The keys to landing the right role

Recruiters often spend less than a minute on a first screening. Your CV must immediately show what you can do and what you have achieved.

1. 1.Tailor it to every listing

   Reuse the keywords from the advert (tools, skills, industry) in your headline and experience. A generic CV stands out immediately — for the wrong reasons.

2. 2.Lead with results, not tasks

   Instead of "Sales management", write "Grew the Douala branch's revenue by 30% in one year". Quantify wherever you can.

3. 3.Showcase skills, not only degrees

   Personal projects, freelance assignments, volunteering, online certifications: anything that proves concrete know-how belongs here, especially early in your career.

4. 4.Keep it readable

   One to two pages, a clean layout, clear sections, and a PDF named "First-Last-CV.pdf". Check your spelling and that your dates line up.

5. 5.Up-to-date contact details

   Give a reachable number (with country code), a professional email address, your city, and whether you are open to remote work or relocation.

Coding tests, case studies, Excel exercises or role-plays: they exist to verify your real skills. Good preparation often makes the difference.

1. 1.Find out the format

   Ask the recruiter about the duration, the tools allowed and the type of exercise. Then practise under similar conditions: same timing, same environment.

2. 2.Read the brief all the way through

   Restate the instructions, spot the constraints and ask your questions before starting. Many mistakes come from a misread brief.

3. 3.Ship a simple working solution first

   A complete, correct version beats an ambitious unfinished one. Improve it afterwards if you have time left.

4. 4.Explain your reasoning

   Comment on your choices, your assumptions and the limits of your solution. Recruiters assess how you think as much as the result.

5. 5.Prepare your setup

   For a remote test: stable connection, charged battery, quiet place and tools installed in advance. Have a backup plan (mobile hotspot).

Negotiating is not an affront: it is a normal step in hiring. Well prepared, it stays respectful and leads to a balanced agreement.

1. 1.Know your market value

   Research the salaries paid for your role, your experience level and your country. A remote role for a foreign company does not follow the same scales.

2. 2.Set a range and a floor

   Define a target figure and the threshold below which you will decline. Quote a range whose lower end matches your real objective.

3. 3.Talk value, not needs

   Base your request on your skills, your results and what you will bring to the role, rather than on your personal expenses.

4. 4.Negotiate the whole package

   If salary is fixed, discuss the rest: bonus, transport, health insurance, remote work, training, salary review date.

5. 5.Get everything confirmed in writing

   Gross or net salary, currency, frequency, benefits and start date: ask for a written offer before accepting.