English CV in Mozambique: Writing Guide with Examples

An English CV is written in two languages: your profile in correct English and your real experience in Portuguese, adapted term by term. It only makes sense when the job posting requests it or the company is international — and it is never done using automatic translation.

This article is part of the Inademy Guide, where you will find practical answers for every stage of your job search in Mozambique.

📥 Ready-to-use template: Download the English CV (.docx) — free.

The short answer

If the job listing is in English, submit your CV in English — structured like a Portuguese CV, but with section titles and profile statements in the language of the job post. Translating word-for-word is the most common mistake; adapt your CV using professional terminology, not a mobile translation app.

Use English only when requested — for job posts in Portuguese, an English CV is no advantage.
Standard English section titles — Work Experience, Education, Skills, Languages, References.
Start bullet points with action verbs — "Increased", "Managed", "Supported", never "I was responsible for".
One page, in PDF format — as with any job application in Mozambique.
No machine translation — errors stand out immediately and international recruiters will notice them.

When an English CV makes sense

In Mozambique, most companies operate in Portuguese — an English CV offers no advantage in those cases. But there are clear situations where it does:

Roles at international companies — non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, energy and mining companies, international banking. Many publish job postings in English and screen applicants in that language.
Roles that explicitly request it — the job posting says "CV in English" or "fluent in English": then there is no doubt.
Regional programs and scholarships — in Southern Africa and for opportunities abroad, English is the working language.
Trade and export sectors — when the work involves foreign clients or suppliers.

And a detail many people overlook: a Mozambican recruitment platform includes international language proficiency among the selection criteria employers use to filter applicants. If you speak English, your CV should state it — in the main text and under skills.

Young person writing an English CV by hand

How to adapt your CV into English

This process requires professional translation, not word-for-word substitution. Step by step:

Keep personal contact details as they are. Name, contact details, and city are not translated. "Maputo" remains "Maputo"; your name stays your name.
Write the profile in natural English. Two or three lines covering the same information: who you are, your experience, and what you are looking for. It is not a literal translation — it is the same profile in the recruiter's language.
Translate job duties using action verbs. "Organizei o stock" becomes "Managed inventory"; "atendimento ao cliente" becomes "Customer service" — and in the description, "Provided customer support in a retail setting".
Use standard international section titles. "Experiência Profissional" → "Work Experience"; "Formação Académica" → "Education"; "Competências" → "Skills"; "Línguas" → "Languages"; "Referências" → "References" or "Available on request".
Numbers and dates in international format. Use the job listing format or standard English convention: "2023–2025", "3 years". Always use the correct unit: "3 years", not "3 anos".
Update the skills section. "Carta de condução" becomes "Driving licence"; "Word e Excel" becomes "Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)".
Review as if you were someone else. Read the CV aloud in English. If you do not know how to write a sentence, the recruiter will not understand it either — simplify it.

An example of a profile in English, following the same standard as the Portuguese examples:

Professional Summary: "Sales assistant with 3 years of retail experience in Maputo. Looking for a customer service position. Skilled in operating a cash register and in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel); native Portuguese speaker, intermediate English."

What NOT to do in an English CV

Do not use automatic translation. Translators swap words without understanding context: "atender" can become "attend" when it should be "handle", and "actualmente" becomes "actually" when it should be "currently".
Do not mix languages in the same document. English headings with Portuguese body text signals incomplete work. One language, from start to finish.
Do not make things up. You are writing in English, but the experience remains the same: dates, roles, and results are real.
Do not create a long CV. One page, just as in Portuguese. An international recruiter will not read more than that either.
Do not write "Curriculum Vitae" at the top. Your name — not that phrase — is the first thing that goes on the document.

