15 Common CV Mistakes Kenyan Job Seekers Make (and How to Fix Them)

The most common CV mistakes in Kenya are listing personal details like ID number and tribe, writing more than two pages, describing duties instead of achievements, sending one generic CV to every job, and leaving typos. Each one is easy to fix.

If you are applying and not getting called, check your CV against this list.

1. Including too much personal information

ID number, date of birth, marital status, number of children, tribe, religion and home village do not belong on a CV. They invite bias and identity fraud. Your name, phone, email and town are enough. See what to leave out in our CV format for Kenya guide.

2. Writing a CV that is too long

Four or five pages lose the recruiter. Keep it to two pages. Shorten older roles to one or two lines. Cut short courses that are not relevant.

3. Listing duties instead of achievements

"Responsible for filing" tells the reader nothing new. Show results: "Reorganised the filing system for 2,000 client records, cutting retrieval time from 15 minutes to 3." Our how to write a CV guide shows the formula.

4. Sending the same CV to every job

A generic CV rarely matches any advert well. Tailor your profile, skills and bullet order for each job using the advert's language.

5. Spelling and grammar errors

Typos suggest carelessness. Common ones: "Curriculum Vitae" misspelled, wrong employer names, mixed tenses, "there/their". Proofread twice, read it aloud, and ask someone else to check.

6. An unprofessional email address

Use a simple address with your name. Create a new free one if your current one is a nickname.

7. Wrong or unreachable phone number

It sounds obvious, but it happens. Check every digit. Use a number you answer, and set a professional voicemail if you can. Keep your phone on during the hiring period.

8. Fancy designs that confuse ATS

Two columns, tables, icons, skill bars and photos can scramble your CV in an applicant tracking system. A clean single-column layout is safer. Read more in our ATS-friendly CV guide.

9. A vague or missing profile

"I am a hardworking, God-fearing, honest person seeking a challenging position" does not help a recruiter. Name your role, years of experience and two or three key skills that match the job.

10. Unexplained gaps

Gaps are normal. Unexplained ones raise questions. If you took time off for study, family, caregiving or a business, add a one-line note. Short courses, volunteering or freelance work during the gap are worth listing.

11. Exaggerating or lying

Inflated job titles, fake qualifications and invented figures are often discovered during reference checks or certificate verification, especially in the public sector. Being caught can end your candidacy or, if discovered later, your job. Present your real experience well instead.

12. Listing irrelevant hobbies and old school details

"Reading, travelling and making friends" adds little. KCPE results and primary school are usually unnecessary once you have KCSE and further education. Only include hobbies that show a relevant skill or achievement.

13. Missing keywords and qualifications from the advert

If the advert asks for "CPA (K)" or "a valid Class C driving licence" and your CV does not say it clearly, you may be screened out, even if you have it. Mirror the exact wording of required qualifications.

14. Poor file naming and format

"Document1.docx" or "CV new final.pdf" looks careless. Send a PDF named Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf, unless the employer asks for Word. Never send a photo of a printed CV.

15. Referees who were never asked

A surprised referee can sink a good candidate. Ask permission, confirm current contacts, and send them your CV. Our guide on referees on a CV explains how.

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Bonus: mistakes in how you apply

• Ignoring instructions: wrong email subject line, missing reference number, or wrong documents.
• Applying after the deadline.
• Paying "application fees": real employers do not charge you to apply. Read our guide to job scams in Kenya.

Quick self-check

Answer yes or no:

• Is my CV two pages or less?
• Did I remove my ID number, age, tribe and religion?
• Does at least half of my experience include a number or result?
• Did I change my profile for this specific job?
• Did someone else proofread it?
• Is it a clearly named PDF?

If any answer is no, fix that first.

Let KaziMatch help

KaziMatch's AI tailors your CV and cover letter to each job advert, using only your real experience, and avoids most of the mistakes above by design: no personal data like ID number or tribe, a clean ATS-friendly layout, and achievement-focused bullets. Check your match with a free fit check.