Looking for your first internship but not sure how to create a professional CV? You’re not alone. A strong CV can be the difference between getting an interview or being overlooked — even if you have little or no work experience.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a CV for internships in South Africa, step by step — and give you a FREE editable template to download.
✅ What is a CV?
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a short document that tells employers:
- Who you are
- What you’ve studied
- What skills you have
- Why you’re a good fit for the internship
Your CV is your personal sales pitch. Make it short, clear, and professional.
✍️ How to Structure Your CV for an Internship
Even if you have no formal work experience, you can still create a powerful CV by focusing on your education, skills, achievements, and potential.
Here’s what to include:
1. Contact Information
At the top of your CV:
Full Name
Phone Number
Email Address (professional, e.g., yourname@gmail.com)
City & Province (e.g., Johannesburg, Gauteng)
LinkedIn Profile (optional)
2. Career Objective / Personal Summary
A short paragraph (2–3 lines) explaining who you are and what you’re looking for.
Example:
Hardworking and eager matric graduate looking for an internship in administration or customer service. Passionate about learning, with strong communication and teamwork skills.
3. Education
List your latest education first:
National Senior Certificate (Matric)
School Name – Year Completed: 2024
Subjects: English, Maths Lit, Business Studies, Life Orientation, Tourism
Achievements: Prefect, Top 10 student (if applicable)
If you’re currently in university or college, list your course and expected graduation year.
4. Skills
Include both soft skills and technical skills:
✔️ Communication
✔️ Time Management
✔️ Microsoft Word & Excel
✔️ Teamwork
✔️ Social Media Basics
✔️ Typing Speed: 45 wpm
5. Extracurricular Activities / Projects / Volunteering
Employers want to see that you’re active and responsible.
Example:
- Member of school debate team
- Volunteered at local youth center
- Managed class WhatsApp group and helped with homework sharing
- Created a personal blog about tech (if applicable)
6. References
You can include 1–2 people who know you professionally or academically:
Mr. M. Ndlovu
Life Orientation Teacher
ABC High School
Email: m.ndlovu@abchigh.co.za
Phone: 081 234 5678
📥 Download Your FREE Internship CV Template (Editable)
We’ve created a free, easy-to-edit CV template just for South African internship seekers. Perfect for matriculants, students, or recent graduates.
👉 Download the CV Template (Word Document)
(If you’d like, I can upload it and create the download link for you)
🔑 Final CV Tips
✅ Keep your CV 1 page long
✅ Use a simple font like Arial or Calibri
✅ Avoid slang or emojis
✅ Always proofread before sending
✅ Save it as YourName_CV.pdf
🚀 Ready to Apply for Internships?
Now that you have your CV ready, head over to GoIntern.co.za to browse real, updated internships available across South Africa — no experience needed.
📌 Whether you’re in Grade 12 or a graduate, GoIntern is your gateway to career success.
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