Hands reviewing an application on a mobile phone

Ready-to-use phrases for your CV in English

These are templates for the three most important sections — profile, experience, and skills. Replace what is in brackets with your own facts, never the opposite:

Profile: "Hard-working young professional with [number] years of experience in [area]. Seeking a role as [position]."
Experience with results: "Managed [task] and improved [result]". "Supported the team in [task]". "Handled [volume/activity] on a daily basis."
Customer service: "Provided customer service in [language] and [language], resolving complaints and supporting daily operations."
Education: "Completed secondary education (12th grade) at [school], [year]."
Skills: "Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel); valid driving licence; fluent in Portuguese, working knowledge of English."
Availability: "Available to start immediately" or "Available for full-time work in Maputo."

Note: each phrase states what you did, not what you are. It is the same rule as for a CV in Portuguese — only the language changes.

British or American English?

This choice won't make or break an application—but there are simple rules to follow. For European and English-speaking African companies, use British English ("organise", "colour", "programme" along with UK terminology). For American companies, use American English ("organize", "color"). Above all, consistency matters: pick one style and stick to it throughout the entire document.

How Inademy helps you

On Inademy, your profile details include the languages you speak — which is why job openings from international companies can reach you. You create your profile on your phone, your CV is linked to your profile, and you receive new job listings via WhatsApp and email, in your language and in the language of the postings.

Young person receiving a response for an international job application on their phone

View current jobs on Inademy and create your free profile. If you are looking in the capital, start with jobs in Maputo — many international companies are based there.

Common mistakes when translating a CV into English

Many candidates fail because they translate their experience word for word. Verbs should be active and in the correct tense: managed, processed, delivered, not work in. Quantify whenever possible, as a number (+40 transactions per day) carries more weight than an adjective.

Ready-to-use CV line examples in English

Sales: "Processed 40+ retail transactions daily while keeping a 98% accuracy rate."
Administration: "Coordinated schedules for a 6-person team and kept all records up to date."
Logistics: "Reduced stock errors by 15% by introducing a daily recount routine."

Final English CV checklist

No photo or date of birth (not standard practice in English).
Consistent imperative and past tense verbs.
Quantify: numbers, values, deadlines.
Review with a native speaker or proofreading tool.
File name: CV_Firstname_Lastname.pdf.

Tips by industry

In finance and banking, emphasize metrics and certifications (CPA, CFA) and use the word compliance precisely. In retail, highlight volume, error rate, and customer satisfaction. In construction and manufacturing, record safety, deadlines, and the teams you worked with. In each field, choose the three numbers that most impress a recruiter in that industry and open your CV with them.

Frequently asked questions

Should I write my CV in English even if the job posting doesn't ask for it?

No. In Mozambique, most companies and sectors work in Portuguese — an English CV offers no advantage in these cases. The rule is the language of the advertisement: if the vacancy is listed in English, the CV should be in English.

My English is basic. Can I use a translator?

You can use a translator as a starting point — never as the final result. A CV with English errors sends worse signals than a clean Portuguese CV or simple, correct English.

How do I write my education in English?

"12th grade" for Grade 12; "Technical and Vocational Education" for technical and vocational education; "Degree in..." for a bachelor's degree. Keep the institution name as it is — Mozambican institutions are not translated.

Will my English CV pass screening systems?

It will pass if it is real text, in a single column, with standard headings, and in PDF format — the rules are the same for any CV. Our guide to CVs for automated screening systems explains the full format.

In what language should I write references?

In the language of the CV. References are contacts: name, job title, and phone number. If the job posting is in English, the contacts do not change — but the phrase "References available on request" replaces "Referências a pedir".

What if I don't know how to translate my field?

Use the international job title definition. "Vendedora" becomes "Sales assistant"; "operador de caixa" becomes "Cashier"; "recepcionista" becomes "Receptionist". Occupational dictionaries are enough for titles — the weight of the CV lies in what you did, not the word.

An English CV is the same CV, well translated: one page, clean text, real experience. If you want the full process in Portuguese first, the complete guide to making a CV in Mozambique has the 8 steps — then just adapt the language. And Inademy sends you new vacancies via WhatsApp and email.