Recruiters in South Africa screen hundreds of CVs weekly. How you present contact details, referees and personal data can determine whether you get an interview — or get filtered out. This guide explains recruiter expectations, POPIA privacy considerations, practical formats, and recruiter-friendly examples so your CV passes both human review and ATS checks.
Quick summary (what recruiters want)
- Clear, professional contact details: phone, email, city (+ optional LinkedIn).
- Referees ready but not always listed: common practice is “References available on request” unless the role asks for referees up front.
- Privacy-aware approach: don’t share sensitive personal data (ID numbers, race, marital status) and get consent before listing referees — POPIA compliance matters.
What to include in Contact Details (and what to avoid)
Must-have contact fields
- Full name (as on official documents)
- Professional email address (first.last@…)
- Mobile number with country code: e.g. +27 82 555 1234
- Location: city and province (e.g., Cape Town, Western Cape)
- LinkedIn URL (shortened/custom where possible)
Optional / conditional
- Physical address: avoid full street address; city/province is sufficient
- Portfolio or professional website: include for creative or digital roles
Avoid placing on your CV
- Identity numbers, medical information, race, marital status, religious or political affiliations — recruiters don’t need these and POPIA discourages unnecessary processing.
Tip: For international or diaspora roles, always include +27 country code. For local roles you can omit +27 but ensure the number works for recruiters calling from company lines.
Referees: How many, who and how to format them
Recruiter expectations in South Africa
- Many recruiters accept “References available on request” on the CV to protect referee privacy and save space.
- For senior roles, tenders or government positions, recruiters may request full referee details up front.
- Typical number: 2–3 referees (one direct manager, one peer or client, and one academic supervisor for junior candidates).
Who to list
- Direct line manager (most important)
- Functional supervisor or client (if manager not available)
- Academic supervisor or internship mentor (for graduates)
Example referee entry (compact, recruiter-friendly)
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Name | Thabo Mokoena |
| Job Title | Regional Operations Manager |
| Organisation | ABC Logistics (PTY) LTD |
| Relationship | Line manager (2019–2022) |
| Phone | +27 82 444 9988 |
| thabo.m@abclogistics.co.za |
Place referee details on a separate page (Referees — [Your Name]) and only attach or send when requested, unless the job advert explicitly asks for referees.
POPIA (South Africa’s privacy law) — what it means for your CV and referees
The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) requires that personal data be:
- Processed lawfully and fairly
- Adequate, relevant and not excessive
- Retained only as long as necessary
Practical implications:
- Don’t include referee contact details without their consent. Ask and record consent before adding them to your CV.
- If a recruiter asks for referees, you may provide them on request or via a separate document/email.
- If you share sensitive personal information, be ready to explain why it’s necessary.
Sample consent message to send your referee:
Hi [Name], I’m applying for [role] at [company]. May I list you as a referee and share your phone/email if contacted? I’ll let you know the likely timing of a call.
ATS and recruiter screening considerations
- Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) don’t need referees. Don’t use valuable CV real estate for full referee lists—use it for keywords, achievements and qualifications.
- Keep contact details in plain text (no images or headers) so both ATS and recruiters can parse them.
- Link to your LinkedIn profile — many recruiters verify qualifications there. See how to optimise LinkedIn in our LinkedIn Profile Checklist for South Africa: Headlines, Skills and Endorsements That Get Recruiter Attention.
For ATS keyword advice, pair your referee strategy with an ATS-aware CV: ATS & Keyword Strategy for South Africa: Optimise Your CV and Cover Letter to Beat Recruiters’ Filters.
When to include referees on the CV vs “available on request”
| Situation | Recommended approach |
|---|---|
| Job advert explicitly asks for referees | List 2–3 referees with contact details (only if you have consent) |
| Senior leadership roles or regulated sectors | Provide referees up front — recruiters expect verification |
| Most advertised mid/junior roles | Use “References available on request” and provide refs separately |
| Tender/RFP or legal compliance roles | Provide referees or refereeing organisations as required |
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
- Listing referees without consent — ask first and record permission.
- Providing outdated phone numbers or emails — verify contact details within the last 6 months.
- Including sensitive personal data — remove ID numbers, race, or medical info.
- Crowding the top of your CV with referees — use that space for a compelling profile and achievements. See more mistakes to avoid in CV Red Flags in South Africa: Common Mistakes That Lose Interviews and How to Correct Them.
Practical templates and recommended wording
CV header (contact line)
John Nkosi | Cape Town, Western Cape | +27 82 555 1234 | john.nkosi@email.com | linkedin.com/in/johnnkosi
Referees line
References available on request — referees will be supplied with applicant consent.
Or (when requested):
Referees
- Thabo Mokoena — Regional Operations Manager, ABC Logistics — +27 82 444 9988 — thabo.m@abclogistics.co.za
- Prof. L. van der Merwe — Senior Lecturer, UCT (Thesis supervisor) — lvdm@uct.ac.za
Actionable checklist before sending your CV
- Use a professional email and include +27 country code on your phone number.
- Remove sensitive personal data (ID, race, marital status).
- Add LinkedIn URL and ensure your profile matches CV claims (see Step-by-Step Guide to Building a South Africa-Ready LinkedIn Profile for Graduate and Mid-Level Roles).
- Ask and log referee consent; confirm current phone/email.
- Keep referees on a separate document unless required.
- Align CV content with ATS keyword strategy and local role expectations (Action Verbs and Local Entities: Writing a CV for SA Industries (Mining, Finance, Healthcare)).
Final notes
Protect your referees and yourself: be privacy-aware, recruiter-friendly and ATS-smart. When in doubt, use “References available on request,” maintain up-to-date contact details, and get explicit consent before sharing referee information. For examples of CV formats that South African recruiters prefer (and templates), see: Interview Preparation South Africa: CV Format That South African Recruiters Prefer (Templates + Examples). If you must attach referees, match the request to the role and industry, and always prioritise accuracy and consent.
For related help on integrating qualifications and cover letters with your CV, check:
- How to List SAQA & NQF Qualifications on Your CV and LinkedIn for South African Employers
- Cover Letters That Convert in SA: Phrases, Structure and Local Employer Expectations
- One-Page vs Two-Page CV in South Africa: How to Decide and What to Include for Interview Calls
Need a CV review to check referee placement and POPIA compliance? Send your CV header and referee list (if any) and I’ll give concise, recruiter-focused recommendations.