Why Your CV Matters More in East Africa
In East Africa's competitive job market, your CV is often the only thing standing between you and an interview. With hundreds of applications for each position, recruiters spend an average of 30 seconds scanning each CV. A well-structured, error-free CV immediately sets you apart.
Unlike some Western markets where one-page resumes dominate, East African employers typically expect a 2-page CV that includes detailed education, work history, skills, and references. The key is making every line count.
CV Structure That Works
**1. Personal Details** — Full name, phone number, email, and city. No need to include your age, marital status, or photo unless specifically requested.
**2. Professional Summary** — 2-3 powerful sentences summarizing your experience and value. Tailor this to each application.
**3. Work Experience** — List roles in reverse chronological order. For each position, include your title, company name, dates, and 3-4 bullet points describing achievements (not just responsibilities).
**4. Education** — Include your degree, institution, and graduation year. List relevant coursework only if you're a recent graduate.
**5. Skills** — Technical skills first, then soft skills. Be specific: "Proficient in QuickBooks, Excel, SAP" is better than "Computer literate."
**6. Certifications & Training** — Especially important in accounting, IT, healthcare, and engineering.
**7. References** — Include 2-3 professional references with their title, organization, and contact details. Always ask permission before listing someone.
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
**Generic objectives:** "To obtain a challenging position" tells the employer nothing. Replace with a specific professional summary.
**Spelling and grammar errors:** Have someone proofread your CV. Errors suggest carelessness.
**Including irrelevant experience:** Your secondary school part-time job isn't relevant if you have 5 years of professional experience.
**Not quantifying achievements:** "Increased sales" vs "Increased sales by 35% in Q3 2025" — the second tells a story.
**Using an unprofessional email address:** Create a professional email if needed (firstname.lastname@gmail.com).
**Exceeding 2 pages:** Recruiters won't read a 5-page CV. Be concise.
Tailoring Your CV for Different Industries
**Banking & Finance:** Emphasize numerical skills, compliance knowledge, and relevant certifications (CPA-T, ACCA). Include specific financial metrics you've managed.
**Technology:** List programming languages, frameworks, and tools. Include links to GitHub or portfolio projects. Certifications from AWS, Google, or Microsoft add value.
**Hospitality & Tourism:** Highlight language skills, customer service experience, and any hospitality certifications. Experience in international brands carries weight.
**NGOs & Development:** Focus on project management, reporting, and M&E skills. Include field experience, languages spoken, and knowledge of development frameworks.
**Healthcare:** List all certifications, licenses, and registrations. Clinical experience, specializations, and continuing education are critical.
Build Your CV on Nafasi
Nafasi's guided CV builder makes creating a professional CV effortless. The step-by-step process ensures you include all the information Tanzanian employers expect. Once built, your CV is instantly available when you apply to any job on the platform — no uploading required.
Download the Nafasi app to get started with your free professional CV today.