How to Write a CV That Gets You Interviews in Nigeria

Recruiters spend only seconds on each CV. A clear, honest one-to-two-page CV that shows what you achieved — not just what you did — is what gets the phone ringing.

Illustration of a CV document, a briefcase and a phone ringing

👀 What recruiters look for first

1–2 pagesideal length

Secondsfor a first look

Resultsbeat duties every time

🧾 What to include

Contact detailsFull name, phone number, a professional email (not cutebabe2000@…), city and a LinkedIn link if you have one.
A short profileThree or four lines: who you are, your main skills and the kind of role you want.
Work experienceMost recent first. For each job: title, company, dates and 3–5 bullet points of what you achieved.
EducationDegree, school, year and class of degree. Add NYSC status — many Nigerian employers ask for it.
Skills and certificationsSoftware, languages, licences and professional certificates (ICAN, CIPM, Google, etc.).

💡

Show results

Turn duties into results with numbers: instead of “Handled sales”, write “Grew monthly sales from ₦2m to ₦3.5m in 8 months”. Numbers make recruiters stop and read.

❌ Common mistakes Nigerian CVs make

📸

Unnecessary personal details

Most jobs don’t need your photo, religion, state of origin, marital status or number of children. Add them only if the job asks.

Leave out

📜

Too long

Five pages listing every seminar you attended hides your real strengths.

Cut it down

🎨

Busy designs

Fancy colours and columns can confuse online application systems. Clean and simple wins.

Keep it clean

🔤

Spelling errors

One typo can cost you the interview. Read it aloud and ask a friend to check.

Proofread

📋

One CV for every job

Adjust your profile and top bullet points for each role you apply for.

Tailor it

🤥

Fake information

Employers check certificates and references. Lies can get you sacked even after you are hired.

Stay honest

🎓 No experience yet?

Put NYSC, internships, IT/SIWES placements and volunteering under “Experience”.
Add school projects, leadership roles and competitions.
List free online courses and skills you have practised.
Write a strong profile that shows energy and willingness to learn.

⚠️

Never pay for a job

Real employers do not ask you to pay for a job, “processing”, medicals or training before an interview. If they do, it is likely a scam.

📤 Before you hit send

Save as PDF with a clear name: “Ada-Okafor-CV.pdf”.
Write a short, polite cover email — don’t send a blank email with an attachment.
Check the job title and company name are correct.
Follow up politely after a week if you hear nothing.

💬

Join the conversation

What is the best CV tip you have ever received? · Recruiters: what makes you reject a CV immediately?

Frequently asked questions

Should I put my photo on my CV in Nigeria?

Usually no. Most employers do not need it, and it can lead to bias. Add a photo only if the job advert asks for one.

How long should a CV be?

One to two pages for most people. Senior professionals with many years of experience may go slightly longer.

Should I include NYSC on my CV?

Yes. Many Nigerian employers want to know your NYSC status, so include your discharge or exemption certificate details.

Written by the askJBoss team from public information and our own research; last updated October 2026. Prices, dates and rules change — always confirm with the official source. Spotted something that has changed? Tell us in the comments.