A good CV is not simply a list of jobs. It is a short business document that helps an employer understand what you can do, where you have created value and why you are worth interviewing. For South African job seekers, a strong CV should be easy to scan, truthful and adapted to the role.
Start with a clear professional identity
Put your name, professional title and contact details near the top. Your title should describe the type of work you want rather than making a vague statement such as “hard worker”. For example, “Junior Web Developer”, “IT Support Technician” or “Digital Marketing Assistant” immediately gives the reader context.
Write a useful professional summary
Use three to five sentences to connect your experience, strengths and career direction. Mention the tools or environments you know when they matter to the job. Avoid filling this section with empty adjectives. Evidence is stronger than claims: “Supported users with Windows, Microsoft 365 and network troubleshooting” tells an employer more than “I am a passionate IT professional.”
Turn duties into achievements
For each job, explain what you were responsible for and what changed because of your work. If you reduced response time, helped customers, improved a process, completed projects or trained colleagues, say so. Numbers are useful when they are accurate, but never invent statistics just to make a CV look impressive.
Keep the document easy to read
Use consistent headings, sensible spacing and one or two professional fonts. Keep important information near the beginning. A two-page CV can be appropriate when you have enough relevant experience, while a shorter CV may be better for a graduate or entry-level applicant.
Make every application relevant
Before submitting your CV, compare it with the vacancy. If the employer asks for WordPress, Python, customer support or digital marketing experience and you genuinely have that experience, make it easy to find. Do not copy the vacancy word-for-word or claim skills you do not have.
Use PLS Solution’s CV tools
PLS Solution provides a CV builder designed to help you structure your information into a professional layout. Use the tool as a starting point, then proofread the final document carefully. A polished design cannot compensate for inaccurate information or spelling mistakes.
Final check: verify your phone number and email address, check dates, remove unrelated information, make sure your PDF opens correctly and read the document once from an employer’s point of view.