How to Write a CV Title: Create a Powerful First Impression
In the crowded and competitive Kenyan job market, whether you’re a graduate seeking your first job, a skilled technician, or an experienced professional, knowing how to write a CV title can significantly boost your chances of landing interviews.
A CV Title is one of the most overlooked yet critical components of a winning CV. A CV Title, also known as a headline, is not just a phrase; it’s your professional identity in a sentence.
It’s the first thing employers see after your name, and it plays a crucial role in matching the job requirements.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to write a CV title, why it matters, the keywords to include, examples for different professions in Kenya, and tips to help you write a good CV and stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.
Introduction: How to Write a CV Title That Grabs Recruiters’ Attention Instantly
In today’s competitive job market, recruiters take only 6–10 seconds to scan a CV before deciding whether to read further or move on. That means your CV must make a strong first impression to grab the recruiter’s attention and get them to read further. One of the most effective ways to create a strong first impression is by crafting a strong CV title.
What is a CV Title?
Think of it as your career tagline, which instantly tells the employer who you are professionally
A CV title is a short, impactful statement that sits just below your name and contact details at the top of your CV, highlighting your professional identity, career focus, and key strengths all in one line or word.
While many job seekers overlook this small detail, a strong CV title can be the difference between getting shortlisted and being ignored.
This guide will walk you through the importance of a strong CV Title, how to write a CV Title, the keywords to include for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems), and real examples.
Importance of a Strong CV Title
If you want your CV to stand out and immediately show employers who you are and what you bring to the table, you need a strong CV title.
Why You Need a Strong CV Title
- Grabs Immediate Attention
- Pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
- Clarifies Your Career Focus
- Aligns with Job Descriptions
Grabs Immediate Attention
In a competitive job market like Kenya, recruiters receive hundreds of CVs for every single position. Learning how to write a CV Title that grabs recruiters’ attention in seconds increases your chances of being shortlisted.
Think of your CV title as a news headline crafted to pull in readers’ attention. Your CV title should be strong enough to make employers want to learn more about you.
A well-written CV title immediately communicates who you are professionally, your area of expertise, and what value you bring to the role.
For example, a generic title like “Job Seeker” may be ignored, but something more specific like “Certified Accounting Professional” will catch the recruiter’s eye and encourage them to keep reading.
A well-targeted headline helps recruiters quickly see that you’re a match for the position, giving your CV a better chance of being shortlisted.
Tips to Make Your CV Title Grab Attention:
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Include a job title that matches the role you’re applying for
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Use keywords from the job description (e.g., “Sales Manager,” “Graphic Designer,” “Procurement Officer”)
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Add a skill or achievement that sets you apart (e.g., “Specialist in Logistics & Inventory Control”)
Example of a Strong CV Title:
“Experienced Marketing Officer | Digital Strategy & Campaign Management | 4+ Years in FMCG Industry”
Pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Most companies in Kenya today use ATS software to scan CVs for specific keywords and filter out CVs before a human recruiter ever sees them.
An ATS scans CVs for specific keywords, phrases, and formats that match the job description. Having these keywords and phrases in your CV helps your CV pass the ATS.
Learning how to write a CV Title that is relevant to job-specific terms helps your CV pass through this first digital filter.
This means that your CV title and content must be carefully crafted to include the right job-related keywords and phrases that the system is looking for.
For example, if you’re applying for a role as a “Procurement Officer”, your CV title should mention that role, such as:
“Procurement Officer | Inventory Management | Supplier Negotiation & Logistics Expertise”
How to Make Sure Your CV Passes ATS:
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Use the exact job title as advertised (e.g., “Nurse”, “Electrical Technician”, “Sales Executive”)
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Include industry-specific keywords from the job description
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Avoid graphics, tables, or unusual fonts that ATS may not read
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Use a clean, standard format (Word or PDF unless otherwise stated)
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Don’t use abbreviations unless they’re common (e.g., write “Customer Relationship Management (CRM)” instead of just “CRM”)
Example of an ATS-Friendly CV Title:
“Accountant | CPA Kenya | 5+ Years in Financial Reporting & Tax Compliance”
This includes:
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A clear job title (“Accountant”)
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A credential (CPA Kenya)
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Keywords relevant to the job (“Financial Reporting”, “Tax Compliance”)
What to Avoid When Writing a CV Title
Avoid using slang or complex words that could sound complex to the ATS. Avoid words or phrases such as “Operations Guru” or “Multi-skilled Manager”; the ATS might not recognize those as relevant, and your CV could be filtered out, even if you’re qualified.
Clarifies Your Career Focus
A strong CV title clarifies your professional direction and focus to potential employers and recruiters.
It shows them at a glance what job you’re targeting and how your background aligns with the role.
In Kenya’s competitive job market, where a single vacancy can attract hundreds of applicants, learning how to write a CV Title clarifies your professionalism, making you stand out within seconds.
Why Clarifying Your Career Focus Matters:
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Saves Time for Employers: Recruiters spend only 6–10 seconds scanning a CV. A clear CV title like “Registered Nurse – KRCHN Certified” tells them immediately what you do and what value you bring.
