What to Write When Sending Your CV on WhatsApp (South Africa)
In South Africa, a lot of jobs are applied for right here on WhatsApp. You see a job, you get the number, and you send your CV. Simple — except for one thing that stops many people: what do you actually write in the message?
Many job seekers make one of two mistakes. They either send the CV with no message at all (just the file), or they send something too short like "hi job?" — and the employer ignores it. The truth is, the few words you write when you send your CV can be the difference between getting a reply and being skipped.
This guide shows you exactly what to write, with simple examples you can copy and change. No fancy English needed — just clear, polite, and professional.
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The 3 things every WhatsApp job message needs
A good message is short. You only need three things:
- A polite greeting — "Good day" or "Hello"
- Who you are and what job you want — your name and the position
- That your CV is attached — so they know to open it
That's it. Keep it short, polite, and clear. Employers are busy — a short, neat message is easier to reply to than a long one.
What NOT to do
Before the examples, here are the mistakes that get people ignored:
- Don't send just the CV file with no message. It looks like you didn't make an effort. Always write a few words.
- Don't send "hi" and nothing else, then wait. Say why you're messaging in the first message.
- Don't use slang or be too casual. Skip "Howzit" and "Yoh." Keep it polite and simple.
- Don't write a whole essay. A few clear lines is better than a long paragraph.
- Don't send many messages in a row. Send your message once, then wait. Sending five messages looks desperate.
Simple WhatsApp message examples (copy and change these)
Here are messages you can copy. Just change the details to match you and the job.
Example 1 — for a job you saw advertised
Good day. My name is Thabo Mokoena. I saw your advert for a Cashier position and I would like to apply. I have attached my CV for your consideration. Thank you.
Example 2 — short and simple
Hello. My name is Thabo Mokoena. I am applying for the General Worker job. Please find my CV attached. Thank you for your time.
Example 3 — when someone referred you
Good day. My name is Thabo Mokoena. Sipho told me you are looking for a Packer. I am very interested and have attached my CV. Thank you.
Example 4 — when you're not sure if there's a job, but want to ask
Good day. My name is Thabo Mokoena. I am looking for work as a Shop Assistant in the Soweto area. If you have any openings, I have attached my CV. Thank you for your time.
Notice that all of them are short, polite, and say your name, the job, and that your CV is attached. That's all you need.
Send your CV as a PDF, named with your name
Two small things make you look professional:
- Send a PDF, not a photo of your CV. A PDF opens neatly on any phone. (If you made your CV on Send My CV, it's already a PDF.)
- Name the file with your own name — like Thabo_Mokoena_CV.pdf — not "CV final 2" or "Document1." When an employer has 50 CVs, yours is easy to find.
What to do after you send it
- Wait a few days. Employers are busy and may not reply straight away.
- If you hear nothing after about a week, you can follow up once — politely:
Good day. I'm just checking in about the Cashier position I applied for last week. I'm still very interested. Thank you.
- Then leave it. Don't send message after message. One polite follow-up is enough.
- Keep applying to other jobs. Never wait on just one. The more you send, the better your chances.
Make your free CV on WhatsApp
If you don't have a CV yet — or yours needs work — you can make a professional one for free, right here on WhatsApp, in just a few minutes. No sign-up, and you'll get a proper PDF named correctly and ready to send to employers today.
Frequently asked questions
What do I write when sending my CV on WhatsApp?
Keep it short: a greeting, your name, the job you want, and that your CV is attached. For example: "Good day, my name is [Name]. I'm applying for the [Job] position. Please find my CV attached. Thank you."
Should I send my CV as a PDF or a photo?
Always send a PDF if you can. It opens neatly on any phone and looks professional. A photo of your CV can be blurry or hard to read.
Is it okay to apply for a job on WhatsApp?
Yes — in South Africa many employers accept and even prefer WhatsApp applications. Just keep your message polite and professional, the same as you would an email.
What should I name my CV file?
Name it with your own name, like Thabo_Mokoena_CV.pdf. This makes it easy for the employer to find among many applications.
What if the employer doesn't reply?
Wait about a week, then send one polite follow-up. If you still hear nothing, move on and keep applying elsewhere. No reply doesn't mean you did anything wrong — keep going.
Ready to apply? Make your free CV on WhatsApp → and send it to employers today.