How Should Your CV Look in 2026?

What does a good CV look like for the South African job market in 2026? Does your CV clearly communicate what you can do? Is your experience easy to understand? Is the recruiter able to easily locate your contact details and qualifications on the CV?

A CV is the first impression a potential employer will have of you. It does not have to be expensive or fancy but it must be clear, professional and above all, truthful. It must contain your skills, qualifications and experience.

What are the requirements for CVs in South Africa? Should you include a photograph? How many pages should your CV be? Should you include your ID number? Do you need a modern design?

Are you applying for jobs in 2026? If so, you will need a good CV to help you secure interviews. The CV does not have to be written by a professional writer; in fact, a sensible layout, correct information and a few tips will suffice to create a CV that will allow the employer to easily see why you would be a good fit for the position.

The guide below can be used by anyone seeking employment in 2026, regardless of their level of experience. Whether you are a matriculant, graduate or even an experienced professional, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to create a CV that will enable you to present your skills, qualifications and experience in the best possible light to potential employers.

What Should a CV Look Like in 2026?

A good CV in 2026 is clean, easy to read, professionally organized and relevant to the job you’re applying for.

A CV does not need to be fancy or expensive. In fact, a simple, clean, professional CV is often more effective at getting you the job than a very fancy, complicated one.

The following length, font, layout, content and design is ideal for job applications:

• Length: Typically 1-2 pages for entry-level candidates and 2-3 pages for more experienced candidates. This can vary depending on the employer’s requirements as stated in the job advertisement.
• Font: Use a readable font such as Arial, Calibri or Aptos. Body text should usually be around 10.5-12 points.
• Layout: Clear headings, consistent spacing, use bullet points.
• Work experience: Start with the most recent position.
• File format: If possible, use PDF. Unless the employer specifically asks for Word or another format.
• Content: Relevant qualifications, experience, skills, achievements.
• Design: Professional, with enough white space to make it easy to scan information.

The format that an employer would require for a job application in South Africa would depend on the job, industry and application instructions.

More tips on formatting, content and how to apply for jobs can be found in the Western Cape Government’s guide on how to create a CV.

1. Start with your name and contact details

At the top of your CV, it should be immediately clear who you are and how an employer can contact you.

This section can be placed at the top of the CV. Put your full name in a slightly larger font than the rest of the text on the CV. Below this, list your main contact details.

Example:

THANDO MOLEFE

Pretoria, Gauteng

Cellphone: 07X XXX XXXX

Email: thando.molefe@example.com

LinkedIn: (If applicable, your profile link)

This is a fictional example of how you can arrange your information.

Remember to check your contact details are correct on a regular basis, especially if you are applying for jobs online as you may be contacted by phone, email or even via the online recruitment platform.

Should you include your ID number?

In most cases, you don’t need to include your full South African identity number on a general CV, unless the employer specifically asks for it through the right process.

Your ID number is sensitive personal information. It’s better to only provide it when necessary and through a verified recruitment channel.

Be careful with your banking details and copies of identity documents too.

Should you include your photograph?

You do not need to include a photograph of yourself on your CV, unless it is requested by the employer for a specific job, for example in the case of models.

The purpose of a CV is to prove to the employer that you are suitable for the job. Your appearance has no bearing on this.

Do you need your full residential address?

Most jobs require you to list your town/city and province, i.e. ‘Polokwane, Limpopo’ rather than your full street address.

This will give the recruiter an idea of where you are located without unnecessarily giving away personal information.

2. Write a short professional summary

A professional summary is a short introduction of yourself in the CV, highlighting your relevant skills and experience and explaining the type of work you are looking for.

This should be placed directly below your contact details.

The summary should be no more than 2-4 sentences. It is not necessary to write a long paragraph of information. Instead, link your relevant skills and experience to the qualities you have listed.

While these qualities can be valuable, they’re more convincing if you link them to relevant skills or experience.

