CV content: photo, ID, birthplace and references

The CV should contain only the essentials: contact details, professional profile, experience, education, and relevant skills. Photo and place of birth are optional or unnecessary; the ID number (BI) should never be on the CV. References: optional — if you include them, maximum 2-3 and always with prior permission.

In the Inademy Guide, we help Mozambican candidates build professional applications, protecting their privacy and highlighting their experience and skills.

📥 Ready-made template: Download the CV with experience (.docx) and replace the fields in square brackets.

The short answer

If you have little time to review your document, here is the essential summary of what you should include and what you can omit in your CV:

• Essential data to always include: Full name, updated phone number, professional email address, location (city and province), professional summary, work experience, education, and technical skills.
• Optional elements: Professional photograph (only if required in the job ad), list of work references, and link to LinkedIn profile.
• What you should always omit: Identity Card (BI) number, NUIT (Tax ID), copies of personal documents, marital status, religion, political affiliation, and salary expectations.

The core of the CV: what must always be present

Your curriculum vitae has a single function: to demonstrate to the recruiter that you have the necessary qualifications to perform the advertised role. To achieve this objective, the document needs a clear and organized structure. If you want to detail the overall structure of your document, you can consult our complete guide to CVs in Mozambique.

There are four mandatory sections that form the core of any successful application:

1. Contact details

Your contact details should appear at the top of the document. Include only your first and last name (or full name), active phone number (preferably associated with WhatsApp), professional email (avoid informal addresses like zito123@hotmail.com), and your city or province of residence.

The phone number is your most important channel: the country has around 19.1 million mobile connections (53.1% of the population), but only 7.1 million internet users (19.8% penetration) — and many people have more than one SIM card. Email is worth including, but it cannot be your only point of contact.

2. Professional profile or summary

A short 3 to 4 line paragraph at the beginning of the CV. It summarizes who you are, your field of expertise, your main qualifications, and your professional objective in the company.

3. Professional experience

List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order (from most recent to oldest). For each position, indicate the company name, job title, start and end dates, and a list of 3 to 5 key achievements or responsibilities.

4. Education and skills

Mention your highest academic degree, the name of the educational institution, and the year of completion. Add a skills section for technical skills (software, languages, tools) and interpersonal skills relevant to the role. To avoid serious mistakes at this stage, check the errors that disqualify a CV before submitting your application.

Photo on the CV: yes or no?

Including a photo on a curriculum vitae often raises doubts among professionals in Mozambique. The general rule is simple: a photo on the CV is optional and is not required by Mozambican labor legislation.

Mozambican law does not require attaching a photo to a job application. Except in cases where the job vacancy explicitly requests a photo (as happens in some ads for customer service positions), you can omit the photograph from your CV without any prejudice to your evaluation.

If you choose to include a photo or if the job requires it, strictly follow these recommendations:

• Professional photo: Use an image with a neutral background (white or gray), with good lighting, wearing formal or business attire.
• Visible face: Keep the image focused from the waist up or just shoulders and head, with your face clearly visible.
• What to strictly avoid: Beach photos, party photos, selfies, cropped images showing other people, wearing sunglasses, caps, or social media filters.

Remember that many recruiters use digital screening tools. If you want to prepare your document for automated reading, read the article on CVs for applicant tracking systems (ATS) to ensure your file format does not block the selection process.

ID (BI) and document numbers: when to submit

One of the most serious and frequent mistakes made by candidates in Mozambique is including their Identity Card (BI) number, NUIT (Tax ID), passport number, or attaching copies of personal documents directly to the CV.

Your ID card (BI) and personal identification details should never appear on your curriculum vitae nor be sent in the initial application stage. Submitting personal documentation is not required at the preliminary application phase. Provide copies only if the job ad formally requests them or after you are selected, when the contract is formalized.

This practice is supported by the Mozambican legal framework regarding personal data protection:

• Law No. 13/2023 (Labor Law), Art. 8 (Personal data protection): Paragraph 2 establishes that the collection and processing of personal data of job applicants or employees is regulated by specific legislation.
• Verbatim citation of Art. 8, Paragraph 3 of Law No. 13/2023:

  «The personal data of the employee, obtained by the employer under confidentiality, as well as any information whose disclosure violates their privacy, may not be provided to third parties without their express consent, unless legal reasons so dictate.»

