The festive season and the start of a new year are prime time for short-term jobs in South Africa. Retail stores, hospitality venues, events companies, and administrative offices hire extra staff to meet increased demand. This makes the period from October to January one of the busiest times for job applications.

If you want to secure one of these positions, your CV for short-term jobs needs to stand out quickly. Many job seekers assume that short-term work does not require a professional CV. The truth is that employers still review applications carefully. A targeted CV shows that you are reliable, prepared, and serious about the role.

Even with limited work experience, you can create a professional CV that highlights your skills, attitude, and availability. This guide is designed to help South African job seekers aged 18–35 tailor their CVs for temporary, festive, or part-time roles. By the end, you will know how to adjust your CV, avoid common mistakes, and increase your chances of being invited to an interview.

Understand the Type of Short-Term Job

Before tailoring your CV for short-term jobs, it is important to understand the nature of these roles. Short-term jobs vary widely but often share common expectations.

Short-Term vs Part-Time vs Contract

• Short-term jobs usually last a few weeks to a few months, often covering peak periods like December in retail or events season.
• Part-time jobs can be ongoing but involve limited hours per week, suitable for students or those balancing other commitments.
• Contract jobs are fixed-term assignments that may require specific skills, such as data entry, administration, or warehouse work.

Employers hiring for short-term positions typically look for:

• Availability: Are you free to work the required hours, including weekends and public holidays?
• Reliability: Can you be counted on to show up on time and complete tasks professionally?
• Relevant skills: Even without formal work experience, do you have transferable skills like teamwork, communication, or customer service?

Knowing what employers value allows you to highlight the most important points on your CV for short-term jobs.

Learn more: Who’s Hiring in December 2025? Top Retail, Hospitality, and Events Jobs Open Now

Quick CV Fixes That Make a Difference

Tailoring your CV for short-term jobs does not require a full rewrite. Small, targeted adjustments can make a big impact.

Adjust Your Profile Summary

Your profile summary is the first section employers read. It should be concise, job-focused, and highlight your availability.

Example of a CV profile summary for short-term jobs:

“Motivated and reliable individual seeking short-term retail or hospitality work. Available immediately with strong communication skills and a commitment to excellent customer service.”

Highlight Transferable Skills

Even without formal work experience, you can showcase skills gained from school, volunteering, sports, or small side projects. Employers appreciate:

• Teamwork – working effectively with others
• Communication – interacting clearly with customers or colleagues
• Punctuality and reliability – showing up on time consistently
• Problem-solving – handling challenges quickly and effectively
• Adaptability – learning new tasks or adjusting to changing situations

Include Volunteer Work and Side Hustles

Volunteer work, school projects, or small businesses can count as experience on your CV for short-term jobs. Examples include:

• Assisting at community events
• Helping organize school fundraisers
• Running a small online store or providing freelance services

Remove Irrelevant or Outdated Sections

A short-term CV should focus only on what matters for the role. Consider removing:

• Long lists of outdated jobs
• Hobbies unrelated to the job
• References (these can be provided on request)

Formatting for Fast Screening

Employers often receive dozens or hundreds of CVs. Clear formatting ensures yours is read quickly.

Keep it Short and Simple

• One page is enough for most short-term roles.
• Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs.
• Keep font sizes between 10–12 points for readability.
• Use professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.

Use a Consistent Layout

Consistency makes your CV look professional:

• Align headings and bullet points
• Ensure even spacing between sections
• Bold job titles or key achievements to draw attention

Section-by-Section Guide for a CV for Short-Term Jobs

Here is an example layout tailored for short-term roles in South Africa:

1. Contact Details

Include:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• City and province

Example:

Nandi Dlamini
083 555 1234
nandidlamini@email.com
Johannesburg, Gauteng

2. Profile Summary

Write a short paragraph highlighting your availability, reliability, and relevant skills. Focus on the type of short-term work you want.

3. Skills

Use bullet points to highlight relevant skills:

• Customer service
• Cash handling
• Event support
• Teamwork and communication
• Computer literacy

4. Experience

Include any paid, volunteer, or side-project work. Keep entries concise:
Retail Assistant, Local Market Stall

June 2025 – August 2025
Assisted with sales and stock management, provided friendly service to customers, and maintained a tidy stall area.

Volunteer Event Helper, Community Sports Day

March 2025
Set up equipment, assisted participants, and supported event organizers with logistics.

5. Education

Include your highest level achieved or current studies:

• Matric, XYZ High School, 2023
• Currently pursuing short courses in Microsoft Office, XYZ College

6. Availability

Clearly state when you can work:

Available immediately, flexible schedule including weekends and public holidays

7. References

Include a line:

Available upon request

Learn more: 15 Things Recruiters Want to See in Your CV

Key Phrases That Employers Notice

Including certain phrases can make your CV for short-term jobs more appealing:

• “Available immediately”
• “Flexible schedule”
• “Customer-focused”
• “Team player”
• “Fast learner”
• “Reliable and punctual”

How to Write a Short Cover Note

A brief cover note can accompany your CV, especially when applying via email or WhatsApp. Keep it friendly and professional.

Example:

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am applying for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I am available immediately and have experience in customer service and teamwork. I am enthusiastic about contributing to your team during the festive season.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Kind regards,
Nandi Dlamini

Even a short cover note can help you stand out from candidates who submit only a CV.

Final Checks Before Submitting

Before sending your CV for short-term jobs, check the following:

Proofreading

• Correct spelling and grammar
• Accurate dates and contact information

File Format

• Save as PDF to preserve formatting
• Name the file professionally, e.g., NandiDlamini_CV.pdf

Professional Email

• Use an email address with your name
• Avoid informal addresses or nicknames

Submission Channels

• Apply through company websites
• Use email if requested
• Use WhatsApp or job groups only if the employer allows it

Common CV Mistakes to Avoid

Even short-term CVs can contain errors that reduce your chances:

1. Too long or cluttered
2. Generic CV used for every application
3. Missing availability information
4. Unprofessional or missing contact details
5. Poor formatting, such as inconsistent bullet points or fonts

Avoiding these mistakes will increase the chances of your CV being noticed.

Learn More: 13 Common CV Mistakes That Stop You from Getting Hired

Quick-Edit Tips for a Weekend Update

Even with limited time, you can improve your CV in a weekend:

1. Update your profile summary to focus on short-term jobs
2. Add volunteer work, projects, or side hustles
3. Highlight relevant skills and phrases from the job ad
4. Remove outdated or irrelevant information
5. Format consistently and save as PDF
6. Include a short cover note to strengthen your application

A few hours of focused effort can make your CV professional and appealing.

Tailoring your CV for short-term jobs does not need to be complicated. Whether you are a student, graduate, or returning to work, a polished CV can be completed in a weekend.

By emphasizing your skills, availability, and reliability, using clear formatting, and including key phrases, your CV for short-term jobs will increase your chances of securing festive and temporary roles.

Employers are looking for candidates ready to start immediately and contribute to the team. A targeted CV shows that you are that candidate.

Start now, act quickly, and let your CV help you secure income and valuable experience during the festive season and early 2026.