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Shows Professional Intent: A vague or generic CV like “CV of John Mwangi” doesn’t show what role you’re applying for. But a title like “Plumber | Piping, Drainage & Maintenance Specialist” tells the recruiter your area of specialization and helps position you for the right role.
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Aligns You with the Job Description: Tailoring your title to match the job you’re applying for shows that you understand the role and have made the effort to align your application with it. For example, for a procurement role, your title could be:
“Procurement Officer | Supply Chain | Inventory Management Expert”
Keywords to Use:
When crafting a CV title that clarifies your career focus, incorporate:
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Your desired job title
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Relevant industry skills or certifications
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Years of experience (optional)
Examples:
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“Primary School Teacher | TSC Registered | CBC & Early Childhood Specialist”
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“Driver | Defensive Driving Certified | 5+ Years Experience with PSV & Logistics Vehicles”
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“Graphic Designer | Adobe Suite Expert | Branding & Digital Media”
Aligns with Job Descriptions
One of the smartest strategies for writing a winning CV in Kenya is to ensure that your CV title aligns with the job description of the position you’re applying for.
This alignment helps increase the likelihood that applicant tracking systems (ATS) will notice you, making it more likely you’ll be shortlisted for interviews.
Why This Alignment Matters:
Shows That You Understand the Role
When your CV title directly reflects the role being advertised, it signals to the employer that you are not randomly applying for jobs—you understand the job requirements and have positioned yourself as a fit. For example:
Job Ad: “We’re hiring an Accounts Assistant with QuickBooks experience.”
Your CV Title: “Accounts Assistant | Proficient in QuickBooks | 3+ Years in Accounting Support”
Improves ATS (Applicant Tracking System) Visibility
Many companies in Kenya—especially large organizations, NGOs, and government bodies—use automated systems to scan CVs. These systems look for specific keywords from the job description. If your CV title includes these keywords, it’s more likely that your CV will pass initial filtering.
Makes You Instantly Relevant
Recruiters often sort through hundreds of CVs. A well-aligned title helps them see immediately that your experience matches what they’re looking for. For instance:
“Procurement Officer | Strategic Sourcing | Inventory & Supply Chain Management”
aligns perfectly with a procurement job seeking someone experienced in supply chain functions.
Sets You Apart
Generic CVs are often ignored. A CV title that mirrors the language of the job description proves you took time to read, understand, and tailor your application, qualities that employers value highly.
Example Job Alignment:
Job Ad Title: “Hiring: Digital Marketer with Social Media & SEO Skills”
CV Title: “Digital Marketing Specialist | SEO Expert | Social Media & Content Marketing”
How to Write a Strong CV Title (Step-by-Step Guide)
Use Your Job Title
Always start your CV title with your current or target job title. This instantly aligns your CV with the job opening.
Example: “Graphic Designer”, “Registered Nurse”, “Procurement Officer”
Add Years of Experience (If Applicable)
If you have significant experience, include it in your title. This gives recruiters an idea of your expertise level.
Example: “Experienced Accountant – 5+ Years in Audit and Compliance”
Incorporate Keywords
Use job-relevant keywords that employers in Kenya often search for. These could include skills, software, certifications, or tools commonly used in your field.
Example: “ICT Support Specialist | Windows, Networking, & Help Desk Expert”
Mention a Specialization or Strength
Highlight your core strength, area of expertise, or a result-oriented phrase.
Example: “Sales Executive | B2B | Client Acquisition & Revenue Growth”
CV Title Examples for Popular Professions in Kenya
- Accountant – CPA Certified Accountant
- Teacher – TSC Registered Teacher
- Nurse – Licensed Nurse
- Procurement Officer – CIPS Certified Procurement Professional
- Electrical Technician – Electrical Technician
- ICT Officer – ICT Support Technician
- Sales & Marketing – High-Performing Sales Executive
- Human Resource Officer – HR Officer
- Graphic Designer – Graphic Designer
- Construction Manager – Construction Site Manager
Tips on How to Write a CV Title
- Keep It Short and Precise. Limit your title to one line. Avoid long sentences or generic statements.
- Customize for Each Job Application. Tailor your CV title to reflect the specific job you are applying for. It helps you appear more targeted and focused.
- Avoid Generic Phrases. Avoid terms like “Job Seeker”, “Looking for Employment”, or “Hardworking Professional”—they don’t say anything specific or add value.
- Be Honest. Only include skills or job titles that accurately reflect your qualifications. Don’t exaggerate roles you haven’t held.
Final Tips on How to Write a CV Title
Having the know-how on how to write a CV Title is one of the most effective ways to stand out in Kenya’s competitive job market.
A strong CV title instantly tells recruiters who you are, what you do, and why you’re a top candidate for the job.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, skilled technician, or experienced professional, your CV title can elevate your job search and position you for more interviews and opportunities.
Always customize your CV title for each job you apply for, even when roles sound similar but have different focus areas (e.g., Administrative Assistant vs. Personal Assistant).
Aligning with the job description shows intentionality and relevance—traits that give your CV a strong competitive edge.
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