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

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, which uses a clean single-column layout that recruitment software reads well, then score it against a real advert with the CV checker. Prepare for interviews with our software developer interview questions and browse ICT jobs in Kenya.