How to Write a Resume as an OND Holder in Nigeria (2025 Guide)

Introduction

Finishing your Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Nigeria is a big step. Whether you studied Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, or Mass Communication, your OND certificate opens doors to internships, entry-level roles, or direct employment. But here’s the challenge: employers receive hundreds of applications for each job.

The difference between getting an interview and being ignored often comes down to your resume.

As an OND holder, you may feel your limited experience puts you at a disadvantage. But the truth is, recruiters don’t only look for long work histories—they look for clarity, potential, transferable skills, and professionalism. With the right structure, even an OND resume can shine.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Why OND holders need a unique resume approach.
• The right resume format for OND graduates.
• Step-by-step sections of your resume (with Nigerian examples).
• ATS-friendly tips for passing recruitment filters.
• Complete OND resume examples you can adapt.
• Why OND Holders Need a Tailored Resume

Unlike B.Sc or HND graduates, OND holders are often applying for:

• Entry-level jobs in banks, retail, telecoms, and manufacturing.
• Internships or industrial training placements.
• Graduate trainee or apprentice programs.

This means your resume must:

• Highlight your education (since it’s your biggest strength).
• Show transferable skills (IT, communication, teamwork).
• Emphasize internships, SIWES, or volunteer roles.
• Be ATS-friendly (clean format, keywords).

Recruiters in Nigeria don’t expect a long CV from OND holders. They expect a sharp, focused one-page resume that shows potential.

Step 1: Choose the Right Resume Format

There are three main resume formats:

1. Chronological (Reverse-Chronological)

Lists experience in order, newest first.

Good if you have internship or part-time work during OND.

2. Functional (Skills-Based)

Focuses on skills rather than work history.

Great for fresh OND graduates with little/no experience

3. Combination (Hybrid)

Mixes skills and work history.

Works if you have SIWES + volunteer + project experience.

Pro Tip: Most OND holders should use Functional or Combination format—because your skills and training matter more than years of work.

Step 2: Start With a Strong Header

Your header should contain:

• Full Name (bold, 14pt font).
• Phone number (+234 format).
• Email (professional, e.g., firstname.lastname@gmail.com).
• City, Nigeria (no need for full address).
• LinkedIn link (if available).

Example:

ADEBOLA TAIWO

Lagos, Nigeria | +234 810 123 4567 | adebola.taiwo@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/adebola

Step 3: Write a Resume Objective (Not a Summary)

As an OND holder, a resume objective is better than a summary. It highlights your education, skills, and career goals.

Examples:

“OND holder in Business Administration from YABATECH with SIWES experience at First Bank Plc. Skilled in customer service, Excel, and report writing. Seeking an entry-level role in administration or banking operations.”

“Recent OND graduate in Computer Science from Federal Polytechnic Nekede. Completed SIWES training in IT support at MTN Nigeria. Proficient in hardware troubleshooting, MS Office, and basic networking. Looking to contribute technical skills to an entry-level IT role.”

“OND holder in Mass Communication from MAPOLY with internship experience in digital marketing. Skilled in content writing, social media management, and Canva design. Seeking a trainee role in media, PR, or marketing.”

Step 4: Showcase Your Skills

Since you have limited work experience, your skills section is crucial. List both hard skills and soft skills.

Hard Skills (technical/role-specific):

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Digital Marketing (social media, SEO basics).
• Customer service & communication.
• Basic bookkeeping/accounting.
• AutoCAD/engineering software.

Soft Skills (personal qualities):

• Problem solving.
• Teamwork.
• Time management.
• Leadership (if you held any student roles).

Tip: Tailor skills to the job description—this improves ATS scoring.

Step 5: Education Section (Your Strength)

Here’s how to present your OND:

Example:

Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Business Administration

Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos — 2023

• Relevant Coursework: Principles of Accounting, Business Communication, Marketing Management
• Achievements: Graduated with Upper Credit, President—Business Students’ Association

Pro Tip: If you had excellent grades (Upper Credit or Distinction), include it. Employers value that.

Step 6: Add SIWES, Internships, and Volunteer Experience

Even if you’ve never worked full-time, you have experience from SIWES, IT, or volunteer roles. List them like normal jobs.

Example:

SIWES Intern — First Bank Plc, Lagos

June 2022 – Dec 2022

Assisted in daily customer service operations, attending to 40+ customers daily.

