How to Write a CV That Gets You Hired – Complete Guide

Introduction

A good CV does more than list your education and previous jobs. It gives an employer a quick picture of what you can do, what you have achieved, and why your experience may be relevant to the position.

For many job seekers, the difficult part is knowing what to include and what to leave out. A CV that is too long can hide your strongest qualifications, while one that is too short may fail to show useful experience.

If you are a student, fresh graduate, experienced professional, career changer, or someone applying for jobs in Nigeria, learning how to write a CV that gets you hired can make your job search more organised and professional.

There is no magic CV that guarantees employment. However, you can create a document that is clear, relevant, truthful, easy to scan, and tailored to the job you want.

What Is a CV?

A CV, or Curriculum Vitae, is a document that presents your professional background to an employer. Depending on the country, industry, and type of position, it may include your education, employment history, skills, certifications, achievements, projects, and other relevant experience.

In Nigeria, employers commonly request a CV when advertising professional, graduate, internship, administrative, technical, teaching, healthcare, sales, and other positions.

Your CV should answer a simple question:

Why should an employer consider you for this particular role?

That does not mean filling the document with every activity you have ever done. The strongest CV focuses attention on information that is relevant to the position.

How to Write a CV That Gets You Hired

1. Start With the Job Description

Before writing or editing your CV, read the job advertisement carefully.

Look at the responsibilities, qualifications, required skills, years of experience, certifications, software, and other requirements mentioned by the employer.

Create a short list of the requirements you genuinely meet. Your CV should then make those qualifications easy to find.

For example, if a vacancy asks for:

• Customer service experience
• Microsoft Excel
• Communication skills
• Record keeping
• Problem-solving

Do not simply write, “I am a hardworking person with good communication skills.”

Instead, show where you used those abilities.

For example:

• Managed customer enquiries and resolved routine complaints.
• Maintained digital records using Microsoft Excel.
• Prepared weekly reports and communicated updates to supervisors.

This approach gives the employer evidence instead of general claims.

2. Choose a Clean CV Format

For most job applications, a simple reverse-chronological format is a practical choice. This means your most recent relevant experience appears first.

A basic structure can look like this:

1. Name and contact information
2. Professional summary
3. Work experience
4. Education
5. Skills
6. Certifications
7. Projects or volunteer experience, where relevant
8. Additional information, where useful

Your design should make the document easy to scan.

Avoid excessive colours, decorative graphics, unusual fonts, complicated tables, and large design elements unless they are genuinely appropriate for your profession.

For example, a graphic designer may have more flexibility with presentation than an accountant applying to a conventional corporate role.

3. Put Your Contact Information at the Top

Your name should be easy to see at the top of the CV.

Include useful contact details such as:

• Phone number
• Professional email address
• City and country
• LinkedIn profile, if it is relevant and properly maintained
• Portfolio website, where applicable

You generally do not need to provide your complete residential address.

Use a professional email address. An address based on your name is usually safer than one containing jokes, nicknames, slang, or unrelated expressions.

For example:

Good: firstname.lastname@email.com

Less professional: bigboy2020@email.com

Check every contact detail before submitting your application. A strong CV becomes useless if an employer cannot contact you.

4. Write a Short Professional Summary

A professional summary is a brief introduction placed near the top of your CV.

It should tell the employer who you are, what you are good at, and what type of value you can bring.

Avoid vague statements such as:

“I am a hardworking, passionate and dedicated individual looking for an opportunity to grow.”

Almost any applicant can write that sentence.

A stronger version would be more specific:

“Recent accounting graduate with internship experience in financial record keeping, Excel reporting and basic bookkeeping. Skilled in data entry, reconciliation and preparing organised financial documents, with an interest in developing a career in accounting and finance.”

The second example gives the reader useful information immediately.

5. Focus on Achievements, Not Only Duties

One of the most common CV weaknesses is listing responsibilities without showing results.

Compare these two examples.

Weak:

“Responsible for managing social media accounts.”

Stronger:

“Created and scheduled social media content for three platforms, maintained a weekly content calendar and monitored engagement reports.”

The second version explains what the applicant actually did.

Whenever possible, include measurable results.

You might mention:

• Number of customers served
• Number of people trained
• Amount of money managed
• Number of projects completed
• Percentage improvement
• Number of social media posts created
• Number of students taught
• Time saved through a process improvement

Do not invent figures simply to make your CV impressive. Only include results you can genuinely support.

6. Use Strong Action Words

Action verbs make CV statements clearer and more direct.

