Order changes how you are read
Shortlisters often skim a CV quickly. What they see first shapes their judgement. Putting your strongest, most relevant material near the top makes their job easy.
The standard order
For most people with work experience, a Kenyan CV follows this order:
- Name and a one-line headline
- Contact details
- A short profile written for this job
- Key skills
- Experience, most recent first
- Education
- Certifications and memberships
- Languages, if relevant
- Referees
The headline and profile do the most work. In a few lines, they tell the reader who you are and why you fit.
Adjust for your situation
The standard order is not fixed. Change it to put your strengths first.
- Recent graduates should move education up and expand it. Include projects, attachments, internships and student leadership. Part-time work and volunteering count.
- Career changers should open with a profile that names the change and the transferable evidence. A short section of relevant experience can come before the full history.
Whatever you change, keep your real history and dates visible.
Length
In Kenya, two pages is normal for anyone with a few years' experience. One page is fine for a fresh graduate. A third page on a mid-level CV suggests you cannot prioritise.
Dates and gaps
Use month and year for every role. Gaps are normal and happen for many reasons. Hiding them with year-only dates often makes readers more suspicious. If a gap is long, explain it in one line.
What to leave off
Do not include your ID number, date of birth, marital status, religion or tribe. Leave off a photo unless the posting asks. These details are not needed to shortlist you and can invite bias.
A quick test
Hand your CV to a friend for ten seconds. Ask what job you are going for and why you fit. If they cannot say, move your best evidence higher.
In the full lesson
- What belongs in each section, including an example headline
- How many bullets to give recent roles, and how to shorten older ones
- How to present contact details and referees
- The complete list of personal details to leave out, and why