Example for someone with no work experience

“Motivated matric graduate looking for an entry-level position in retail or customer service. Good communication and teamwork skills. Willing to learn, follow procedures and provide professional customer service.”

Example for an experienced applicant

“Customer service professional with 3 years of experience in providing customer service, handling enquiries and resolving routine service issues. Strong communication and problem-solving skills. Experience working in a busy team environment.”

The above examples can be used as a guide to create your own professional summary based on your experience.

You can adapt the professional summary to each job that you are applying for.

3. Arrange your work experience correctly

This section of your CV is very important as it gives the employer an idea of what you have done in the past, your responsibilities and how you can apply your skills to the vacancy.

Begin with your most recent position and list previous positions in reverse chronological order.

For each job, you should include the following:

• Job title
• Employer’s name
• Employment dates
• A few bullet points about your responsibilities and achievements

Example:

Retail Assistant | ABC Retail Store

January 2024 – March 2026

Assisted customers with product enquiries and purchases.

Replenished shelves and maintained product displays.

Assisted with stock checks and helped keep the store organised.

Worked with colleagues to complete daily store tasks.

This is an example. Use your own experience and responsibilities.

Describe your achievements, not just your duties

One way to make your CV better is to explain what you’ve achieved, not just what you did.

Instead of writing “Responsible for customer service”, write “Assisted customers with product enquiries and helped resolve complaints professionally.”

Figures can be very useful to back up your achievements, for example, the number of customers you dealt with each day or the size of the team you supervised.

Don’t make up numbers or exaggerate your responsibilities to make your CV look more impressive.

What if you’ve never worked before?

You can still create a professional CV even if you don’t have formal work experience.

In addition to any work experience, you can include any volunteering, school projects, community activities, practical training, learnerships or part-time work that you have completed.

For example, if you helped organize a community event, you can highlight your teamwork, communication and planning skills.

The employer wants to know what you can do, so even if you have not worked before, you can list relevant courses, practical projects etc.

4. Include your education and qualifications

The education section of your CV should clearly list your qualifications.

List your most recent qualification first.

Include the following details where applicable:

• Qualification or certificate name
• School, college or university
• Year completed or expected completion date
• Relevant subjects, projects or specialisations (if useful)

Example:

National Senior Certificate (Matric)

Example Secondary School

Completed: 2025

If you have completed a diploma or degree, list this first before listing your Matric qualification.

Don’t list all the subjects you did at primary school. Only list the educational information that is relevant to your career stage and the vacancy that you are applying for.

If you are still studying then you should clearly state this and provide your expected completion date where applicable.

Any additional training such as computer literacy, bookkeeping, occupational safety or customer service can be listed in a separate section of your CV.

Make sure the names of your qualifications are correct. Don’t say you’ve completed a course if you haven’t finished it yet.

5. Add a skills section relevant to the job

Your skills section should make it easy for a recruiter to quickly identify what you can offer.

Instead of including all the skills you can think of, focus on the ones relevant to the vacancy.

Examples of technical skills

Technical or job-specific skills can include:

• Microsoft Excel and Word
• Accounting software
• Data entry
• Stock control
• Cashier operations
• Computer programming
• Customer relationship management systems
• Graphic design software

Only list tools you can actually use, even if you only have basic knowledge of them. If you only have basic knowledge of a tool, you should state that instead of giving the impression that you are an advanced user.

Examples of transferable skills

Transferable skills can be used in different jobs and industries.

Examples of transferable skills:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail
• Organisation
• Adaptability

But don’t just fill the page with generic qualities without evidence.

If you say you have strong organizational skills, you should be able to provide examples of how you used those skills in your work history or in projects that you have completed.

For example, instead of saying “organised”, you can describe how you helped organize stock records or coordinated a group project.

6. Should you include references on your CV?

These are people that can be contacted by the employer to verify your experience and skills.

You can include references on your CV or write ‘References available on request’.

If you do include references, make sure they are people who can speak positively about your work and the skills that you possess. This could be a previous employer, manager, lecturer or even a teacher.

