How To Write A Professional CV in Nigeria in 2024 (New Format)

As a fresh graduate, you are expected to have learnt how to write speeches, essays, articles, journals, resume’s or curriculum vitae but unfortunately, most secondary schools do not teach their students most of these things and if they do, its been rushed without the students assimilating the basics.

These students in turn enter the university without prior knowledge of writing, making it difficult for most graduates especially in Nigeria to write an ordinary article talk more of a curriculum vitae. This article was written to address the problem of preparing a simple but professional curriculum vitae or resume.

A Curriculum Vitae CV is an official document that outlines a person’s educational, professional and personal history which is usually prepared for Job applications. It gives a detailed understanding to your employers on who you are or better still, it markets your potentials, abilities, qualifications and skills. It is also called a Résumé. It is different from an application letter.

An application on the other hand is a formal letter that tells your interested recruiter that you have the qualities that they need as stipulated in where you found their requirement. While an application letter cannot be used to make multiple applications, a CV can be used to make multiple applications that is why it is requested more often than application letters.

It should be noted that employers prefer reading CVs at leisure time or outside working hours as the case maybe. So, lets say an employer has about 500 CVs piled up at his desk and he needs about 20 candidates to call for the interview. Do you think he would have time for a CV that is ambiguous, badly written with irrelevant and wrong information? He would just dump those and move on to the others.

Let me sound this as an important notice. There is no best way in preparing or constructing a CV. Everyone has a format or boasts of a particular format but all still contains the relevant information needed. The main thing here is to present a simple, non ambiguous but professional CV.

Writing a CV is easy. Only if you learn the right format to write it. In Nigeria, not knowing how to write a CV (Curriculum Vitae) or Resume have made it really hard and because of “just” CV, a lot of people have missed their dream job.

Not because they are not qualified but because their CV did not present them well. If you are interested in learning how to write a good CV, this article will help you out.

First of all, you should know that there’s no one format way of writing a CV.

Secondly, have it at the tip of your fingers that you need to write a resume tailored to the job you are applying. Avoid writing generic CV if you can’t… Employers are tired of reading them.

While there’s no specific CV format and you can be creative in your own way, there are some basic things you need to include in your CV and these are discussed below.

So with that said, let’s move to how to prepare a CV

HOW TO WRITE A PROFESSIONAL CV IN NIGERIA 2023 (NEW FORMAT)

STEP 1: PERSONAL INFORMATION

This is important and should be placed in strategic position where they can be noticed easily by employers. They should be in a legible font.

Your personal information includes your name, home address and contact information which is your mobile number and email address. In some cases, you might decide to put your age if you are sure it won’t be used against you. An example is given below:

TOLU, ADEBAYO VINCENT

100, Jigawa Street Casimo Town, Jigawa State.

Email: toluadebayo@gmail.com

Phone: 09046456785, 07077777097

PERSONAL DATA

Gender:                                   Male

Marital status                           Single

Date of Birth                            4^th December, 1900

State of Origin:                        Jigawa

Local Government Area:            Lapai

Nationality:                              Togolese

STEP 2: EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Also included in your CV is your education and qualification information arranged from the highest down to the lowest. That means for a fresh BSc graduate, your degree qualification is first while your primary education comes last.

You should put your educational qualifications which gives a detailed information about the schools, universities you attended. An example is given below:

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED WITH DATES

2014-2015: University of Yales, lome, Jigawa State.

B.Sc.Biophysics (second class honours, upper division)

2003-2008: Pretty International College, Cole street, Lai-mohammed, Togo.

Senior Secondary School Certificate

1993-2001: Nigeria Staff Primary School, Gwanam, Abuja.

First Leaving School Certificate

STEP 3: WORK EXPERIENCE

The third part is your work experience which most employers require and inquire to know whether you have any experience. Be brief but clear in this part of your CV.

For many positions, employers require a minimum working experience and as such, having a work experience increase your chances.

You should state your work experience from the current one to the earlier experiences. Also include how your experience is linked to the position you are applying. An example is given below:

WORK EXPERIENCE

2013-2015: Government Secondary School, Dogara-Dajem LGA, Jigawa State.

Maths Teacher

2010-2012: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Taraba State Command.

