In today’s job market, a paper CV alone isn’t enough. Recruiters and HR managers are going digital — and if your CV isn’t ready for email, WhatsApp, or online applications, you could be left behind.
In this episode, we’re showing you how to create a clean, professional digital CV that works on phones, laptops, and even for social media.
1. What is a Digital CV?
A digital CV is just your normal CV in PDF format — designed to look neat, read easily on screens, and be shared via email or job portals. It should be:
- One to two pages
- Saved as a PDF, not Word or images
- Easy to open on WhatsApp, Gmail, or recruitment sites
2. Free Tools to Create One
No laptop? No problem. Use your phone.
📱 Canva (Mobile or Web App)
- Free templates for CVs
- Drag-and-drop layout
- Save directly as PDF
👉 Go to: www.canva.com
📱 Microsoft Word Mobile App
- Free to use
- Clean templates
- Save to phone or Google Drive
📱 Zety or Resume.com (Online CV builders)
- Step-by-step guide
- Choose a template, fill in details, download as PDF
- Make sure to remove watermarks or choose free options
3. What to Include in a Digital CV
Here’s the ideal layout:
🧑🏾 Your Details
- Full name
- Phone number & email
- Province & city
🎯 Career Summary (3–4 lines)
“I’m a hardworking, unemployed youth passionate about customer service and communication. I am eager to grow in retail, admin, or call centre roles.”
🎓 Education
- Matric or highest grade passed
- School name & year
💼 Work Experience / Volunteering / Side Hustles
- Job title or task
- Where you worked
- Dates
- 2–3 key responsibilities
🛠️ Skills
- Microsoft Word, Typing, Teamwork, Canva, Social Media
🏅 Certificates or Short Courses
- Google Digital Skills – 2024
- Customer Service (Alison) – 2025
📃 References
- Name, role, phone/email (ask permission first)
4. Extra Tips to Stand Out
- Use clean fonts like Arial or Calibri
- Keep formatting simple — no emojis or colours unless it’s a design CV
- Rename your file like: CV_Lerato_Mokoena_2025.pdf
- Send it with a short message when applying
Final Word
Your digital CV is your first impression. Keep it sharp, updated, and ready to send. You never know when opportunity will knock — be prepared to answer.