Useful examples include:

• Managed
• Developed
• Created
• Analysed
• Designed
• Coordinated
• Prepared
• Improved
• Organised
• Assisted
• Trained
• Supervised
• Implemented
• Researched
• Maintained
• Delivered

Instead of writing:

“Was responsible for preparing monthly reports.”

Write:

“Prepared monthly performance reports for management review.”

The second sentence is shorter and starts with a clear action.

7. Tailor Your CV for Each Job

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is sending exactly the same CV to every employer.

Your main experience may remain the same, but the emphasis should change according to the vacancy.

For example, a marketing graduate applying for a social media position should emphasise relevant experience in:

• Content creation
• Social media management
• Analytics
• Copywriting
• Digital marketing
• Campaign support

The same person applying for a customer service position may need to give greater attention to:

• Customer communication
• Complaint resolution
• Record keeping
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving

Tailoring does not mean lying or changing your qualifications. It means presenting your genuine experience in a way that is relevant to the position.

8. Include the Right Skills

Your skills section should contain abilities that are relevant to the job.

Technical skills may include:

• Microsoft Excel
• WordPress
• Adobe Photoshop
• Python
• Data analysis
• Bookkeeping software
• Customer relationship management software

Depending on the position, useful workplace skills may include:

• Communication
• Research
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Organisation
• Project coordination
• Time management

Avoid creating a huge list of skills without evidence.

If you claim that you are highly skilled in Excel, for example, your work experience or projects should ideally demonstrate how you have used it.

9. Make Your CV Friendly to Applicant Tracking Systems

Some employers use Applicant Tracking Systems, commonly called ATS, to help organise and screen applications.

This is one reason simple formatting can be useful.

Use standard section headings such as:

• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications

Use keywords that accurately match important requirements in the job description.

For example, if the vacancy specifically requires “customer relationship management,” do not rely entirely on a vague phrase such as “good with customers.”

However, never fill your CV with keywords that you cannot honestly support. An ATS-friendly CV still needs to make sense to the human recruiter who eventually reads it.

10. Present Your Work Experience Clearly

For each relevant job, internship, contract, or major position, provide:

• Job title
• Organisation
• Location where useful
• Employment dates
• Key achievements and responsibilities

Use reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent relevant experience.

For example:

Administrative Assistant
ABC Company, Lagos
January 2025 – August 2026

• Maintained digital and physical records.
• Prepared weekly administrative reports.
• Responded to customer enquiries by phone and email.
• Supported scheduling and document preparation.

Keep the descriptions focused on useful information rather than writing long paragraphs.

How to Write a CV With No Work Experience

Use Education and Projects

Not having formal employment does not mean you have nothing to put on a CV.

Students and fresh graduates can highlight:

• Academic projects
• Internships
• Industrial training
• Volunteer work
• Student leadership
• Freelance work
• Personal projects
• Relevant certifications
• Competitions
• Community activities

For example, a graduate applying for a digital marketing position could mention a personal project where they created content, managed a small social media page, analysed engagement, or built a basic website.

Highlight Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are abilities that can be used in different jobs.

Examples include:

• Communication
• Research
• Organisation
• Teamwork
• Presentation
• Problem-solving
• Data handling
• Time management

Do not simply list these skills. Give evidence of how you developed or used them.

How Long Should a CV Be?

There is no universal page limit that applies to every profession and country.

For many early-career job seekers, a concise one- or two-page CV can be enough to communicate the most relevant information. More experienced professionals may require additional pages when their career history, qualifications, research, publications, or specialist experience genuinely justify the extra space.

The key question is not simply, “How many pages is my CV?”

Ask instead:

Does every section help demonstrate my suitability for this position?

Remove outdated or irrelevant information when it adds little value.

What You Should Remove From Your CV

Avoid Unnecessary Personal Information

Unless an employer or application specifically requires it, be cautious about including information such as:

• Religion
• Marital status
• National identification numbers
• Bank details
• Complete residential address
• Unrelated personal information

Requirements vary between countries and industries, so always follow the instructions for the specific application.

Avoid Unprofessional Photos

A photograph is not required for every CV and can be inappropriate for some applications.

Follow the employer’s instructions and the conventions of the country and industry.

If a photo is not requested, a clean CV without one is often the safer general approach.

Remove Generic Clichés

Words such as “hardworking,” “passionate,” and “team player” are not necessarily bad, but they become weak when there is no evidence behind them.

Instead of saying:

“Excellent team player.”

Explain what you actually did:

“Collaborated with four team members to complete a student research project before the submission deadline.”

