When applying for jobs in Nigeria, your CV is your first impression – your ticket to getting noticed by hiring managers. A well-crafted CV can open doors to interviews and job offers.
In this post, I’ll explain how to write a CV that stands out to Nigerian employers, covering everything from formatting basics to key sections you shouldn’t miss, plus some FAQs at the end to clarify common concerns.
Why Your CV is So Important
Your CV is more than just a document. It’s your pitch to potential employers, giving them a quick snapshot of who you are, your skills, experiences, and what you bring to the table. With so many applicants for every job, your CV needs to be attention-grabbing yet professional.
Essential Sections of a Nigerian CV
Here’s a simple breakdown of the main sections every Nigerian CV should have:
- Personal Information
- Professional Summary
- Work Experience
- Education and Qualifications
- Skills
- Certifications and Training (if applicable)
- Referees
Let’s go through these one by one.
1. Personal Information
This section is straightforward but must be done right. Include:
- Full Name: First name, then surname.
- Contact Details: Include a valid phone number and email.
- Location: Mention your current city or town, not your home address.
- LinkedIn Profile (Optional): This can add credibility if you’ve got an updated LinkedIn profile.
Example:
- Name: Oluwaseun Adewale
- Phone: +234 703 000 0000
- Email: seunadewale@gmail.com
- Location: Lagos, Nigeria
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oluwaseun-adewale
2. Professional Summary
Think of this as a snapshot of your career and what you have to offer. Write 2-3 sentences summarising your skills, achievements, and job objectives. Tailor this section to the job you’re applying for, focusing on what makes you suitable for that specific role.
Example:
- “Results-driven marketing professional with over 4 years of experience in digital campaigns, customer engagement, and brand strategy. Proven track record of boosting brand visibility by 30% within a year. Passionate about innovative marketing solutions and seeking to contribute to an agile team in a dynamic organization.”
3. Work Experience
Employers are most interested in your job history. List your past job roles chronologically, starting with the most recent. For each job, include:
- Job Title
- Company Name
- Location
- Dates of Employment (Month & Year)
- Job Responsibilities & Achievements
When describing your duties, focus on specific achievements rather than vague descriptions. Quantify results if possible (e.g., “Increased sales by 15% over six months”).
Example:
- Digital Marketing Specialist
XYZ Technologies, Lagos
January 2021 – September 2023- She led a team of five in executing social media campaigns that increased engagement by 40%.
- It has developed SEO strategies that drove a 20% increase in organic traffic within six months.
- Conducted market analysis that helped guide product development, boosting customer satisfaction by 25%.
4. Education and Qualifications
List your educational background in reverse chronological order. Include:
- Degree or Qualification
- Institution Name
- Location
- Dates Attended
If you’re a recent graduate, this section might appear higher on your CV. For seasoned professionals, the Work Experience section should come first.
Example:
- B.Sc. in Computer Science
University of Lagos, Lagos
2015 – 2019
5. Skills
Your skills section should highlight what you bring to the job. Be honest, and ensure these skills are relevant to the role. Examples include:
- Communication
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Team collaboration tools (Slack, Asana)
If applying for a technical role, focus on job-specific skills like software proficiencies, programming languages, or technical competencies.
6. Certifications and Training (Optional)
Certifications show that you’ve invested time in learning specific skills. List them here if relevant to the job. Mention the institution or certifying body and the year you received each certification.
Example:
- Google Digital Marketing Certification, Google, 2022
- Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI, 2020
7. Referees
Referees are individuals who can vouch for your character and work ethic. For Nigerian CVs, include at least two referees. List their:
- Full Name
- Position/Relationship to You
- Company/Organization
- Contact Information (Phone & Email)
Be sure to inform your referees before listing them so they’re prepared if they are contacted.
Example:
- Mr. David Ayodele
Project Manager, XYZ Ltd.
Phone: +234 803 000 0000
Email: david.ayodele@xyz.com
Editors pick
Additional Tips for Writing a Winning Nigerian CV
Here’s a bit more on how to take your CV from good to outstanding:
1. Keep It Short and Straight to the Point
- Why: Recruiters often have to scan through hundreds of CVs, so making yours easy to read is essential. Aim for one to two pages max – anything longer risks losing the reader’s attention.
- How: Focus on your key experiences and achievements. Cut out anything that doesn’t directly show your suitability for the role.
2. Use Action Verbs and Quantify Achievements
- Why: Action verbs and numbers help demonstrate your impact in previous roles. They give specific proof of your abilities, which makes your experience more convincing.
- How: Instead of writing “Responsible for managing projects,” say, “Led a team of 5 to complete projects, reducing delivery time by 20%.” Quantifying your achievements with numbers, percentages, or metrics gives your work real weight.
3. Highlight Relevant Skills Over General Skills
- Why: Some skills are universal, but employers want skills that align with the job requirements. Tailoring your skills to match the job description makes your CV appear more customised and relevant.
- How: Look at the job ad and see which skills are emphasised. Prioritise those in your skills section, but ensure you only include genuinely confident skills.
4. Format Properly for Readability
- Why: A well-organized CV is much easier to scan, which helps hiring managers find key information quickly. Clean formatting can make a big difference in how your CV is perceived.
- How: Stick with simple, professional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman in sizes 10-12. Use headers, bullet points, and consistent spacing. Avoid overly creative or colourful designs unless you’re in a creative field where this would be acceptable.
