How to write a CV for your first job in Nigeria
Your first CV does not need years of experience. It needs to be clear, honest and easy to scan in under a minute, because that is often all the time a recruiter gives it. Here is how to write one that gets you to the interview.
What to put on your CV, in order
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Name and contact | Full name, phone number, a professional email address and your city. No need for date of birth, religion or state of origin unless the ad asks for it. |
| Profile | Two or three lines: who you are and the job you want. Example: “Reliable SSCE holder with strong spoken English and Yoruba, looking for a customer service role in Lagos.” |
| Skills | Five to eight skills that match the job ad: languages, computer skills (Word, Excel, email), cash handling, driving or riding licence. |
| Experience | Any work counts: helping in a family shop, NYSC, an internship (SIWES/IT), volunteering, church or mosque events. Say what you did and what changed because of you. |
| Education | Highest first: school, qualification, year. SSCE/WAEC/NECO, OND, HND or BSc. |
| Referees | “Available on request” is enough. Have two names and numbers ready. |
Five rules that make a first CV stand out
1. Match the job ad
Read the ad and use its words. If it asks for “customer service” and “Excel”, those words should appear in your skills and experience. Many employers search CVs by keyword.
2. Keep it to one page
For a first job, one page is enough. Use a plain layout, one font and clear headings. Save it as a PDF named with your name, for example “Amaka-Okafor-CV.pdf”.
3. Show results, not duties
“Served customers” says little. “Served about 40 customers a day at my aunt’s provisions shop and kept the daily sales book” shows reliability and numbers. Only write figures you can explain in an interview.
4. Be honest
Never invent a qualification or employer. Recruiters check, and a lie found later can cost you the job.
5. Check spelling twice
Ask someone to read it. Small mistakes suggest carelessness, which matters in jobs like customer service and sales.
A cover message that gets read
When you apply by email, keep the message short:
Good morning,
I am applying for the Customer Service Agent role advertised on Jobberman. I hold an SSCE, speak English and Hausa fluently and have served customers in a busy shop for two years. My CV is attached. I am available for an interview at your convenience.
Thank you,
Ibrahim Musa, 080X XXX XXXX
Where to send it
Apply through established job boards or the employer’s own website. Applying is always free. If anyone asks you to pay to “review” or “submit” your CV for a job, read our guide to fake job offers.
Not sure which job to aim for? Compare four entry-level jobs in Nigeria with pay from real job ads.