CV Format for Jobs in Botswana (2026): What to Include and Attach

Quick answer: For most jobs in Botswana, use a clean two-page CV in reverse-chronological order: contact details, a short profile, work experience, education, skills and two or three referees. Keep the CV itself free of documents, then attach exactly what the advert asks for — usually certified copies of your Omang and certificates — and send it only through the channel the advert names.

This guide covers the section order recruiters in Botswana expect, what to leave out, how public-sector and private-sector applications differ, and how to deal with foreign qualifications through the Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA). A copy-and-edit template is included at the end.

The CV format that works in Botswana

Botswana employers, from government departments to mines, banks and lodges, mostly use the British-style "CV" rather than a one-page American résumé. In practice that means:

• Length: two pages for most candidates; one page is fine for school leavers; three pages only for senior or highly technical careers.

• Order: most recent job first (reverse-chronological).

• Layout: one column, clear headings, a standard font such as Arial or Calibri at 10–12 pt, no photos of certificates pasted inside the CV.

• File: PDF unless the advert asks for Word, named clearly, for example Thato-Molefe-CV-Accounts-Officer.pdf.

• Language: English, written in plain, factual sentences.

Section-by-section: what to include

1. Contact details

• Full name as it appears on your Omang.

• Mobile number with the +267 country code, and a WhatsApp number if different.

• A professional email address (firstname.surname style).

• Town or village where you live, for example Gaborone, Francistown or Maun. A full street address is not necessary.

• LinkedIn profile link, if you keep it up to date.

2. Personal profile (3–4 lines)

Say who you are, your strongest qualification or experience, and the job you are targeting. Rewrite it for each application so it mirrors the main requirements in the advert.

3. Work experience

• Job title, employer, town, and start and end month/year.

• Three to five bullet points per role that start with an action verb and show results (for example, "Reconciled 40+ supplier accounts monthly with no audit queries").

• Include internships, attachments, the National Internship Programme, volunteer work and Tirelo Sechaba placements — these count as experience.

4. Education and qualifications

• Highest qualification first: institution, qualification, year completed.

• For BGCSE, list your points or grades where an advert sets a minimum. Government adverts often state a points threshold, so make yours easy to find.

• Professional qualifications and memberships (for example ACCA, CIMA or BICA registration for accountants) with membership numbers where relevant.

5. Skills

List job-relevant skills that the advert mentions: software (Excel, Pastel, Sage, SAP), languages (English, Setswana and others), a driving licence class, and technical tickets such as first aid or blasting certificates. Avoid vague claims like "hard-working" unless you back them up in your experience bullets.

6. Referees

Give two or three referees with name, job title, organisation, phone and email. At least one should be a current or recent supervisor. Ask their permission first. Many Botswana adverts also ask for written references, so keep signed reference letters ready to certify.

What to leave out of your CV

• Your Omang number, date of birth, marital status, religion or a photo — unless the advert specifically asks for them. Age or citizenship rules (common in disciplined-force and some government posts) are checked from the documents you attach.

• Scanned certificates embedded inside the CV file.

• Salary history, unless requested.

• Long lists of school-level hobbies or outdated short courses.

Supporting documents: certified copies and the Omang

The biggest difference between applying in Botswana and in many other countries is the supporting pack. Government programmes routinely ask for certified copies alongside a CV. For example:

• The National Service Programme (Tirelo Sechaba) lists a certified copy of the Omang, certified copies of academic qualifications, a CV and references.

• Botswana Defence Force recruitment asks for certified proof of qualification and a valid Omang (or proof of registration).

Practical tips:

• Prepare a folder with recently certified copies of your Omang, certificates, transcripts and reference letters so you can respond quickly when a short deadline appears.

• Attach only what the advert lists, in the order it lists them, and put your CV on top.

• If you apply by email, merge the documents into one or two clearly named PDFs rather than ten separate photos.

