Career Tips

FREE CAREER GUIDES

Get ready for your next job.

Seven short, practical guides for job seekers in Somaliland, Somalia and the region. Learn how to write a CV and cover letter that get you shortlisted, prepare for interviews, and stay safe from fake job adverts. Free, and written for you.

What you will learn

Pick a guide or read them in order. Each one takes about three minutes.

Not sure where to start?

Choose the situation that sounds like you.

GUIDE 1 OF 7

How to prepare a strong CV.

6 steps to a CV that gets you shortlisted.

Get the full illustrated guide to read offline, print or share with a friend.

Download the guide (PDF)

1. 1Start with your contact detailsFull name, phone number, professional email and city at the top. No photo, date of birth or marital status unless the advert asks for them.
2. 2Write a short profileThree or four lines: who you are, your strongest skills and the kind of job you want.Example: Public health graduate with 2 years’ experience in community health programmes in Hargeisa.
3. 3List your experience, newest firstFor each job: title, organisation, dates, and 3–5 bullet points showing what you achieved.
4. 4Add education and trainingDegree, university and year. Then short courses and certificates that match the job.
5. 5Show your skillsLanguages (Somali, English, Arabic), computer skills (Word, Excel, KoboToolbox) and the technical skills the job needs.
6. 6Add referees and save as PDFTwo or three referees who know your work. Save as PDF with a clear name.Example: Amina-Hassan-CV.pdf

↑ Back to all guides

GUIDE 2 OF 7

How to write a cover letter.

One page that makes them want to read your CV.

Get the full illustrated guide to read offline, print or share with a friend.

Download the guide (PDF)

1. 1Address it correctlyUse the hiring manager’s name if you know it. Write the job title and reference number in the subject line.Example: Subject: Application – M&E Officer (Ref. HR/045/2026)
2. 2Open with the job you wantIn the first lines, say which position you are applying for, where you saw it, and why it interests you.
3. 3Match the advertPick the 2–3 most important requirements and give a real example of how you meet each one.
4. 4Show you know the organisationAdd one or two lines about their work and why you want to be part of it.
5. 5Close with confidenceSay when you can start, thank them for their time, and say you look forward to an interview.
6. 6Keep it short and check itOne page only. Check spelling and names, and follow the advert’s instructions on format and email subject.

↑ Back to all guides

GUIDE 3 OF 7

What makes a good CV?

6 things recruiters look for in the first 30 seconds.

Get the full illustrated guide to read offline, print or share with a friend.

Download the guide (PDF)

1. 1It is shortTwo pages for experienced candidates, one page for fresh graduates. Recruiters scan, they don’t read.
2. 2It fits the jobUse the words from the advert. Change your CV for every application, not just the date.
3. 3It shows results, not dutiesNumbers and outcomes stand out.Example: “Trained 40 community health workers” beats “Responsible for training.”
4. 4It is clean and easy to readOne simple font, clear headings and bullet points. No colourful templates, tables or graphics.
5. 5It is honestDates, job titles, degrees and referees can all be checked. One false detail can cost you the job.
6. 6It has no mistakesCheck spelling, dates and contact details. Ask a friend to read it before you send it.

↑ Back to all guides

GUIDE 4 OF 7

Interview tips that work.

Prepare well and walk in with confidence.

Get the full illustrated guide to read offline, print or share with a friend.

Download the guide (PDF)

1. 1Research the organisationRead their website and recent work. Read the job advert again and know every requirement.
2. 2Prepare your answersPractise common questions: tell us about yourself, your strengths, why this job. Use the STAR method.Example: Situation · Task · Action · Result
3. 3Be on timeArrive 15 minutes early. For online interviews, test your internet and camera and find a quiet place.
4. 4Look professionalDress neatly and bring copies of your CV, certificates and ID.
5. 5Listen, then answer clearlyTake a moment to think. Give short, clear answers with real examples from your work or studies.
6. 6Ask questions and say thank youAsk one or two questions about the role or team, then thank the panel for their time.

↑ Back to all guides

GUIDE 5 OF 7

6 common CV mistakes.

Avoid these and your CV is already ahead.

Get the full illustrated guide to read offline, print or share with a friend.

Download the guide (PDF)

1. 1Spelling and grammar errorsSmall mistakes make recruiters think you are careless. Always check twice.
2. 2An unprofessional email addressUse your name, not a nickname.Example: amina.hassan@gmail.com, not princess_22@…
3. 3The same CV for every jobA general CV looks lazy. Adjust your profile and skills to match each advert.
4. 4Listing duties instead of resultsShow what you achieved, not just what your job description said.
5. 5Unclear dates and gapsWrite month and year for every job. If you have a gap, explain it briefly (study, family, volunteering).
6. 6The wrong fileNo photos of a paper CV and no files called “CV final final”. Send a PDF with your name.

↑ Back to all guides

GUIDE 6 OF 7

How to spot a fake job advert.

Protect your money and your personal details.

Get the full illustrated guide to read offline, print or share with a friend.

Download the guide (PDF)

1. 1They ask you to payReal employers never charge for applications, training, medicals or visas. If you must pay, it is a scam.
2. 2No real organisationNo company name, address or website, only a WhatsApp number or a personal Gmail address.
3. 3Too good to be trueA very high salary, “no experience needed” and “start tomorrow” are warning signs.
4. 4They rush youPressure to decide today, or to send documents immediately, is a classic scam trick.
5. 5They want private documents earlyNever send your passport, bank details or ID card before a real interview and offer.
6. 6Check before you applyLook for the organisation’s official website or page. Not sure? Email info@riyojobs.com and we will help you check.

↑ Back to all guides

GUIDE 7 OF 7

How to follow up after applying.

Stay professional while you wait.

Get the full illustrated guide to read offline, print or share with a friend.

Download the guide (PDF)

1. 1Keep a list of your applicationsWrite down the job, organisation, date you applied and the deadline, so you never lose track.
2. 2Give them timeMost organisations start shortlisting after the deadline. It can take 2–4 weeks.
3. 3Read the advert firstIf it says “only shortlisted candidates will be contacted”, don’t follow up. If not, one polite email is fine.
4. 4Send one short, polite emailAbout two weeks after the deadline.Example: “I applied for the Finance Officer position on 10 October and remain very interested. I would be grateful for any update.”
5. 5Say thank you after an interviewSend a short thank-you email within 24 hours. Few candidates do it, so it gets noticed.
6. 6Not selected? Keep goingThank them, ask for feedback if you can, and keep applying. Every application makes you better.

↑ Back to all guides

BEFORE YOU CLICK SEND

Your checklist before you apply

• ✓Read the full advert, including the deadline and how to apply.
• ✓Change your CV so it matches the requirements in the advert.
• ✓Write a cover letter for this job, not a general one.
• ✓Save your documents as PDF with your name (for example, Amina-Hassan-CV.pdf).
• ✓Put the job title and reference number in the email subject.
• ✓Attach every document the advert asks for, such as certificates and ID.
• ✓Send it before the deadline, not on the last hour of the last day.
• ✓Write the job down in your applications list.

Stay safe

Riyo Jobs never charges job seekers, and we never ask for money, passwords or bank details. We share adverts from employers; we are not the employer, so always apply directly to the organisation named in the advert. If an advert looks suspicious, email info@riyojobs.com and we will help you check it.

Ready to put this into practice?

New jobs, tenders and career tips every week. Follow @RiyoJobs on Facebook and LinkedIn so you never miss one.