Always ask for permission from the people you list as references and make sure their contact details are correct.

Don’t include friends or family members as professional references unless the employer specifically allows personal references.

For example, if you have never worked before, a lecturer, teacher or person who supervised you in your volunteering can provide a relevant reference.

The employer will let you know if they require references on your CV, and you can provide these when requested.

7. Use a simple, professional CV design

A modern CV doesn’t have to look like a marketing brochure.

Make sure that the layout of the CV is easy to read. Keep the font consistent, use clear section headings and allow for adequate spacing between paragraphs.

Which font should you use?

Some common readable fonts include Arial, Calibri, Aptos and Helvetica.

Use a comfortable font size for the body text. This is usually around 10.5-12 points. Make the headings slightly larger or bold so it’s easy to identify the different sections.

Don’t use many different decorative fonts or write everything in capital letters in your paragraphs.

Should you use colours?

A small amount of color can be used for creative roles but the most acceptable format for most applications is black text on a white background.

Do not use too many colours as this may be difficult to read and may not print well.

Should you use a CV template?

Yes, a template can save time, especially if you’re creating your first CV.

Choose a simple layout with clear headings and remove any unnecessary images, sample text and sections that are not applicable to your experience.

The template should help you organise your information, not dictate what you say.

Are two-column CVs okay in 2026?

Two-column CVs can be okay in some cases. But a single-column layout is often a safer option for online applications because some recruitment systems may struggle to interpret complex layouts.

If you use columns, tables, icons or text boxes, make sure the document is still readable when copied into plain text.

The idea isn’t to avoid design completely. It’s to make sure your design doesn’t hide or distort your qualifications and experience.

8. Make your CV ready for online applications and ATS software

Many employers use applicant tracking systems (commonly known as ATS software) to organise applications and extract information from CVs.

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) can vary greatly in the way that they process information from a CV, so it is best to make your CV as easy to read as possible for both software and human recruiters.

Here are some practical things you can do.

Use standard section headings

Use headings like:

• Professional summary
• Work experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications
• References

Do not change the headings to more creative terms as the software may not recognize them.

Use relevant keywords naturally

Carefully read the job advertisement. Look for the qualifications, skills and responsibilities the employer mentions.

For example, if the job requires stock control, customer service and basic computer skills, you can include those terms where they’re relevant to your experience.

Don’t use too many keywords or say you have skills you don’t actually have.

Avoid unnecessary graphics

Make sure important information is available as selectable text, not just in an image or decorative graphic.

Make sure the structure is simple so it’s readable when processed by recruitment software.

Save your file in the requested format

PDF is often the best format to use as it preserves formatting, however some recruitment systems only accept Word documents.

Make sure you read the advertisement to check what format the employer requires. If you use PDF then make sure you open the final file to check that the text looks right and there are no missing pages.

Save your file with a professional file name, such as Thando_Molefe_CV.pdf instead of finalfinal2.pdf.

9. What should you leave out of your CV in 2026?

A good CV is about relevant information, not everything about your life.

Your full identity number; banking details and passwords; marital status; religion or political affiliation; any other personal details that are not relevant to the job; unrequested photographs; any qualifications or experience that are not truthful; any other personal details of former employers or colleagues that are not relevant to the job.

As a general rule, you do not need to include your date of birth or health information on a regular CV unless there is a specific reason for doing so.

When uploading your CV to a website, be careful. Make sure the website is genuine before you upload your CV, as it contains personal information.

There is no need to include more information on your CV than is required by the recruitment process.

10. How long should your CV be in 2026?

There’s no universal page limit that applies to everyone.

For an entry-level applicant a CV of 1-2 pages can include all relevant information such as education, skills, projects and experience.

For someone with more experience a 2-3 page CV is usually sufficient. Senior professionals and applicants with very specialized academic or technical backgrounds may require more pages.

The important thing is to avoid unnecessary repetition.

