We’ve already put together a few tips for writing a solid CV, but if you simply don’t have much formal work experience to your name (we all start somewhere) here are a few more pointers to help you write your first CV:
How to order it
To make up for your lack of job history, your CV needs to be skills-based rather than experience-based. This means highlighting key skills you’ve picked up in other scenarios which you can transfer to the workplace.
Common skills that are often asked for include:
- teamworking
- working to deadlines
- problem solving
- organisation
- attention to detail
Rather than your work experience being front and centre, look at the skills being asked for, and lead with examples where you’ve demonstrated these.
What to include
So how can you show you’ve worked as part of a team or to a deadline if you’ve not had a proper job before? Here are some alternative examples you can use:
- Academic performance: are there any subjects you’ve done really well in? Any standout exam results or pieces of coursework? Have you won any awards, such as for a project or perfect attendance?
- Academic roles: have you been Head Boy/Head Girl, a prefect, or mentor at school?
- Extracurricular activities: have you been part of any clubs, societies, or sports teams? Have you volunteered, helped in the local community, or done something for charity?
- Unpaid work experience: have you helped or shadowed a family member at their workplace, or taken part in work experience organised through your school?