How To: Write Your First CV
So you’ve just left school or college, and you’re looking for your first job. How do you write a CV when you have next to no work experience? Follow our guidelines to improve your chances of getting noticed in the CV pile!
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What is a CV?
A CV (Curriculum Vitae) is a document to give to potential employers which explains your skills and personal qualities. It will list your achievements and any work experience you have.
A CV is your chance to promote yourself to an employer, and explain to them why you’re right for the job!
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How to write a CV
- Start off with your personal details – name, address, date of birth, and contact phone number and email address (make sure your email address is professional, rather than something silly!)
- Personal statement – this is a short blurb about you and why you want to work in the particular industry. Include any positive personal qualities you have, but stay away from clichés like ‘hard-working’ – everyone uses these! Include your ambitions and personal goals here too.
- Education – list your educational achievements, starting with the most recent first, and including the subject, dates studied and results
- Hobbies and Interests – Tell them what your favourite school subject was, any clubs or groups you’ve been in, any projects you were involved in and any trips or holidays you enjoyed. Include your interests and hobbies, but try to relate them to the job you’re applying for, even transferable skills (skills which apply to every job) such as teamwork or time management.
- Work experience – if you have any, include it here. Even a paper round, Saturday job or a voluntary position shows you’re employable! Include the name of the company, your role, dates you worked there and your duties or responsibilities.
- References – include the names and contact details of two adults who know you well and can vouch for you. Usually, one will be academic.
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Top Tips
- Use clean, white A4 paper
- Check spelling and grammar
- See our How To: Write a CV article for more tips
