Career Resources

CV Tips & Career Advice

Practical, no-fluff guidance to help you stand out in the Kenyan and African job market — from writing your CV to acing the interview.

Your CV

CV Dos & Don'ts

Do

  • Tailor your CV to each job — mirror the keywords in the job description
  • Lead with a 3-line professional summary that matches the role
  • Quantify achievements: 'Increased sales by 30%' beats 'Improved sales'
  • Keep it to 1–2 pages for roles under 10 years of experience
  • Use a clean, single-column format — ATS systems struggle with tables
  • Include a professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com)
  • List education in reverse chronological order with graduation year
  • Add relevant certifications (Google, Coursera, local professional bodies)

Don't

  • Don't include a photo — it invites unconscious bias and wastes space
  • Don't use 'Responsible for...' — say what you actually achieved
  • Don't list every job you've ever had — focus on the last 5–7 years
  • Don't use fancy graphics, colours, or multi-column layouts for ATS roles
  • Don't list references — write 'Available on request' or omit entirely
  • Don't use the same generic CV for every application
  • Don't include your ID number, date of birth, or marital status
  • Don't use small fonts below 10pt to cram in more content

Cover Letter

How to write a cover letter that gets read

Open with the role and why you

01

State exactly which job you're applying for, then immediately explain why you're a strong fit — not why you want the job.

One paragraph, one achievement

02

Pick your strongest achievement relevant to this role. Explain what you did, how you did it, and what it resulted in.

Show you know the employer

03

Mention something specific about the company — a recent initiative, their mission, or a product you've used. It shows genuine interest.

Close with a clear call to action

04

End by expressing enthusiasm and inviting next steps. Keep it brief: 'I'd welcome the chance to discuss this further.'

Rule of thumb: A cover letter should be under 250 words. If it's longer, cut it in half. Hiring managers read dozens per day — get to the point.

The Interview

Interview preparation checklist

Research the company the night before — know their products, mission, and recent news

Prepare STAR stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for common behavioural questions

Have 2–3 questions ready to ask the interviewer — it shows genuine interest

Dress one level above the company's typical dress code

Arrive 10 minutes early; for virtual interviews, test your setup 30 minutes before

Send a short thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview

Negotiating your salary in Kenya

Always research the market rate before your interview. Use job listings on this site to gauge what employers are offering for similar roles.

When asked about expectations, give a range — not a single number. Your bottom figure should be the minimum you'd accept; your top should be realistic but aspirational.

It's acceptable to ask for 24 hours to consider a written offer. Never accept on the spot unless you're completely satisfied with the terms.

Beyond base salary, consider: medical cover, pension contributions, transport allowance, airtime, annual leave days, and remote flexibility.

Ready to put this into practice?

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