  (Source: Law No. 13/2023, published in the Boletim da República on August 25, 2023).
• Law No. 3/2017 of January 9 (Electronic Transactions Law), Art. 63: Determines that the processing of personal electronic data must be accurate, complete, and updated, ensuring confidentiality. The processor must inform the data subject when collecting data and adopt security measures against unauthorized access. (Source: INTIC, intic.gov.mz).

By placing your BI (ID) or NUIT (Tax ID) number on a CV distributed via email or published online, you unnecessarily expose yourself to risks of fraud and identity theft. Recruiters only need to evaluate your technical competency during the selection phase.

Place of birth, age, and marital status: what the law says and what to do

Many old CV templates in Mozambique include extensive headers with place of birth, parentage, marital status, age, and religion. Including these personal details on your CV is unnecessary and can lead to unconscious bias during the selection process.

Information about where you were born (place of birth), your marital status, or your date of birth does not determine your professional capacity to hold a position in management, accounting, engineering, or customer service.

The Mozambican legal framework imposes limits on the processing of your personal data in the workplace context:

• Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique, Art. 71, Paragraph 2: Expressly prohibits the use of IT means to register and process individually identifiable data on political convictions, religious beliefs, and party affiliations. (Source: INTIC).
• Law No. 13/2023, Art. 8: Reinforces the right to privacy and confidentiality of job seekers' personal data.

Unless a specific vacancy requires an age requirement by legal provision, omit place of birth, age, and marital status. Focus the recruiter's attention on your experience and qualifications.

References: how to provide and request them

Professional references serve to validate your work ethic, attitude, and past performance through the testimony of former supervisors or professors.

It is not mandatory to list reference contact details directly on your CV. You can include the phrase "References available upon request" at the end of the document. If you choose to list references on your CV, follow best practices:

• Recommended quantity: Include 2 to 3 references at most.
• Information to provide: Full name of the reference, current position, company where they work, work phone number, and corporate email.
• Whom to use as a reference: Former direct managers, project managers, department directors, or university professors (for recent graduates).
• Whom NEVER to use: Family members, personal friends, junior co-workers, or people you have not worked with directly.

The golden rule of references: Ask for prior permission from each person before placing their name and contact details on your CV. Inform your reference about the positions you are applying for so they are not caught off guard by a call from a recruiter.

Practical example: CV for a 25-year-old with no experience

For those taking their first steps into the job market, knowing what to write can feel like a challenge. You can check the article on first jobs for detailed tips on transitioning into the labor market.

Let's look at a practical structure example for a 25-year-old recent graduate with no formal work experience:

Example header and professional summary:

Nelinha Moiane
Maputo City, Mozambique | +258 84 000 0000 | nelinha.moiane@exemplo.com
LinkedIn profile (optional)

Professional Summary
Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Auditing from Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, with strong analytical background, advanced Excel skills, and knowledge of Primavera BSS. Practical experience gained supporting financial management in the university student association. Seeking an opportunity as an Accounting Assistant to apply technical accuracy and bank reconciliation skills.

What to put in the experience section when you don't have formal employment:

• Curricular or voluntary internships.
• Relevant academic work or research projects.
• Participation in student associations, NGOs, or community projects.
• Freelance services or support to family businesses.

What to omit in this example:
Omit identity card (BI) number, place of birth, marital status, and photo (unless expressly requested by the job ad). If you need editable formats to fill out, use the ready-to-use CV templates available on our portal.

What NOT to put on your CV (list)

To ensure your CV maintains a clean and professional presentation, immediately eliminate the following elements:

• Document copies: Never attach images of your ID (BI), NUIT (Tax ID), driver's license, or certificates in the same CV file unless formally requested in the job ad.
• Identification numbers: BI (ID) number, NUIT (Tax ID), passport, or bank account number.
• Sensitive personal data: Religious affiliation, political conviction, sexual orientation, or health status.
• Salary expectations: Desired salary should be discussed in person during the interview and not written on the CV.
• Inappropriate photos: Informal photos, selfies, or pictures without professional attire.
• Unauthorized references: Names and contact details of people who do not know they were listed as your references.
• False or exaggerated information: Lying about qualifications or language proficiency disqualifies your application during background checks.
• Spelling errors: Grammar and typing mistakes demonstrate a lack of attention to detail.

