How to Write a CV With No Work Experience
No job history yet? You still have plenty to work with. Here is how to build a CV that gets noticed.
Free: grab our CV template and the weekly opportunities drop while you read.
Good news: employers hiring graduates do not expect a long job history. They want proof you can learn and deliver. You have that already.
What to put instead of jobs
- Academic projects and group work
- Volunteering and community work
- Tutoring, part-time, or holiday jobs
- Leadership in sports, societies, or church
Make it sound like experience
Describe each one as an action plus a result:
- Weak: "Did a group project."
- Strong: "Led a team of four to build an app in eight weeks, scored a distinction."
Same project. The second one shows initiative and delivery.
Lead with your strengths
With no work history, your education and projects are your best cards, so put them near the top. Then keep the format clean so the software reads you properly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I write a CV with no experience?+
Yes. Lead with your education, then use projects, volunteering, and part-time work as your experience.
What counts as experience?+
Academic projects, group work, tutoring, volunteering, society or sports leadership, and any part-time or holiday jobs.
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