How to Write a Winning CV That Gets You Hired in Kenya

Research shows that a recruiter spends an average of 6–7 seconds on a CV before deciding whether to continue reading. In that time, your CV needs to immediately communicate who you are, what you can do, and why you're worth a conversation. Most CVs in Kenya fail to do this — and this guide will make sure yours doesn't.

The Core Sections Every CV Must Have

1. Personal Information

Include your full name, email address, phone number, LinkedIn profile URL, and town/county. Do NOT include your ID number, date of birth, religion, or marital status — these are unnecessary and introduce unconscious bias.

2. A Strong Professional Summary

This 3–4 line paragraph is the most important section. Tailor it to every job you apply for.

Example: "Results-driven ICT graduate with hands-on experience in digital marketing, graphic design, and web development. NITA-certified, I've helped 3 small businesses increase their online presence by an average of 60%. Seeking a Digital Marketing Assistant role where I can apply these skills to drive measurable results."

3. Work Experience

List experience in reverse chronological order. For each role, include 3–5 bullet points describing what you achieved — not just what you did.

4. Education

List qualifications in reverse order: institution name, qualification, and year of completion. If you have a university degree, you don't need to include KCSE details.

5. Skills & Certifications

Use keywords from the job description — many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan for specific terms before a human reads your CV. List your SkillUp Action Africa NITA-accredited certificate prominently here.

CV Formatting Rules for Kenya

• Length: 1–2 pages maximum
• Font: Calibri, Arial, or Garamond — size 10–12 for body text
• Format: Save and send as PDF — never Word — to preserve formatting
• Photo: A professional headshot is acceptable and common in Kenya

5 Things That Will Get Your CV Rejected

• Spelling and grammar errors — have someone proofread it
• Generic summaries not tailored to the role
• Listing responsibilities instead of achievements
• Using the same CV for every application without customising
• An unprofessional email address

"After SkillUp's CV workshop, I redesigned my CV completely. Within 3 weeks of using the new version, I had two interviews and a job offer." — Faith Otieno, Career Development Graduate

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