Secretary

2012-2013: Marina Hotels, Yadon, Abuja.

Hotel Receptionist

STEP 4: INTEREST AND ABILITIES

The next part to write should be your Skills and Strength. I have found out that most people are not honest in this category. This is where you sell yourself, so you are expected to list what you know how to do best. Things like having good communication skills, being a good team player, being a computer literate e.t.c applies here.

This information is also required. However, make it short and interesting, avoid clichés. Specifically state your interest and hobby.

Instead of saying jogging, you can say you jog a hundred kilometers a day. State leadership positions you have held and volunteer works you have done if any. An example is given below:

SKILLS & STRENGTH

• Proficient in Microsoft application packages.
• Good communication and time management skills.
• Proven leadership and management skills.
• A good team player.
• Ability to learn fast and manage information.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

STEP 5: HOBBIES & REFERENCES

You need to provide at least two references. One from your academic life (a lecturer or your project supervisor) and the other can be your former employer.

The last phase should be your hobbies and referees. Please note that your hobbies should not be more than four and your referees should not be more than three persons who should know about you.

Also provide their numbers as your employers might want to inquire about who you really are from them and whether the information you put about yourself is true. An example is given below:

HOBBIES

Reading, Making research, Meeting people, Swimming

REFEREES

Mrs. Bolanle, Joke

Director,

Pretty International College,

Comma, Full-Stop, Togo,

Africa.

Tel: +234(809)00099907

Mr. Chudi Wizkid

Head, Civil and Research Institute,

Power Bank Plc,

BBC Road, Zombie Estate,

Lekki, Lagos,

Nigeria.

Tel: +234(086)09994404

Dr. Flavour Davido

Surgeon,

Womin Hospitals Plc,

Idioriki Way, P.O.Box 419,

Britain.

Tel: +234(086)09994404

HOW TO CONSTRUCT A CURRICULUM VITAE OR RESUME

As you can see from the above, writing and preparing a CV is very easy using the above format. When we now put all the information together and this is what you will get.

TOLU, ADEBAYO VINCENT

100, Jigawa Street Casimo Town, Jigawa State.

Email: toluadebayo@gmail.com

Phone: 09046456785, 07077777097

PERSONAL DATA

Gender:                                  Male

Marital status:                        Single

Date of Birth:                          4^th December, 1900

State of Origin:                       Jigawa

Local Government Area:        Lapai

Nationality:                             Togolese

 

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ATTENDED WITH DATES

2014-2015: University of Yales, lome, Jigawa State.

B.Sc.Biophysics (second class honours, upper division)

2003-2008: Pretty International College, Cole street, Lai-mohammed, Togo.

Senior Secondary School Certificate

1993-2001: Nigeria Staff Primary School, Gwanam, Abuja.

First Leaving School Certificate

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

2013-2015: Government Secondary School, Dogara-Dajem LGA, Jigawa State.

Maths Teacher

2010-2012: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Taraba State Command.

Secretary

2012-2013: Marina Hotels, Yadon, Abuja.

Hotel Receptionist

 

SKILLS & STRENGTH

• Proficient in Microsoft application packages.
• Good communication and time management skills.
• Proven leadership and management skills.
• A good team player.
• Ability to learn fast and manage information.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision

 

HOBBIES

Reading, Making research, Meeting people, Swimming

 

REFEREES

Mrs. Bolanle, Joke

Director,

Pretty International College,

Comma, Full-Stop, Togo,

Africa.

Tel: +234(809)00099907

 

Mr. Chudi Wizkid

Head, Civil and Research Institute,

Power Bank Plc,

BBC Road, Zombie Estate,

Lekki, Lagos,

Nigeria.

Tel: +234(086)09994404

 

Dr. Flavour Davido

Surgeon,

Womin Hospitals Plc,

Idioriki Way, P.O.Box 419,

Britain.

Tel: +234(086)09994404

CONCLUSION

Let me state this clearly. This is not part of the CV writing! It is just a tip. Your CV format should be short. Long essays bores everyone and in this case, employers hate it a lot and wouldn’t have the time to go through it.

Please also note that it is better to submit your CV in .pdf format or .DOCX, if required to submit a soft copy. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to comment below and don’t forget to share what you have just learned.