What is the best CV format in South Africa?

Reverse chronological (latest job first) with a short profile at the top. It's what South African recruiters and job portals expect.

How long should a sales CV be?

Two pages for most people; three for long careers or senior managers.

Should my CV be in English?

Yes, for most South African employers, unless the advert is written in another language. Mention the other languages you speak.

Mr Sales CV › Sales CV examples › How to write a sales CV

How to write a sales CV in South Africa

By the Mr Sales CV team · Updated 19 October 2026

Ten steps, in the order you should do them. Most people start with the layout; start with your numbers instead.

1. Collect your numbers first

Before you write a word, list your targets and results for each job: % of target, rankings, growth, new accounts, biggest deals, awards. These are what get you shortlisted. See 60 achievement examples for ideas.

2. Pick the job you're aiming for

Read two or three adverts for the job you want. Note the job title, the products or customers, and the skills they repeat. Your CV should use the same words.

3. Contact details (keep them short)

Name, cell number, professional email, town or suburb, and your driver's licence code if the job involves driving. South African employers don't need your ID number, photo, age or marital status to shortlist you.

4. Write a 3 to 4 line profile

Example

Telesales agent with 3 years selling insurance and cellphone contracts. Consistently in the top 20% of the floor for sales and quality. Averaged 108% of daily target in 2025. Fluent in English and isiZulu.

5. Add 3 to 5 career highlights

Your best results, with numbers, straight under the profile. A recruiter who reads only the top third of page one should still see why you're good.

6. Employment history, latest first

Company, job title, month and year started and ended. Under each job: one line on what you sold and to whom, then 3 to 5 results. Older jobs can be one line each.

7. Key skills that match the advert

8 to 12 short skills: new business development, account management, objection handling, the CRM you used, product knowledge. Use the advert's wording.

8. Qualifications and training

Matric (Grade 12), any certificate, diploma or degree, and sales or product training. Write the full name of the qualification and the year. Regulated jobs need their own lines (for example RE5 in insurance, or your PPRA status in property).

9. Check length and format

Two pages for most sales people.
One column, clear headings, no tables or text boxes, so job-portal systems can read it.
Save as a PDF named with your name, e.g. Thandi-Nkosi-CV.pdf, unless the advert asks for Word.

10. Change it for each job

Adjust the profile, the order of highlights and the skills for every application. Add a short cover letter that names the job and your one or two best results.

Rather do it in 15 minutes? Mr Sales CV follows these steps for you: it asks for your numbers, writes the lines and lays out the PDF.

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Examples for your job

Questions people ask

What is the best CV format in South Africa?: Reverse chronological (latest job first) with a short profile at the top. It's what South African recruiters and job portals expect.
How long should a sales CV be?: Two pages for most people; three for long careers or senior managers.
Should my CV be in English?: Yes, for most South African employers, unless the advert is written in another language. Mention the other languages you speak.

Build your sales CV in about 15 minutes

Answer mostly by tapping on your phone, about 15 minutes. See your whole CV free, then pay R250 once for the PDF. No account, no subscription.

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More sales CV examples

The examples on this page are made up to show the format. Use your own real numbers: a sales manager will ask about every figure on your CV.