Your CV is the first impression you make on a Nigerian employer. In a competitive market where hiring managers review hundreds of applications, a well-structured CV can be the difference between landing an interview and being passed over.
1. Keep It to Two Pages Maximum
Nigerian employers — especially multinationals, NGOs and banks — prefer concise CVs of one to two pages. Anything longer signals poor editing skills. Prioritise your most recent and relevant experience.
2. Start With a Strong Professional Summary
Open with a three to four sentence summary that captures your title, years of experience, key skills and what you bring to the role. Avoid generic phrases like “hardworking team player” — be specific. Example: “Results-driven software engineer with 5 years of experience building fintech APIs in Lagos. Proficient in Python, Node.js and AWS. Delivered a payments platform processing NGN 2 billion monthly at PiggyVest.”
3. List Experience in Reverse Chronological Order
Start with your most recent role. For each position include your job title, employer name, location, dates (month and year), and three to five bullet points of achievements — not just duties. Use action verbs: led, built, increased, reduced, managed.
4. Tailor Your CV for Every Application
Mirror the language in the job description. If the posting says “stakeholder management”, use that exact phrase. Nigerian applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by Unilever, GTBank, MTN and large NGOs scan for keyword matches.
5. Education Section for Nigerian Employers
Include your degree class — Nigerian employers pay close attention to this. A 2:1 or First Class from a recognised university is a significant advantage. Add your NYSC discharge certificate status if applicable.
6. Skills Section That Gets Past ATS
Create a clean skills section listing hard skills relevant to your field: programming languages, accounting software (SAP, QuickBooks), certifications (ACCA, PMP, AWS), and language proficiencies.
7. References Available on Request
Do not include referee details on your CV — simply write “References available on request.” This keeps your document concise and protects your referees’ contact information.
Common Mistakes Nigerian Job Seekers Make
- Including a passport photograph (only do this if specifically requested)
- Listing your date of birth, religion or tribe (not required by law and can invite bias)
- Using the same CV for every application
- Typos and grammatical errors — proofread three times
- Using a personal email address that sounds unprofessional
Ready to build your CV? Use our free Nigerian CV builder to create a professional CV in minutes — no design skills needed.
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