For example, if you have written a paragraph describing a responsibility in another section, shorten it in the Work Experience section. If you have an old qualification that is not relevant to your current career and is of little value, consider removing it.

Don’t make the font tiny just to fit everything on one page. A readable two-page CV is often better than a crowded one-page CV.

For more information on how to present your experience, achievements and qualifications on your CV, see University of South Africa’s CV-writing resource.

11. A simple CV layout you can use

If you’re not sure where to start, you can use this structure as a starting point.

<box border radius=”lg” padding={4} gap={3}> <title size=”lg”>YOUR FULL NAME</title> <text color=”secondary” size=”sm”>City, Province | Cellphone number | Professional email</text> <divider color=”subtle”/> <title size=”md”>Professional Summary</title> A short introduction describing your background, relevant strengths and career goal. <divider color=”subtle”/> <title size=”md”>Key Skills</title> – Relevant technical skills – Communication and teamwork – Job-specific knowledge <divider color=”subtle”/> <title size=”md”>Work Experience</title> **Job Title — Employer Name**

Employment dates

Relevant responsibility or achievement.
Relevant responsibility or achievement. <divider color=”subtle”/>

<title size=”md”>Education</title> **Qualification Name — Institution**

Year completed or expected completion date. <divider color=”subtle”/>

<title size=”md”>Certifications and Training</title> Relevant certificates, short courses or training programmes. <divider color=”subtle”/> <title size=”md”>References</title> Available on request or suitable references with permission. </box>

You can change the order of sections depending on your experience. For example, if you’ve just finished matric, you may want to list your education before your work experience. If you have a long work history, you may want to focus more on your work experience.

12. Final checklist before you send your CV

Take a few minutes to check your document before you submit your application.

• My name and contact details are correct.
• My CV is relevant to the job I’m applying for.
• My most recent work experience is listed first.
• My qualifications and dates are correct.
• My skills are relevant and truthful.
• My CV is easy to read on a phone or computer.
• I’ve checked my spelling and grammar.
• My references have agreed to be contacted.
• I’ve saved the file in the format the employer requested.
• I’ve checked that the recruitment website or email address is genuine.

If possible, ask someone you trust to check your CV. They might spot a mistake you missed.

Frequently Asked Questions about CVs in 2026

Should I include a photograph on my CV?

No, unless requested by the employer or required for the job.

Is a one-page CV better than a two-page CV?

Not necessarily. A one-page CV can be good for someone with little experience. But a two-page CV may be better if you want to provide an overview of a broader background. Choose the length that clearly communicates your relevant information.

Should I include an objective statement?

An objective statement can be used, particularly for those starting out in their careers or changing careers. A professional summary, however, can be more effective as it outlines what you can offer the employer as well as what you are looking for in the role.

Should I write my CV in English?

You should write your CV in the language specified in the vacancy advertisement. English is often the language used for applications, but many jobs in South Africa require other languages as well. Be honest about your language skills.

Does a good CV guarantee an interview?

No. There are many factors that the employer considers, such as qualifications, experience, competition for the job, and job requirements. A good CV will help to convey your suitability for the job, but it does not guarantee that you will be shortlisted for an interview.

Conclusion

So, what should a CV look like in 2026?

Your CV should be a professional document that is easy to read, relevant to the job you are applying for, and truthful about your qualifications and experience.

The CV starts with your contact details. This is followed by a short, focused professional summary. List the relevant skills and qualifications that you have. Then list your experience in a logical order. Make sure that your CV is presented in a simple format that is suitable for online applications. Finally, check your CV carefully before sending it.

You don’t need an expensive template or years of experience to create a good CV. A recent matriculant can create a strong application, just like an experienced professional. Provided you clearly communicate what you offer.

Tailor each of your CVs to each of the suitable vacancies. This extra effort will help potential employers understand your background and see whether your skills match their requirements.

Remember, a CV does not have to detail your entire life story. It only needs to present the best possible case for why you are the best person for the job.