech CV in Kenya: developers, data and IT

> How to write a CV for software, data, IT support, networking and security jobs: what goes at the top, how to describe projects with results, and what Kenyan and international recruiters skip.

Source: https://monicahr.com/guides/tech-cv-kenya/
Published by Monica (monicahr.com), written by The Monica team, updated 2026-11-05. Topic: ICT and tech, Kenya.

Tech recruiters read CVs fast and often filter them with software first. A tech CV that gets shortlisted is short, specific and full of evidence: what you built or fixed, with which tools, and what changed because of it. This guide works for developers, data people, IT support, network and security roles.

## What should go at the top of a tech CV?

Your name, the role you want ("Backend developer", "Data analyst"), your town, phone, email, and links to GitHub, a portfolio or LinkedIn. Then a skills line with the tools that match the advert, grouped: languages, frameworks, databases, cloud and tools. Keep it honest; you will be tested on it.

## How do you write a short profile?

Two or three sentences: your role, years of experience, your main stack and one result. "Backend developer with four years' experience in Python and Django, building payment and lending APIs for a Nairobi fintech. Cut payment failures by a third by redesigning M-Pesa callback handling."

## How should you describe your experience and projects?

For each role, give three to five lines that start with a verb and end with a result:

- "Built a loan application API used by 40,000 customers, with tests covering the main flows."
- "Automated a weekly sales report with SQL and Power BI, saving the finance team a day each week."
- "Moved 120 staff to Microsoft 365 with no lost email."
- "Reduced network outages at three branches by replacing failing switches and adding monitoring."

Juniors and career changers should add a projects section with two or three real projects, each with a link.

## Which certifications and education should you list?

Your degree or diploma, and the certifications relevant to the role, such as CCNA, Security+, AWS or Azure, with the year. Leave out short online courses unless the advert asks for that skill and you have nothing stronger.

## What gets tech CVs rejected?

- A long list of every language you have touched. It looks like you know none of them well.
- Duties without results: "responsible for maintaining systems".
- No links to code or work, for a developer or data role.
- Fancy layouts with columns and graphics, which recruitment software often cannot read.
- Your ID number, date of birth or a photo, which most tech employers do not want.

## The fastest way to a good tech CV

Build it with the free [CV builder](https://monicahr.com/cv-builder/), which uses a clean single-column layout that recruitment software reads well, then score it against a real advert with the [CV checker](https://monicahr.com/cv-checker/). Prepare for interviews with our [software developer interview questions](https://monicahr.com/guides/software-developer-interview-questions-kenya/) and browse [ICT jobs in Kenya](https://monicahr.com/jobs/roles/ict/).