5. Avoid Jargon and Abbreviations
- Why: Too much jargon can be confusing, especially if someone reviewing your CV doesn’t share your technical expertise.
- How: Use clear, common terms wherever possible. If industry-specific terms are necessary, ensure they’re understood by someone who may not be familiar with your specific role.
6. Proofread Carefully and Avoid Typos
- Why: Typos, grammatical errors, and incorrect information make a bad first impression and can show a lack of attention to detail.
- How: After writing, take a break, then come back and review it with fresh eyes. Consider reading it out loud or having a friend review it. You can also use online grammar-checking tools to catch errors.
7. Tailor Your CV to Each Job Application
- Why: Each job has unique requirements, and a “one-size-fits-all” CV might not highlight the most relevant aspects of your experience for a specific role.
- How: Update your professional summary, skills, and work experience sections with keywords and skills specific to each job you’re applying for. Ensure you emphasise the experiences and skills that match the job description.
8. Consider Adding an Achievements Section
- Why: An achievements section allows you to highlight your most impressive accomplishments in a way that catches the recruiter’s eye immediately.
- How: List 2-3 key accomplishments that align with the role’s requirements. These might be awards, recognitions, or high-impact achievements showing your expertise and dedication.
9. Update Your CV Regularly
- Why: Keeping your CV up-to-date means it’s ready to go whenever an opportunity arises. A CV that reflects your latest experience, skills, and achievements is more impactful and accurate.
- How: Every few months, review your CV and add any new skills, certifications, or work experiences. This also makes the job application process easier since you won’t have to rush to update everything at once.
10. Include Keywords Relevant to Your Industry
- Why: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen CVs, and these systems look for certain keywords.
- How: Review the job description for words and phrases frequently used and ensure they’re present in your CV naturally. This could be technical skills, job titles, or specific terms related to your field.
11. Highlight Soft Skills, Especially in Team-Oriented Roles
- Why: Many Nigerian employers value interpersonal skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability, especially in roles that require collaboration.
- How: Mention soft skills in your professional summary or work experience sections. For example, you might say, “Collaborated effectively with cross-functional teams to meet project goals on time.”
Applying these tips will create a professional, focused, and high-quality CV that will set you apart from other applicants in Nigeria’s competitive job market.
Here’s a simple yet effective Nigerian CV sample. It includes all the standard sections and is formatted for easy reading.
Oluwaseun Adewale
Lagos, Nigeria
+234 703 000 0000
seunadewale@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/oluwaseun-adewale
Professional Summary
We have experienced digital marketing specialists with over four years of experience developing and executing digital marketing strategies for brands across various industries. Proven ability to increase brand visibility and drive engagement through social media and SEO strategies. We are looking to bring expertise in digital campaigns to a dynamic organisation.
Work Experience
Digital Marketing Specialist
XYZ Technologies, Lagos
January 2021 – September 2023
- She led a team of five in executing social media campaigns, increasing engagement by 40%.
- It has developed SEO strategies that boosted organic traffic by 20% in six months.
- She conducted market analysis, guiding product development and enhancing customer satisfaction by 25%.
Marketing Associate
ABC Solutions, Abuja
March 2019 – December 2020
- Assisted in planning and implementing promotional events, resulting in a 15% increase in brand awareness.
- She collaborated with content creators to produce marketing materials for social media, growing her follower base by 10%.
- It monitored digital ad performance, providing insights that optimised ad spend by 12%.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
University of Lagos, Lagos
2015 – 2019
Skills
- Digital Marketing Strategy
- Social Media Management
- SEO and SEM
- Content Creation
- Data Analysis
- Project Management
Certifications
- Google Digital Marketing Certification, Google, 2022
- Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI, 2020
Referees
Mr. David Ayodele
Project Manager, XYZ Technologies
Phone: +234 803 000 0000
Email: david.ayodele@xyz.com
Mrs. Amaka Obi
Lecturer, University of Lagos
Phone: +234 806 555 0000
Email: amaka.obi@unilag.edu.ng
This CV sample is straightforward and includes the most relevant information. It uses bullet points to highlight accomplishments, making it easier for hiring managers to scan.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What’s the difference between a CV and a resume?
A: In Nigeria, CVs and resumes are used interchangeably, but generally, a CV is longer and more detailed. A shorter resume, usually one page, focuses on the most relevant information.
Q2: Should I include a photo on my CV?
A: In Nigeria, including a photo is uncommon and usually unnecessary. Most employers are more interested in your skills and experience.
Q3: How many referees should I include?
A: Two referees are usually enough. Choose individuals who know your work ethic well, like previous employers, lecturers, or mentors.
Q4: Can I use creative templates for my CV?
A: Stick to simple, clean designs. Some job applications specify this. Using too many colours or designs can make your CV look unprofessional.
Q5: Do I need to include every job I’ve ever had?
A: No. Include only relevant roles, especially those from the last 10 years. If you have short-term or irrelevant jobs, leaving them out is okay.
Q6: Should I list hobbies and interests?
A: Only if they’re relevant to the role. For example, if you’re applying for a role in social work, an interest in community service or volunteering could strengthen your profile.
Final Thoughts
Writing a winning CV for Nigerian jobs doesn’t have to be difficult. Following these steps, you can create a document representing your best self.
Keep it clean, straightforward, and professional – and remember to tailor it to each job you apply for. With the right approach, you’ll stand out from the crowd and make a strong impression on hiring managers.
Good luck in your job search!