When preparing your complete application, remember that your CV should be accompanied by a well-structured and written application letter.

How Inademy helps you

The Inademy platform was developed to simplify job hunting in Mozambique, offering a transparent and secure process for candidates.

On Inademy, you can create your free professional profile in just a few minutes. The platform allows you to submit your application simply and accepts your CV in PDF format without bureaucratic hassles.

You can also activate personalized job alerts to receive notifications of new work opportunities via email and WhatsApp, so you don't miss out on vacancies in your sector. If you want to see the opportunities available in the Mozambican market, you can view open vacancies on Inademy and apply today.

Read also

• How to Create a CV on Your Mobile Phone in Mozambique (Step by Step)
• CV Without Photo Mozambique: When to Include Your Picture

Where these numbers come from

The guidance and legal data presented are based on official sources and verified statistics about the Mozambican market:

• Law No. 13/2023 (Labor Law): Article 8 (paragraphs 2 and 3) on personal data protection and employers' duty of confidentiality (Published in the Boletim da República).
• Law No. 3/2017 of January 9 (Electronic Transactions Law): Article 63 concerning protection, confidentiality, and secure processing of personal electronic data (Source: INTIC - Instituto Nacional de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação, intic.gov.mz).
• Constitution of the Republic of Mozambique: Article 71, paragraph 2, legal prohibitions on computer registration regarding political and religious convictions (Source: INTIC).
• Digital Connectivity Data in Mozambique (DataReportal Digital 2026): Mozambique records around 19.1 million mobile connections (corresponding to 53.1% of the total population) and 7.1 million internet users (a penetration rate of 19.8%). Note that the number of mobile connections differs from the number of individuals, as many users hold multiple SIM cards.
• Practical context: Mozambican legislation does not require the inclusion of a photograph or copies of ID (BI) on the CV at any preliminary application stage.

Frequently asked questions

Should I include a photo on my CV?

It is not mandatory. In Mozambique, including a photo on your CV is optional. Only include one if the job opening explicitly requests a photo — as occurs in some ads for customer service positions. When including it, ensure it is a formal image with a neutral background.

Should I include my ID (BI) number on my CV?

You should never send copies of your ID or write your ID (BI) number on your CV during the application phase. Your identification documents serve only to formalize hiring after you are selected; Mozambican law does not require them in the preliminary phase.

What does place of birth (naturalidade) mean on a CV?

Place of birth refers to the city, district, or province where you were born. This information is not necessary on a curriculum vitae, as it does not measure your technical competence. You can omit it to keep the document focused on your professional experience.

Can I use family members as references?

No. You should never include family members or personal friends on your reference list. Recruiters look for impartial feedback from former supervisors, directors, or professors who know your work ethic and technical skills.

Which personal details should you omit from your CV?

Among personal details, include only contact details (name, phone, email, and city of residence); the required sections for summary, experience, and education remain on the CV. What should never be listed are: ID (BI), NUIT (Tax ID), passport, place of birth, age, marital status, religion, party affiliation, full address, or salary expectations.

Should I include references on my CV, and how many?

If you decide to include references on your CV, list a maximum of 2 to 3 people. Make sure to ask for prior permission from each person and provide their name, position, company, contact phone number, and corporate email.

In summary, what to do today

To ensure your CV is ready to send, apply the following verification steps:

1. Remove sensitive data: Delete your ID (BI) number, NUIT (Tax ID), marital status, place of birth, and informal photos from your document.
2. Update your contacts: Confirm that your phone number and email are correct and accessible at the top of the CV.
3. Review experience and skills: Highlight your most recent results and align your qualifications with job ad requirements.
4. Save as PDF: Export your document in PDF format to ensure the formatting does not change when the recruiter opens it on a mobile phone or computer.

With these steps applied, your CV is ready to send to vacancies matching your profile.

Official source: Law No. 13/2023 (Labour Law) is available as a PDF on the website of Mozambique's Supreme Court (Tribunal Supremo): official text (PDF).