How to write a CV for jobs in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian CV at a glance

• Call it a CV and write it in English unless the vacancy asks for Amharic.
• About two pages.
• Open with a short profile, then list your experience newest first.
• Education with your degree, university, year and CGPA.
• Languages with your level, such as Amharic, English and others you speak.
• Contact details at the top: name, phone, email, city and, if you have one, LinkedIn.

Experience letters and documents

Many Ethiopian employers ask for experience letters (work experience certificates) from previous employers and copies of your degree and transcripts. Collect them as you go, and keep copies ready. Attach them only when the vacancy asks.

NGOs and the UN

International organisations often use their own application forms, such as a personal history form, instead of a CV. Fill them in completely; they’re screened against the vacancy’s requirements. Your CV is still the source for every answer.

Referees and what to leave out

• Referees are usually expected: two or three people who know your work, with their title, organisation, phone and email. Check with them first.
• Leave off your ID number until an employer formally asks.
• Leave off a photo, date of birth, marital status and religion unless the vacancy asks.

Tailor it to each job

• Search Ethiojobs and LinkedIn, and the careers pages of NGOs and international organisations.
• State years of experience clearly when the vacancy sets a minimum.
• Match the vacancy’s required qualifications in your wording.
• Order your experience so the most relevant comes first.

Cover letter

Most vacancies ask for an application letter. Address it as the vacancy says, keep it to one page, and list the documents you’re attaching.

Common mistakes

• Not stating years of experience clearly when the vacancy sets a minimum.
• Missing experience letters when applications ask for them.
• Experience letters that don’t show your position and dates.
• Long CVs listing every workshop attended.

Sample CV

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

Why it works

• Years of experience stated clearly, as vacancies often set a minimum.
• Reach and outputs donors use.
• Languages with levels.
• No ID number, photo, date of birth, marital status or religion.

Example: turning a duty into a result

Project assistant, NGO

Reach, location and an output donors use: what NGO recruiters look for.

By career stage

Graduate or first job

Lead with your degree and CGPA, internships and volunteering, each with a result. Collect experience letters from the start.

Changing careers

Use the profile to name the new field, and list training and certificates for it.

Experienced

About two pages. State your total years of experience, lead with the most relevant role, and keep experience letters ready.

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.

Project officer (NGO)

project implementation, monitoring and evaluation, donor reporting, community mobilisation, budgets

Accountant

IFRS, reconciliations, Peachtree, payroll, financial reporting

IT support officer

network administration, Windows Server, troubleshooting, Active Directory, help desk

Questions