Start with clear contact details
Put your full name, phone number, professional email address and town at the top. Use an email that looks serious, such as your name, not a nickname. Unless the advert asks for them, details like ID number, marital status or religion are usually unnecessary.
Write a short profile
Two to four lines stating who you are, what you do and what you want. For example: a finance graduate with attachment experience in accounts payable, seeking a graduate trainee role. Rewrite it for each job.
List education and experience, newest first
- Education: course, institution, years, and grade if it helps you.
- Experience: job title, employer, dates, then three to five bullets of what you did and achieved.
- Attachment and internships count. List them like jobs.
Show results, not only duties
Instead of 'Responsible for customer service', say what changed: 'Handled customer queries daily and resolved most at first contact'. Use numbers only when you can confirm them.
Add skills, training and referees
Include skills that match the advert, short courses and certificates. Many Kenyan employers expect two referees with their position, organisation and contacts, so ask permission first.
Keep it short and checked
Aim for two pages for most people, with one page for new graduates being fine. Proofread twice, then ask a friend to read it. Spelling mistakes cost interviews.