How to Write a CV With No Experience

You have more to show than you think

Employers hiring for an entry-level role do not expect a long career. They look for evidence that you learn quickly and follow through. Coursework, personal or group projects, volunteering, part-time or seasonal work, clubs and competitions all count when you describe them with specifics.

Choose a format that puts your strengths first

When work history is short, lead with what is strongest. A common choice is a skills-focused layout:

• Header with your name, contact details, city and, if relevant, a link to a portfolio or profile.
• A two or three line summary stating the role you want and what you can offer.
• Education, including relevant modules, projects or results you are proud of.
• Projects and experience: school work, volunteering, internships or any paid work, however short.
• Skills and languages that relate to the job.

Describe what you did and what came of it

For each project or activity, say what the task was, what you personally did and the outcome. "Organised a charity collection with five other volunteers" or "built a small booking app for a course project" tells a reader far more than "team player".

Use numbers only when they are real, and never claim experience you do not have. Interviewers will ask about everything on the page.

What to leave out

Skip filler such as long lists of generic traits, an objective that could apply to any job, and details that are unrelated to the role. Keep it to one page and use a plain layout that is easy to read.

How rezme helps with a first CV

Enter your education, projects, volunteering and skills once. Paste the job description and rezme builds a CV around the parts of your profile that address that posting, which you can edit and export as PDF or Word. It works from the information you provide and is not meant to add jobs or skills you do not have.

Frequently asked questions