Prof. George Magoha’s 91-page CV, submitted during his nomination for the Cabinet Secretary position in Education, has ignited public discussion about the purpose and appropriate length of professional resumes. The document draws comparisons to Prof. Makau Mutua’s 80-page CV during his 2012 application for the Chief Justice role, highlighting a growing trend of extensive academic and professional summaries.
Experts emphasize that a CV should function as a targeted marketing document, emphasizing skills, qualifications, and achievements directly relevant to the position. The average CV should span two to eight pages, focusing on competencies that align with the job requirements rather than exhaustive personal chronicles.
"The key aim of a CV is to inform the employer about the candidate’s potential," states an industry analysis. However, lengthy submissions often include irrelevant details such as travel logs, routine work activities, and excessive lists of seminars, which fail to demonstrate specific professional capabilities.
Recruiters note that over-length CVs risk appearing as autobiographical outlines rather than professional assessments. A concise format allows hiring managers to quickly identify relevant qualifications, while excessive detail may signal poor communication skills or an inability to prioritize information.
Despite these guidelines, some candidates persist in submitting multi-page documents, including more than three referee references or detailed accounts of non-core professional contributions. Such practices may raise doubts about the candidate’s ability to present information effectively during interviews.
