How many times should I proofread my CV?

Proofread your CV at least 3 times: once for content accuracy, once for spelling and grammar, and once for formatting consistency. Additionally, have at least one other person review it. Reading your CV aloud helps catch errors your eyes might miss.

What file format should I submit my CV in?

Submit your CV as a PDF unless the job posting specifically requests a .docx file. PDF preserves your formatting across all devices and operating systems, ensuring your CV looks exactly as you designed it when the recruiter opens it.

How should I name my CV file?

Use a professional naming convention: "FirstName_LastName_Position.pdf" or "FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf". Avoid generic names like "CV.pdf" or "My Resume.pdf" — recruiters receive hundreds of files and need to identify yours easily.

Should I include references on my CV?

In Tanzania and East Africa, including 2-3 references is standard practice. List their full name, job title, company, phone number, and email. Always get permission before listing someone as a reference. If space is limited, you can write "References available upon request."

Ultimate CV Checklist 2026: Review Before Applying

You have spent time crafting your CV, tailoring it for the job, and making it look professional. But before you attach it to that application email or upload it to Ajira Portal, there is one crucial step: the final review.

Use this comprehensive checklist to ensure your CV is flawless before it reaches a recruiter's desk. Save this page — you will want to use it for every application.

Contact Information Checklist

Full name is prominently displayed at the top
Phone number is correct and includes country code (+255)
Email address is professional (firstname.lastname@email.com)
Location is included (city, country)
LinkedIn profile URL is included (if applicable)
No personal details like age, marital status, religion, or ID number
Contact information is in the main body, not hidden in a header

Professional Summary Checklist

Summary is 2-4 sentences long
Includes your job title or professional identity
Mentions years of experience (if applicable)
Highlights 2-3 key achievements or strengths
Is tailored to the specific job you are applying for
Contains keywords from the job description
Does NOT use "I" (writes in implied first person)

Work Experience Checklist

Listed in reverse chronological order (most recent first)
Each entry includes: job title, company name, location, dates
Dates use a consistent format (e.g., Jan 2023 - Dec 2025)
3-5 bullet points per role (more for recent/relevant roles)
Bullet points start with strong action verbs
Achievements include numbers and measurable results
Content focuses on achievements, not just duties
Most relevant experience is given the most detail
Gaps longer than 6 months are addressed

Education Checklist

Listed in reverse chronological order
Includes degree name, institution, graduation year
GPA or class included if impressive (First Class, Upper Second)
Relevant coursework mentioned (for recent graduates)
Academic achievements and awards included
No primary school information (unless specifically required)

Skills Section Checklist

Includes 8-12 relevant skills
Skills are categorised (Technical vs Soft Skills)
Most relevant skills listed first
Skills match keywords from the job description
Skills are specific, not generic ("Advanced Excel with Pivot Tables" not just "Computer skills")
Proficiency levels included where applicable

Formatting Checklist

CV is 1-2 pages maximum
Uses a clean, professional template
Font is professional and readable (Arial, Calibri, Helvetica) at 10-12pt
Headings are consistent in style and size
Bullet points are uniform throughout
Margins are adequate (at least 2cm)
White space makes the CV easy to scan
No orphan lines or awkward page breaks
Paper size is A4
Saved as PDF (unless .docx is specifically requested)

ATS Compatibility Checklist

Standard section headings used
No tables or text boxes for critical information
No graphics, icons, or images (unless specifically appropriate)
Keywords from job description included naturally
Acronyms spelled out at first mention
File is in PDF format
All text is selectable (not embedded in images)

Content Quality Checklist

No spelling or grammar errors (proofread 3 times)
No typos in company names or job titles
Consistent tense (past tense for previous jobs, present for current)
No first-person pronouns (I, me, my)
No negative language about previous employers
All information is truthful and accurate
No contradictions in dates or details
Languages listed with proficiency levels

Final Review Checklist

CV is tailored for this specific job application
Professional summary addresses the role's key requirements
The CV would make a strong first impression in 7 seconds
A friend or colleague has proofread it
File name is professional: "FirstName_LastName_Position.pdf"
The CV tells a coherent career story from top to bottom
You would be proud to show this CV to anyone

Get a Checklist-Ready CV

Going through this checklist with a CV built on CV Chap Chap? Most of these formatting and design items are already handled by our professional templates. Focus your energy on the content — our AI helps with that too.

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The Ultimate CV Checklist Before You Apply for Any Job