Your CV is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. In Ghana’s competitive job market, where hundreds of applications can flood in for a single vacancy, your CV must stand out to land you an interview. Unfortunately, many qualified candidates are overlooked simply because their CVs are poorly structured or fail to highlight the right information.
This article provides practical, Ghana-specific tips on writing a CV that will get you noticed and ultimately, hired.
1. Keep It Professional and Concise
A CV should be easy to read and no longer than 2–3 pages. Employers and recruiters in Ghana don’t have time to read lengthy documents.
Tips:
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Use a clear font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, size 11–12).
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Avoid graphics or heavy colors unless you’re in a creative industry.
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Keep formatting consistent — headings, bullet points, and spacing.
2. Start With a Strong Profile Summary
The top of your CV should feature a short summary (3–5 sentences) that highlights your career achievements, skills, and what you bring to the table.
Example:
“Results-driven Sales Executive with 7+ years’ experience in the FMCG industry. Skilled in client relationship management, achieving sales targets, and building strong distribution networks. Looking to contribute to a dynamic team with proven results in driving revenue growth.”
3. Highlight Achievements, Not Just Duties
One of the most common mistakes Ghanaian job seekers make is listing job duties rather than achievements. Employers want to see results.
Instead of writing:
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“Responsible for managing sales team.”
Write:
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“Led a sales team of 10, achieving a 25% increase in quarterly revenue.”
Use action words like led, increased, developed, implemented, improved.
4. Tailor Your CV to Each Role
A generic CV won’t get you far. Adjust your CV to match the job description.
Tips:
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Use keywords from the vacancy posting (e.g., “customer service,” “data analysis,” “health care assistance”).
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Reorganize your skills and experience so the most relevant ones appear first.
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Remove irrelevant details that don’t apply to the role.
5. Education and Certifications Matter
Employers in Ghana value formal education, but they also increasingly look for professional certifications.
Examples:
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IT: Cisco, Microsoft, Google certifications
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Finance: ACCA, ICAG
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Health care: Nursing Council of Ghana, Care Aide registry
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Marketing: CIM, Google Digital Garage
List your highest level of education first, followed by relevant certifications.
6. Don’t Ignore Digital Skills
Digital literacy is no longer optional. Even outside the tech industry, employers want candidates who are comfortable with digital tools.
Examples to include:
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Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
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Familiarity with collaboration tools (Zoom, Teams, Slack)
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Knowledge of industry software (QuickBooks, AutoCAD, SPSS, etc.)
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Social media marketing (if relevant to role)
7. Common CV Mistakes to Avoid in Ghana
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Typos and grammar errors (shows lack of attention to detail)
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Including unnecessary personal details (religion, marital status, photos) unless specifically requested
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Using outdated formats (e.g., starting with “Curriculum Vitae” as a title)
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Listing references directly on the CV — instead, write “References available upon request.”
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Lying about qualifications or experience — many employers now verify documents.
8. Bonus: The Cover Letter Still Matters
Your CV gets you in the door, but a cover letter can make the difference between being shortlisted or ignored. Always pair your CV with a targeted cover letter explaining why you’re the best fit for the role.
Sample CV Layout (for Ghanaian Job Seekers)
Name | Phone | Email | LinkedIn
Profile Summary
(3–5 sentences highlighting career strengths)
Key Skills
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Sales & Business Development
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Client Relationship Management
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Data Analysis (Excel, Power BI)
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Strong Communication
Work Experience
Sales Executive – XYZ Company, Accra
(Jan 2021 – Present)
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Increased market share by 20% in assigned territory
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Trained 5 new sales staff on product knowledge and selling strategies
Sales Officer – ABC Ltd, Kumasi
(May 2017 – Dec 2020)
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Achieved 90% of quarterly sales targets consistently
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Expanded client base by onboarding 30+ new distributors
Education
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BSc in Marketing, University of Ghana (2016)
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Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) – Level 3 Certificate (2021)
Certifications
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Google Digital Marketing Certificate (2023)
References
Available upon request
Rounding Things Up
In Ghana’s job market, your CV is not just a document – it is your marketing tool. A well-crafted CV shows employers that you are serious, professional, and the right fit for the job. By keeping it concise, focusing on achievements, and tailoring it to the role, you will increase your chances of being noticed and invited for an interview.
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