How to write a CV for jobs in Eswatini

The Eswatini CV at a glance

• A CV of about two pages is the norm.
• A brief profile first, written for the kind of role you want.
• Experience, attachments and volunteering in reverse-chronological order.
• Education with your qualification and institution; early in your career, your EGCSE (formerly SGCSE) or IGCSE results too.
• Languages, such as siSwati and English, with your level.
• Contact details at the top: name, phone, email, town and, if you have one, LinkedIn.

Public service applications

Public service posts often use their own application forms and ask for certified copies of your certificates and ID. Follow the advert’s instructions exactly; incomplete applications are often rejected.

Referees and what to leave out

• Most employers expect two or three referees. Give their title, organisation and contact details, and let them know they may be called.
• Leave your personal ID number off your CV; give it on official forms when asked.
• Skip a photo, date of birth, marital status and religion unless they’re requested.

Tailor it to each job

• Check public service vacancies and their application forms, and search LinkedIn and companies’ careers pages.
• Use the advert’s key terms where they honestly describe you.
• Put volunteering and attachments forward if you’re early in your career.
• Put the role most like this one at the top.

Cover letter

Most adverts ask for an application letter. Address it as instructed, keep it to one page, and list the certified documents you’re attaching.

Common mistakes

• Missing documents or forms that the advert asks for.
• One generic CV for every application.
• Leaving out volunteering and attachments when you have little paid experience.
• Applying after the closing date.

Sample CV

A fictional example in the local format. Use it as a pattern, not a script.

Why it works

• Volunteering counts as experience, with what changed.
• EGCSE results and languages included, as it’s early in the career.
• No ID number, photo, date of birth or religion.
• Referees who know they may be called.

Example: turning a duty into a result

Youth programme volunteer

Volunteering counts as experience when it shows what you did and what changed.

By career stage

Graduate or first job

Lead with volunteering, attachments and your qualification, then EGCSE results. About two pages.

Changing careers

Use the profile to name the new field, and list short courses and certificates for it near the top.

Experienced

About two pages, results first. Drop EGCSE results once you have a qualification and experience.

CV keywords for ATS

Applicant tracking systems and recruiters search for the skills a posting names. Examples for common roles; use only the ones that are true for you, in the posting’s own words.

IT support officer

help desk, Windows, Microsoft 365, networking, troubleshooting, user training

Accounts clerk

bookkeeping, reconciliations, Pastel, ERS tax returns, filing

Community development officer

community mobilisation, programme reporting, training, siSwati and English

Questions