If you have not held a formal job, build your CV around your education, projects, volunteering, internships and practical skills. Explain what you did and how it relates to the role you want.
Start With a Clear Profile
Begin with a short professional profile explaining your area of study, key strengths and the type of opportunity you are seeking. Avoid vague statements such as “I am hardworking and passionate” unless you support them with specific skills or experience.
Put Education in a Prominent Position
If you are a student or recent graduate, education can be one of the strongest sections of your CV. Include your qualification, institution, relevant subjects and completion or expected completion date. Add academic projects when they demonstrate skills relevant to the role.
Use Projects as Evidence
Personal, academic or community projects can demonstrate practical ability. Explain what you worked on, your role, the tools you used and the result. For example, a student applying for a communications role could include a campus campaign, digital publication or multimedia project.
Include Volunteering and Leadership
Volunteer work, student leadership, community activities and event organisation can demonstrate communication, teamwork, planning and responsibility. Focus on what you actually did rather than simply listing an organisation’s name.
List Relevant Skills
Choose skills that match the opportunity and that you can demonstrate. These may include Microsoft Office, data analysis, graphic design, customer service, research, writing, programming, social media or other technical competencies.
Keep It Accurate
Never invent employment, qualifications or achievements to make a CV look stronger. Employers may verify information. Include only qualifications and achievements you can explain and verify.
Final CV Checklist
- Use a clear professional email address.
- Check spelling, dates and contact details.
- Tailor relevant sections to each opportunity.
- Use concise bullet points for experience and projects.
- Save the final document in the format requested by the employer.
- Read the vacancy instructions before submitting.
What to Put on a CV When You Have No Experience
Many entry-level applicants think a CV must be built around employment history. In practice, recruiters can also learn from academic assignments, practical projects, volunteering, student leadership, freelance work and relevant training. Choose examples that show skills connected to the position.
Example of a Strong Entry-Level CV Structure
A simple structure can include your contact details, professional profile, education, relevant projects or experience, skills, certifications and additional activities. Keep the strongest and most relevant information near the top. Leave out sections that do not help the employer assess your suitability.
How Long Should an Entry-Level CV Be?
There is no universal page requirement for every employer. For a student or recent graduate with limited experience, a concise CV that clearly presents relevant information is usually easier to review than a document filled with unrelated details. Follow any instructions in the vacancy carefully.
Final Review Before Sending
Read the CV as if you were the recruiter. Can you identify your qualification, strongest skills and relevant evidence quickly? Check names, dates, phone numbers, email addresses and document formatting before submission.