CV maker for South Africa
Make a professional CV in South Africa
Build a CV for jobs in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban or Pretoria that gets through applicant tracking systems and reads well to recruiters. Get help with the wording, then check it for free.
Free to build and preview, on any phone.
Everything you need to apply for jobs in South Africa
AI CV builder
Fill in each section and get suggested bullet points, skills and a summary that you edit.
Create your CVUpload and rebuild
Have an old CV? Upload the PDF or Word file and we fill your details into a new design.
Upload my CVFree ATS checker
A score out of 100 and every issue explained, so your CV gets past hiring software.
Check my CVFree cover letter
A one-page letter written from the job advert and your experience, signed and ready.
Write a letter70 templates
All A4, with and without a photo, easy for hiring software to read. Switch any time.
See templates
How to write a CV for employers in South Africa
Large South African employers and recruitment agencies screen with applicant tracking systems, and many roles get hundreds of applicants. A clean single-column CV that uses the advert's own words gives you the best chance of reaching a person.
These are common practice, not rules. When an advert asks for something different, follow the advert.
- Length
- 1 page entry level, 2 pages mid-career, 3 at most for senior roles.
- Layout
- Single column with standard headings; it reads most reliably in ATS software.
- Photo
- Leave it off unless the employer asks for one.
- ID number
- Not required on the CV. Keep it off copies you send to recruiters you do not know.
- Qualifications
- Name your qualification and NQF level where relevant, e.g. National Diploma (NQF 6).
- References
- 2 to 3 professional references, or "available on request".
Start with a design you like
70 templates, all sized for A4. Change the colour, font and spacing to make it yours.
How it works
- 1
Choose a template
Pick one of the 70, with or without a photo, to suit employers in South Africa.
- 2
Fill in your details
Type them in with help on the wording, or upload your old CV and we read it for you.
- 3
Check, download and apply
Run the free ATS check, preview everything, then download your PDF and start applying.
Where people in South Africa apply
Job sites commonly used in South Africa. We are not connected to them; send them a CV built here.
- PNet
- Careers24
- Indeed South Africa
CV guides by job
Questions from South Africa
Something else? Message us on WhatsApp.
It is not required. Many people leave it off and give it when an employer asks, to protect against identity theft.
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Built for job seekers in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria or Gqeberha. Free to build and preview.