Matric CV example for South African school-leavers

Describe your qualification accurately

Use the qualification name shown on your certificate or school documents. If you completed a National Senior Certificate, include the school and completion year. If you are in Grade 12, say that you are currently completing it rather than claiming a qualification you have not yet earned. Include results or subjects when they are relevant to the advertised requirements, and follow the advert’s instructions for supporting documents.

A fictional education section

Use your actual school, year and subjects. Do not add Computer Applications Technology or any other subject merely because it appears in this example. You can leave subject details out when they do not help the application.

A profile that says something useful

Matric school-leaver interested in an entry-level retail role. Gained experience organising supplies and assisting visitors during a school fundraising event. Able to communicate in English and Sesotho and available to learn the store’s customer-service procedures.

This profile is fictional. Keep the structure—current situation, relevant evidence and role interest—but replace every claim with your own facts. Avoid unsupported descriptions such as “expert cashier” if you have never handled a till.

What can go under projects and activities?

School assignments, sports responsibilities, community work and volunteering can show how you organise tasks or work with others. Explain the activity and your part in it. For example, if true: “Prepared a spreadsheet for a class budget exercise and checked totals against the source figures.” Another candidate might describe caring responsibilities or a personal repair project. Include what is relevant, and avoid disclosing private details about other people.

Skills and referees

List practical skills at an honest level. “Basic spreadsheet formatting and totals” is clearer than “advanced Excel” when your experience is limited to school tasks. List languages and proficiency accurately. A teacher, coach or volunteer supervisor may be an appropriate referee if they know you well enough and agree to be contacted. Ask first, and confirm their preferred contact details.

Use the example inside the builder

Open EaziCVmaker, choose Try an example CV, select Matric school-leaver CV and review the fictional layout. If you already have a draft, save an editable backup before replacing it. Enter your own details and remove any example experience that does not apply.

Before sending

• Check the qualification and completion status against your documents.
• Check the job reference and application instructions separately from your CV.
• Confirm your email, phone number, dates and referee permission.
• Download in the format the employer requests. If none is specified, choose a format you can open and inspect before sending.