How to write your CV for national service and your first job

Most graduates in Ghana do a year of national service before their first full job. That year counts as real work experience, and it belongs on your CV. Here is how to write a CV when you're just starting out.

Put national service where employers will see it

List your national service like a job: your role, the organisation where you were posted, the town and the dates. Then add two to four points about what you did and achieved. For example: "Taught Integrated Science to 120 JHS students" or "Helped prepare monthly reports for the finance team".

Use your attachments and internships

Industrial attachments and internships show you've worked in a real organisation. Add each one with the organisation, dates and what you learned or did. Even a short attachment is worth listing.

Make your education work harder

✓Your programme, university and year, with your class (for example, Second Class Upper) if it helps you.
✓Your final-year project or thesis, in one line, if it's related to the job.
✓Courses that match the job ad.

Show skills with proof

Instead of writing only "good communication skills", show it: "Led a team of 5 students on a research project" or "Organised a departmental event for 200 people". Leadership roles in clubs, church, SRC or volunteering count.

Keep it to one page

With a short career so far, one well-organised page is better than two thin ones. Match your CV to each job you apply for: the same CV sent everywhere gets fewer replies.