CV Builder Checklist

Checks a CV against what South African recruiters and hiring managers look for, and also helps with interview preparation and spotting job scams.

What you will need

What kind of job are you applying for? (text): For example general worker, artisan, admin, retail, driver, nurse, graduate, manager.
Your experience level: This changes what goes first on your CV.
Tick what your CV already has (yes/no per item): Items: 1) Name, phone number and a professional email at the top. 2) Two to three line profile matched to the job. 3) Work experience with most recent first, including dates. 4) Achievements with numbers where possible, not only duties. 5) Qualifications with institution and year (matric, certificates, degrees, trade tests). 6) Relevant licences and tickets (for example driver's licence code, PrDP, first aid, forklift, security grade) that are current. 7) Skills that match the advert's wording. 8) Two or three references with permission. 9) Two pages or less (three for very senior roles). 10) Clear font, no spelling errors, saved as PDF. 11) No ID number, photo, age, marital status or religion unless the advert asks. 12) Gaps explained briefly and honestly. 13) Tailored for this specific job. 14) File name like Name-Surname-CV.pdf.

How it works

score = number of items ticked out of 14. IF experience_level == first job THEN move education, volunteering, learnerships and school leadership above work experience and mark item 4 as 'achievements from school, church, sport or community count'. IF experience_level == changing careers THEN recommend a skills-based section first. For each unticked item show a one-line fix. Always show the scam checklist: a real employer does not ask you to pay for a job, training, uniform or medical before you are hired; be careful with WhatsApp-only recruiters; never send bank card details or your PIN; check the company exists. Remind the member that qualifications can be verified through SAQA (saqa.org.za) and should never be exaggerated.

What you get

CV checklist score
Your top fixes, in order
Job-scam warning signs

What it means

Your CV covers the basics well, so tailoring it for each job is now the biggest win.
Your CV has a good base, and the fixes listed will make it easier to read quickly.
A few simple changes will make a big difference to how your CV is read.

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Book a session with a career coach, or read Preparing a CV That Gets Read.

Runs on the device. Nothing is saved unless the member chooses.