Short answer
A South African CV follows local hiring conventions: no photo, ID number, race or marital status (POPIA and Employment Equity Act make these legally sensitive); British English; references 'available on request'. Typical length is 2 pages (up to 3 for senior or academic roles). Photo: No — legally sensitive under POPIA. Matching these expectations matters as much as the content.
CV Desk helps you build to the right structure on your iPhone, keep the layout ATS-readable, and export a clean PDF without a watermark. Tailor the wording to each job before you send it.
What to look for before choosing
- Correct format for a South African CV: no photo, ID number, race or marital status (POPIA and Employment Equity Act make these legally sensitive); British English; references 'available on request'.
- Length: 2 pages (up to 3 for senior or academic roles).
- Photo: No — legally sensitive under POPIA.
- ATS-readable layout (single column, standard fonts, no text in images).
- Clean PDF export with no watermark; tailor keywords to each job posting.
A practical decision process
- Pick a South African CV-appropriate template.
- Fill in reverse-chronological experience with measurable results.
- Apply the local photo rule (No).
- Mirror keywords from the target job description for ATS.
- Export as PDF and check it opens cleanly on desktop.
Quick comparison
| Need | What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Check whether useful features require a subscription, a one-time unlock, or neither. | The cheapest app on day one may not be cheapest after a year. |
| Privacy model | Prefer on-device work when the content is sensitive. | Private documents, resumes, study data, and family content deserve careful handling. |
| Export / lock-in | Confirm file formats, sharing, backup, and deletion controls. | A good app should help you finish the task, not trap your work. |
Where CV Desk fits
CV Desk is a strong fit when you need a South African CV that looks right for the local market and still passes automated screening.
Pay onceNo watermarkPDF & Word
This page is an independent buying guide. App Store features and prices can change, so confirm details on the listing before purchase.