Evidence is more useful than self-description.

Common CV Mistakes to Avoid

Spelling and Grammar Errors

A single mistake may not determine your application, but a CV containing many errors can make it harder to read and may create an unprofessional impression.

Proofread carefully.

Ask another person to review the document if possible.

Using One CV for Every Job

A generic CV may fail to highlight the experience that matters most for a particular position.

Tailor the summary, skills, and experience bullets to the vacancy.

Making the CV Too Complicated

Fancy layouts can look attractive but may reduce readability.

Use a professional font, consistent headings, reasonable spacing, and clear bullet points.

Exaggerating Your Qualifications

Never claim qualifications, work experience, certificates, software knowledge, or achievements you do not have.

Recruiters may ask about them during interviews, and employers can verify important credentials.

A truthful CV is more sustainable than an impressive-looking CV built on false information.

Listing Duties Without Results

A long list of responsibilities does not necessarily show what you accomplished.

Where possible, explain your contribution and the outcome.

How to Check Your CV Before Applying

Before submitting an application, complete this checklist:

1. Read the job description again.
2. Confirm that your name and contact information are correct.
3. Check spelling and grammar.
4. Remove irrelevant information.
5. Make sure your employment dates are accurate.
6. Confirm that your qualifications are correctly stated.
7. Check that your skills match the position where appropriate.
8. Make sure your strongest experience is easy to find.
9. Review the formatting on a phone and computer.
10. Save the final document in the format requested by the employer.

If PDF is requested, check the exported PDF before sending it. Make sure the pages, headings, spacing, links, and bullet points display correctly.

CV Tips for Nigerian Job Seekers

Nigerian applicants may apply through company websites, recruitment platforms, email, referrals, professional networks, and other channels.

Pay close attention to the exact application instructions.

For example, if an employer requests a CV with a particular filename, use the requested format rather than creating your own.

A professional Nigerian CV can include your location at city or state level when relevant, such as Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Kano, or Port Harcourt. There is generally no need to expose unnecessary private residential details.

Fresh graduates should not assume that their CV must remain empty until they get their first full-time job. Internships, NYSC-related experience where applicable, volunteering, freelance work, student projects, training, and relevant certifications can help demonstrate practical ability.

The most important principle is relevance. Your CV should make it easy for an employer to see the connection between your background and the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best CV format for a job application?

For many conventional job applications, a clean reverse-chronological format is practical. It places recent and relevant experience first, making it easier for recruiters to understand your career history.

How many pages should a CV be?

A CV should be as long as necessary to present relevant information clearly. For many students and early-career applicants, one or two pages may be sufficient, while experienced professionals may need more space.

How do I write a CV with no work experience?

Focus on education, internships, projects, volunteering, certifications, freelance activities, leadership experience, and transferable skills. Explain what you actually did rather than simply listing skills.

Should I include my photo on my CV?

It depends on the country, profession, employer, and application instructions. If a photo is not requested, leaving it out is generally a straightforward approach for many professional applications.

Should I include references on my CV?

Only include references when they are requested or clearly expected for the application. Otherwise, the space can often be used for more relevant information about your skills and experience.

What skills should I put on my CV?

Include skills that are relevant to the position and that you genuinely possess. Combine technical skills with relevant workplace skills, and provide evidence of important skills through your experience or projects.

How can I make my CV ATS-friendly?

Use clear headings, straightforward formatting, readable text, and relevant keywords from the job description. Avoid stuffing keywords or using information that is not truthful.

Should I send my CV as a PDF?

If the employer requests PDF, send PDF. If no format is specified, check the application instructions and employer preferences. Always review the final file before submitting it.

Can a fresh graduate have a professional CV?

Yes. A professional CV does not require years of employment. A fresh graduate can build a strong CV around education, internships, projects, certifications, volunteer work, skills, and measurable achievements.

How often should I update my CV?

Update your CV whenever you gain a significant skill, qualification, project, certification, job, volunteer experience, or measurable achievement. It is also useful to review it before applying for a new type of position.

Conclusion

Learning how to write a CV that gets you hired is mainly about making relevant information easy for an employer to understand.

Start with the job description, choose a clean format, present your strongest experience clearly, focus on achievements, use relevant keywords naturally, and remove information that does not support your application.

If you are a fresh graduate or have limited experience, use projects, internships, volunteering, certifications, education, and transferable skills to demonstrate what you can contribute.

Most importantly, keep your CV truthful. A well-organised CV cannot guarantee a job, but it can give an employer a much clearer reason to consider you for the next stage of the recruitment process.