CV vs Resume: What Kenyan Employers Actually Want

One of the most common questions from Kenyan job seekers: should I submit a CV or a resume?

The Technical Difference

CV (Curriculum Vitae) — Latin for "course of life." A comprehensive document covering your entire academic and professional history. Common in academia, research, medicine, and international development roles.

Resume — A concise 1-2 page summary of your relevant experience for a specific job. Used in corporate, tech, and commercial sectors globally.

What Kenyan Employers Want

In Kenya, the word "CV" is used interchangeably for both formats in most job postings — but what they actually want is closer to a resume: a concise, targeted, 1-2 page document.

Unless you are applying for: - An academic or research position - A UN/NGO role requiring detailed publication history - A medical or clinical position

...you should be submitting a 1-2 page targeted document, not a 5-page life story.

The Format That Works in Kenya

• Length: 1 page for under 3 years experience, 2 pages for senior roles
• File format: PDF (preserves formatting) or DOCX (for ATS parsing)
• Font: Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica — 10-11pt body text
• Sections: Personal info → Summary → Experience → Education → Skills
• No photos — Kenyan employment law does not require them, and they can introduce bias

Use AI CV Builder to Get It Right

AI CV Builder produces the exact format — length, structure, and language — that works for Kenyan employers across industries. Generate yours free at aicvbuilder.co.ke.