Prepared account opening documentation and reports with 100% accuracy.

Gained hands-on experience in Microsoft Excel and banking processes.

Volunteer — NYSC CDS Group (During OND Industrial Training Break)

2021 – 2022

Coordinated community clean-up exercises with 20+ volunteers.

Organized record-keeping for donation tracking using Excel.

Step 7: Projects and Coursework

As an OND holder, academic projects can prove skills.

Example:

Final Year Project — Business Administration

“Impact of Digital Banking on Customer Retention in Nigeria”

Conducted surveys with 120 respondents.

Analyzed data with SPSS, producing a 45-page report

Presented findings to panel, scoring ‘A’.

Step 8: Certifications (Boost Your Profile)

Employers respect short professional certifications. You can get many online for free/low cost. Examples:

• Google Digital Skills for Africa (Digital Marketing).
• Microsoft Office Specialist (Excel).
• HSE 1,2,3 (Health & Safety).
• Customer Service Training (Allison, Coursera, Udemy).
• Listing these helps you compete with HND/B.Sc holders.

Step 9: Format for ATS

To pass Applicant Tracking Systems:

• Use standard section headings: “Education,” “Skills,” “Experience.”
• Avoid images, tables, or columns.
• Save as PDF (for email) and Word (.docx) (for portals).
• Use keywords directly from job descriptions (e.g., “customer service,” “data entry,” “inventory management”).

Step 10: Resume Example (OND Business Admin Graduate)

ADEBOLA TAIWO | Lagos, Nigeria | +234 810 123 4567 | adebola.taiwo@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/adebola

OBJECTIVE

OND holder in Business Administration (YABATECH, Upper Credit). Completed SIWES at First Bank Plc in customer service operations. Skilled in Microsoft Excel, customer support, and report writing. Seeking entry-level role in administration or banking.

SKILLS

Hard: MS Office Suite, Bookkeeping, Report Writing

Soft: Communication, Teamwork, Time Management

EDUCATION

OND, Business Administration, YABATECH — 2023 (Upper Credit)

EXPERIENCE

SIWES Intern — First Bank Plc, Lagos | Jun 2022 – Dec 2022

- Assisted 40+ daily customer service cases.

- Prepared account opening reports with 100% accuracy.

- Trained in Microsoft Excel and banking software.

PROJECTS

Final Year Project: “Impact of Digital Banking on Customer Retention in Nigeria”

- Surveyed 120 respondents.

- Analyzed data with SPSS, earned an A grade.

CERTIFICATIONS

Google Digital Skills for Africa (Digital Marketing), 2023

Microsoft Excel for Beginners — Coursera, 2022

Step 11: Common Mistakes OND Holders Make on Resumes

• Making it too long (keep it 1 page, max 2).
• Adding irrelevant details like primary/secondary school.
• Using unprofessional emails (cutegirl23@yahoo.com).
• Copy-pasting duties instead of achievements.
• Forgetting to proofread (typos = rejection).

Step 12: Final Proofreading Tips

See: Proofreading Tips That Will Improve Your Resume.

Checklist:

• Contact info accurate.
• Dates aligned.
• No spelling errors.
• Consistent fonts & spacing.
• File name: FirstName_LastName_ONDResume.pdf.

FAQs

Q1: Should OND holders include secondary school education?

No, unless it’s your only education. Focus on OND.

Q2: Can an OND holder get a job in Nigeria without experience?

Yes. Highlight SIWES, volunteer work, projects, and certifications.

Q3: How long should my resume be?

One page is ideal. Two pages only if you have SIWES + multiple internships.

Q4: Can OND holders apply for multinational roles?

Yes—especially in customer service, IT support, and admin. Just make your resume ATS-friendly.

Q5: Should I use “Curriculum Vitae” or “Resume”?

Both are acceptable in Nigeria, but “Resume” is becoming standard for professional roles.

Conclusion

Being an OND holder in Nigeria doesn’t limit your opportunities. With the right resume structure—focused on education, skills, SIWES, and achievements—you can compete strongly for entry-level jobs and internships.

Remember:

Keep it concise (1 page).

Use an objective statement.

Highlight SIWES and certifications.

Make it ATS-friendly.

Your OND is your foundation—your resume is how you sell it.