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Guide

How to improve a CV or document that is not working

Why most CVs in Kenya fail to get interviews, the five most common problems, and how to fix them — then use our free tool to rewrite and restructure any document.

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If you are applying for jobs and not getting interviews, the most likely explanation is not your qualifications — it is your CV. A good candidate with a poor CV loses to an average candidate with a well-structured one, consistently and unfairly.

The five most common problems with Kenyan CVs: formatting that breaks on an ATS (tables, columns, text boxes, headers and footers with key information), a generic objective statement that adds no information ("I am a hardworking team player seeking a challenging position"), bullet points that describe duties rather than outcomes ("responsible for financial reports" instead of "produced monthly management accounts for a KES 2bn business unit"), including date of birth and passport number unnecessarily, and sending a generic document without tailoring the language to each specific role.

A makeover is different from rewriting. A rewrite starts from scratch — that means rebuilding it from scratch with a clean structure. A makeover takes an existing document and fixes what is broken while keeping what works. The process: identify the structural problems first (format, flow, length), then the content problems (weak verbs, missing numbers, generic language), then polish (consistency of tense, spacing, punctuation). Once the document is clean, you will also want to think about how to prepare for the interview once your CV gets through.

The goal of a CV makeover is not to make the document look different. It is to make the same genuine career story land harder and faster in the 30 seconds a recruiter will give it. Strong verbs ("built", "reduced", "closed", "negotiated") are more persuasive than weak ones ("was involved in", "assisted with"). Numbers anchor vague claims in reality. White space makes the page scannable.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my CV needs a makeover?

If you are sending applications and not getting interview calls within 2–3 weeks, something is wrong with your application materials. The CV is the most likely culprit. Send it to someone who hires people in your target field and ask for honest feedback, not reassurance.

What are the biggest CV mistakes in Kenya?

Including a photo (usually unnecessary), listing date of birth and marital status (irrelevant and introduces bias), using a multi-column layout that breaks on ATS, writing duty descriptions instead of achievement statements, and sending a generic document without tailoring it to the specific role.

Should I completely rewrite my CV or just improve it?

Improve first, rewrite only if the structure is fundamentally broken. Most CVs need targeted fixes — a stronger summary, better bullet points, adjusted formatting — not a complete rewrite. A complete rewrite is warranted if the career story is genuinely unclear or the format is unfixable.

How long does a CV makeover take?

Doing it yourself thoroughly takes 2–4 hours. An AI-assisted makeover can produce a solid first draft in under 5 minutes, which you then review and adjust. The review is important — AI will improve language and structure but you need to verify that every claim is accurate and that the result sounds like you.

What is the difference between a CV and a resume in Kenya?

In Kenyan professional practice, "CV" and "resume" are used interchangeably to mean the same document — your professional history on one or two pages. In some international contexts (academic, medical), a CV is a longer, comprehensive document listing all publications, grants, and appointments, while a resume is a shorter targeted document. For most Kenyan job applications, one or two pages is correct regardless of what you call it.

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