By Career Guidance South Africa — updated January 18, 2026
Finding the right template saves time, ensures your application looks professional, and — when done correctly — helps you pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This guide provides ready-to-use CV and cover letter templates tailored for South African jobseekers, plus practical instructions to personalise, format and download them for Word, Google Docs or PDF export.
Why use a South Africa–focused template?
- Local conventions matter: recruiters in South Africa expect certain sections (location, languages, key skills) and phrasing.
- ATS-friendly structure: most employers use ATS filters — an ATS-friendly template improves keyword matching and parsing. See our deep-dive: Career Guidance South Africa: The Ultimate ATS-Friendly CV Template and Guide.
- Faster tailoring: templates make it quick to adapt CVs and cover letters for specific roles and provinces (e.g., Johannesburg or Cape Town). For city-focused tips see How to Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter for Johannesburg Employers — Career Guidance South Africa and Cape Town Job Search Guide: Local CV, Application and Interview Strategies.
Which templates to download (and when to use them)
| Template | Best for | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| ATS-Friendly CV (Simple) | Most corporate roles, large employers | Plain fonts, clear headings, keyword-ready sections. See also: How to Get Past ATS Filters in South Africa: Keywords, Formats and Examples. |
| Graduate / Entry-Level CV | New grads, internships | One page, academic achievements, student projects, short profile. |
| Professional / Experienced CV | Mid-senior professionals | Two–three pages, achievements with metrics, skills matrix. |
| Creative CV (Portfolio) | Design, marketing, media | Clean visuals, portfolio links — export also as PDF. |
| Trades & Technical CV | Electricians, plumbers, technicians | Qualifications, trade certificates, registrations (SACPCMP or relevant), licences. |
| Academic CV | Researchers, lecturers | Publications, conferences, research grants. |
| Cover Letter Template | All roles | One-page, tailored to job spec, includes call-to-action. |
For a comparison of job sources to pair with your new documents, read: Top 10 South African Job Portals Compared — Career Guidance South Africa and the agency vs portal strategy: Job Portal vs Recruitment Agency in South Africa: Which Gets You Hired Faster?.
How to download and use these templates (quick steps)
- Choose your template type above.
- Copy the template text below (or use the downloadable file option on your careers platform).
- Paste into Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice.
- Replace placeholders with your details, then:
- Save as .docx for recruiter edits.
- Export as PDF for final submissions (unless the job advert asks for .doc/.docx).
- Name files clearly: CV-FirstName-LastName-JobTitle.docx and CoverLetter-FirstName-LastName-Company.pdf.
File naming and formatting best practice reduces friction for recruiters and ATS.
South Africa–specific CV and cover letter tips (must-read)
- Do not include a copy of your ID number on your CV. Use location (city, province) and legal work status instead.
- Photo? Only include a photo if the industry expects it (e.g., modelling, acting) or the employer requests one. Photos can introduce bias.
- Language & spelling: Use South African English (e.g., “organise”, “programme”) where possible.
- Salary & references: Only state salary expectations when asked; use “References available on request” or list referees with permission.
- Work permit / visa status: If you’re not a South African citizen, state your visa or permit clarity up front.
- Localise your cover letter: mention the region and business reason to hire you (e.g., projects in Gauteng). For application strategies, see Applying Directly to Employers in South Africa: A Targeted Approach for Career Guidance South Africa.
Want to improve your recruiter visibility? Also update LinkedIn using our checklist: Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for South African Recruiters: A Career Guidance South Africa Checklist.
Ready-to-use templates
Copy these into Word/Google Docs and save.
ATS-Friendly CV — Template (copy & paste)
[Full Name]
[City, Province] • [Phone] • [Email] • LinkedIn: [url] • Portfolio: [url] (optional)
Professional Profile
A concise 2–3 line profile that includes job title, years’ experience, top skills and career focus. Use keywords from the job advert.
Key Skills
- Skill 1 (keyword)
- Skill 2 (keyword)
- Skill 3 (software/tools)
- Language(s): English (fluent), Afrikaans (conversational) — adjust as necessary
Professional Experience
Job Title — Employer, City | Month Year – Present
- Achievement with metric (e.g., "Improved X by 25% through...")
- Responsibility or tool used (e.g., "Managed CRM (Salesforce) and reported weekly")
- Bullet describing measurable outcome
Education
Qualification — Institution, City | Year
Relevant courses or modules (if entry-level)
Certifications & Licences
- Certificate Name — Issuer — Year
Volunteer / Additional Info
- Short item if relevant
Cover Letter — Template (copy & paste)
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
Opening paragraph — state the role you’re applying for, where you saw it and a one-line value proposition (e.g., "I am an experienced HR generalist with 6+ years in fast-paced retail environments, delivering 20% reduction in time-to-hire.").
Second paragraph — match 2–3 core requirements from the job spec with short examples.
Third paragraph — cultural fit, availability, and practical details (willingness to relocate, work permit status).
Closing — request an interview and provide contact details. "Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can add value to [Company]."
Kind regards,
[Full Name]
[Phone] • [Email] • LinkedIn: [url]
Quick ATS and tailoring checklist
- Use plain headings (no tables for main content).
- Save as .docx when applying via portals that expect editable files; use PDF for direct email (unless specified).
- Match at least 6–8 keywords from the job advert exactly (see: How to Get Past ATS Filters in South Africa: Keywords, Formats and Examples).
- Tailor your cover letter opening to the company and role — hiring managers notice this.
- If applying in Johannesburg, reference local projects or company presence — see: How to Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter for Johannesburg Employers — Career Guidance South Africa.
Want help getting interviews — next steps
- Upload your tailored CV to the major portals and track applications: Top 10 South African Job Portals Compared — Career Guidance South Africa.
- Consider a mixed approach: direct applications + agency introductions. Read: Agency Secrets: How to Work with South African Recruitment Firms to Land Interviews and Job Portal vs Recruitment Agency in South Africa: Which Gets You Hired Faster?.
- If you’re targeting Cape Town, adapt wording and examples to the local market: Cape Town Job Search Guide: Local CV, Application and Interview Strategies.
If you’d like, I can:
- Convert one of the templates above into a downloadable .docx for you to save.
- Review and tailor your CV and cover letter for a specific South African job advert (send the job description and your current CV).