• Write a short cover letter that quotes the job title and any reference number given in the advert.

Foreign qualifications: BQA evaluation

If you studied outside Botswana, an employer may want proof that your qualification is genuine and how it compares locally. The Botswana Qualifications Authority's Evaluation of Qualifications service does two things: it verifies that the awarding institution and documents are authentic, and it checks how a foreign qualification compares on the National Credit and Qualifications Framework (NCQF). The result is recognition or non-recognition.

• Applications are made online through the BQA "Apply for Service" portal.

• You first request verification from your awarding body, which can send it to BQA directly or through a verification service such as HEDD (UK) or ZAQA (Zambia).

• BQA states that any fees for these services are paid by the applicant.

• On your CV, add the outcome next to the qualification, for example "BQA evaluated – recognised at NCQF Level 7", once you have it.

Government vs private-sector applications

• Public service: recruitment for public officers is managed by the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) and individual ministries. Follow the advert's exact instructions on the reference number, address and documents, and send everything it lists.

• Graduates without experience: diploma and degree holders can also register on DPSM's Unemployed Graduate Database online. The government page lists no documents or fees for registration.

• Mines, banks and large companies: many use online application systems that scan CVs for keywords. Use the same job titles and skill words as the advert, and avoid tables, text boxes and graphics that systems cannot read. See our Debswana application guide and bank graduate trainee programmes in Botswana for employer-specific steps.

• Hospitality and tourism: lodges value practical skills and guest-facing experience; list languages, guiding or food-safety certificates near the top. Our safari lodge jobs guide explains where those roles are advertised.

Avoid recruitment scams

A good CV attracts attention — including from fraudsters. Genuine employers and government departments do not ask you to pay for a job, an interview slot, a medical or "processing". Check vacancies on official gov.bw pages or the employer's own website, be wary of offers sent from free email addresses or WhatsApp-only contacts, and never send your Omang copy to someone you cannot verify. Report suspected fraud to the Botswana Police Service.

Free Botswana CV template (copy and edit)

1. NAME SURNAME – Gaborone · +267 7X XXX XXX · name.surname@email.com · LinkedIn URL

2. Profile – "BAcc graduate (University of Botswana) with 18 months' accounts payable experience and BICA student membership, seeking an Accounts Officer role."

3. Work experience – Job title | Employer | Town | Month Year – Month Year, followed by 3–5 achievement bullets.

4. Education – Qualification | Institution | Year; BGCSE points if relevant; professional memberships.

5. Skills – Software, languages, licence class, certificates.

6. Referees – Two or three: name, title, organisation, phone, email.

Prefer a ready-made layout? Build and download a clean, ATS-friendly CV with the free Jobsiz CV builder, or read our general CV format guide and tips for writing a CV with no experience.

FAQs

How many pages should a CV be in Botswana?

Two pages suits most applicants. School leavers can use one page, and senior or specialist professionals can go to three if every line is relevant.

Should I put my Omang number on my CV?

No, not unless the advert asks for it. Attach a certified copy of your Omang when the advert requests it instead, which keeps your ID details out of every CV you send.

Do I need to certify documents for every job application?

Only when the advert asks. Many government and parastatal posts do request certified copies, so keep a recently certified set ready.

Do I need BQA evaluation for a foreign degree?

It depends on the employer and role, but BQA's Evaluation of Qualifications confirms authenticity and NCQF comparability, which helps when an employer must check a foreign qualification. Apply online through the BQA portal.

Should I include a photo on my CV?

No. A photo is not expected for most Botswana jobs and takes up space better used for experience, unless an advert specifically asks for one.

Ready to apply? Polish your CV, then browse the latest jobs on Jobsiz and entry-level openings.

Sources: Government of Botswana service pages (Tirelo Sechaba, BDF recruitment, DPSM, Unemployed Graduate Database) and the Botswana Qualifications Authority, checked 27 October 2026. Always follow the instructions in the specific vacancy advert.