You’ve been hustling, taking any job to make ends meet. Now you’re updating your CV and staring at that two-month data entry gig from, wondering, “Should I even include this?” It’s a common dilemma for many Kenyan job seekers.
This isn’t just theory; we’re talking real, practical advice for the Kenyan job market. Let’s break down the pros and cons so you can make a smart choice for your next application.
When to Leave Those Short-Term Jobs Off Your CV
If a job lasted less than a month and has zero connection to the role you want, leaving it off is often the smart move. It prevents unnecessary questions and keeps your CV focused on relevant skills. This is especially true if you have stronger, related experience to highlight instead.
The “Gap Filler” Rule for Kenyan Job Markets
In a competitive market like Nairobi or Mombasa, a long, unexplained gap can raise more red flags than a short, unrelated stint. If that two-week sales job at Naivas or a holiday gig at a Diani beach hotel fills a three-month gap, include it briefly. It shows you were actively working, not just waiting.
Spin It Into a Strength with Transferable Skills
Even unrelated jobs teach universal skills. Did that temporary admin role at a local clinic in Nakuru improve your customer service? Did a short contract with a Safaricom vendor build your resilience? Frame these experiences to show adaptability, a quality highly valued by employers from tech firms in Westlands to agribusinesses in Eldoret.
How to Strategically Include Short-Term Roles for Maximum Impact
When you decide to include an unrelated job, don’t just list it. Be strategic. Group several short-term roles under one heading like “Freelance & Contract Positions” or “Diverse Professional Experience” to avoid a cluttered look. This shows a pattern of initiative rather than a series of random stops.
Here is a smart way to structure it on your CV:
- Job Title: Freelance Projects / Contract Roles
- Period: (e.g., During the 2023 long rains period)
- Key Achievements: Briefly list 2-3 transferable skills gained across different roles, such as “Managed client inquiries for a retail kiosk in Thika” and “Coordinated logistics for a short-term event in Nairobi.”
A key Kenyan insight: Many HR managers here understand the hustle. They respect the “hustle mentality” of taking on various jobs. Mentioning a short-term role with a recognizable local brand, like a distribution gig for Brookside or a survey for a popular matatu SACCO, can actually work in your favour by showing you understand different facets of the local economy.
Cost and Availability in Kenya
Getting professional CV help to navigate these tricky decisions is very accessible in Kenya. The main cost is your time, but if you need expert input, prices vary. Many services are available online, making them accessible from anywhere, from Nairobi to Kisumu.
| Option | Cost (KES) | Where to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| DIY (Free Online Guides) | 0 | Websites like BrighterMonday Kenya or Career Point Kenya offer free articles and templates. |
| Basic CV Review | 500 – 2,000 | Freelancers on platforms like Fiverr or local consultants in town. Prices are often lower upcountry. |
| Full CV Rewrite & Career Coaching | 2,500 – 10,000+ | Established career coaches in Nairobi (Westlands, Kilimani) or reputable online services. Includes strategy for presenting all your experience. |
For a purely DIY approach, cyber cafes charge around KES 50-100 per hour for computer use and printing. A quality printout on good paper at a professional printer in major towns will cost roughly KES 100-200 per copy.
Mistakes to Avoid
Listing Every Single Hustle in Detail
Don’t create a long, cluttered list where your one-month M-Pesa agent job gets the same space as your two-year relevant role. It drowns your key skills. Instead, group very short, unrelated roles under one line or omit them if they add no value.
Leaving Unexplained Gaps
Removing all short-term work can leave glaring, suspicious gaps in your timeline. A Kenyan HR manager might assume you were idle. Use a short-term role to cover a gap, even if you just mention the period and the core skill learned.
Failing to “Translate” the Experience
Just writing “Shop Attendant at a local duka” is a missed opportunity. You must translate it: “Developed customer service and cash handling skills in a fast-paced retail environment.” This frames the hustle as professional development.
Inconsistent Dates or Over-Inflating Titles
Don’t extend a two-week contract to three months or call yourself a “Manager” when you were a temporary helper. Background checks are common, especially with larger companies in Nairobi. Honesty is always the best policy.
The Bottom Line
In the Kenyan job market, your CV is your story. Short-term, unrelated jobs aren’t automatically bad; it’s how you frame them. The key is to be strategic—use them to demonstrate hustle, fill gaps, and highlight transferable skills that any employer would value.
Before you send out your next application, review your CV with fresh eyes. Ask yourself if every entry, including those short stints, is working hard to sell your most relevant strengths to your dream employer.
Frequently Asked Questions: Best cv tips should you include short term unrelated jobs on your cv in Kenya
Should I include a one-month job I did just after campus?
It depends. If it’s your only work experience, include it to avoid a blank CV. However, focus on the skills you gained, like time management or teamwork, rather than just the job title.
This shows employers you were proactive during that transition period, which is viewed positively in the Kenyan job market.
What if the short-term job was in a completely different field, like farming?
Yes, you can include it. Kenyan employers value diverse experience. Frame it to highlight transferable skills such as resilience, working under pressure, or logistical planning.
For example, managing a small harvest during the short rains demonstrates responsibility and an of seasonal workflows, which are applicable in many roles.
How do I explain these jobs in an interview without sounding unfocused?
Prepare a honest, positive narrative. Say you took the opportunities to gain practical experience and contribute while seeking your long-term career path.
Emphasize what you learned about the working world and how it solidified your interest in your current chosen field. Keep it brief and confident.
Is it worth paying someone to help me rewrite my CV with these jobs?
If you have many disparate roles and are struggling to connect them, a professional can be a good investment. Basic reviews start from around KES 1,000.
For a DIY approach first, use free templates from sites like BrighterMonday to reorganize the information yourself before considering paid help.
What’s the biggest mistake Kenyans make with short-term jobs on a CV?
The biggest mistake is listing every single hustle with equal detail, which buries your relevant experience. This makes your CV look cluttered and unfocused.
Instead, be selective. Group similar short roles together under one heading like “Various Contract Roles” to present a cleaner, more strategic professional story.
