How to Write a Winning CV for Nigerian Employers

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Learn how to write a winning CV that stands out to Nigerian employers. Step-by-step guide with tips, examples, and mistakes to avoid.

Introduction

In Nigeria’s competitive job market, your CV (Curriculum Vitae) is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. A well-written CV can open doors, while a poorly structured one may prevent you from even being called for an interview. This guide will show you how to write a CV that stands out to Nigerian employers, highlighting the essential sections, formatting tips, and common mistakes to avoid.

1. Keep It Short and Clear

Employers in Nigeria typically receive hundreds of applications for a single role. To stand out:

• Limit your CV to 2 pages maximum.

• Use a clean, professional font such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.

• Organize sections with clear headings (Education, Work Experience, Skills, etc.).

Tip: Avoid long paragraphs. Use bullet points to make achievements easy to scan.

2. Start with Strong Personal Information

Your CV should begin with:

• Full Name

• Professional Title (e.g., Digital Marketer, Civil Engineer)

• Contact Information (phone number, email, and city of residence)

• Links to professional profiles (LinkedIn, portfolio, or GitHub if relevant)

Avoid: Adding unnecessary details like religion, marital status, or date of birth—unless specifically requested.

3. Write a Compelling Career Summary

Instead of the old-fashioned “Objective Statement,” write a Career Summary (3–5 lines) that highlights your key skills and value to employers.

Example:

“Result-driven Accountant with 5 years of experience in financial reporting, tax compliance, and auditing. Skilled in using QuickBooks and SAP, with a proven record of reducing financial discrepancies by 20% in previous roles.”

4. Showcase Work Experience with Achievements

List your experience in reverse chronological order (latest job first).

• Include job title, company name, location, and years worked.

• Highlight achievements, not just duties.

Bad Example:

• “Responsible for preparing reports.”

Good Example:

• “Prepared monthly financial reports that improved decision-making and reduced unnecessary expenses by ₦500,000 annually.”

  5. Highlight Education and Certifications

  • List your degrees in order (highest first).

  • Include professional certifications (e.g., ICAN, PMP, Google Digital Skills).

  • Mention ongoing studies only if relevant.

    
    

    6. Add Key Skills Relevant to the Job

    Employers scan for skills quickly. Include both technical skills and soft skills.

    • Technical Skills: Data Analysis, AutoCAD, Digital Marketing, SQL, etc.

    • Soft Skills: Communication, Leadership, Problem-solving, Adaptability.

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    7. Tailor Your CV for Each Job

    Never send a generic CV. Adjust your:

    • Career Summary

    • Skills

    • Work Experience highlights

    …to match the keywords and requirements in the job description.

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    8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

    • Using a fancy design that confuses applicant tracking systems (ATS).

    • Listing irrelevant jobs from 15 years ago.

    • Having spelling or grammatical errors.

    • Inflating qualifications—employers verify claims.