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How to write a school leaver CV (with template & example)

8 min read · Updated on August 15, 2024

Thinking about stepping into the world of work?

As a student or school leaver, you're probably wondering how to write an impressive CV that will help you onto the career ladder. Don't fret – even if you have no previous work experience, you can write a CV that showcases your skill set. Read on to find out how to write a school leaver CV, what to include and exclude, along with a template and example to use as inspiration.

What is a school leaver CV?

A school leaver CV is a document that provides a brief account of your education, qualifications, and employment or volunteer experience. Whether you've completed year 11 with GCSEs, or college with a BTEC, GNVQ, A Levels, or Highers and Advanced Highers, you need a CV.

As a current student or recent school leaver, you may have limited professional experience. However, qualifications, skills, and voluntary work can be used on your CV to demonstrate your competencies when applying for your first job, apprenticeship, or internship.

What to include in a school leaver CV

The format of a CV is flexible. After all, every person and their experiences are unique, so the document structure must be malleable. However, there are essential elements to include in your CV that prospective employers expect to see and that you can leverage as a school leaver. They include:

Contact information (or CV header )

Personal statement

Competencies and skills

Work and voluntary experience

Hobbies and interests

How to write each section of your school leaver CV

Ready to put pen to paper? To help increase your chances of success in securing your first job, follow these steps to create your school leaver CV:

1. Contact information

Every CV starts with your contact information, not the title “CV” or “Curriculum Vitae.” The information to include is your full name, location, phone number, and email address. If you have a link to your LinkedIn profile , a website or a professional online portfolio , you can add that too.

2. Personal statement

Next on your CV is a personal statement, which is also known as a professional summary or personal statement. Note that this is not the same as a personal statement written as part of a university application. 

Your personal profile is a short paragraph consisting of two or three sentences summarising who you are, your relevant qualifications or experience, and your job goals. For example, as a school leaver, you may write that you have recently completed school and are looking to take your first steps in a particular industry.

3. Competencies and skills

Following your personal statement is a section designed to highlight your most relevant competencies, skills, and achievements. 

Use bullet points to list between six and nine of your most impressive abilities and achievements that are relevant to the role you're applying for. They could be hard skills from particular classes, such as IT, or soft skills you have cultivated throughout your education.

Top tip: Tailoring this CV section to each position, as it's often the first thing a hiring manager reads. If your points align with the role requirements and the potential employer's needs, you'll create a powerful first impression.

4. Education

Since you're a school leaver, your education is very important and is likely to be a stronger representation of your skill set than your work experience. This is especially true if you're applying for your first job. As a result, it should be the next section on your CV. Here's a quick breakdown of how you can optimise this section: 

Use reverse chronological order: Detail your educational history from GCSE level onwards, working in reverse chronological order . For each institution, include the school name and bullet point the name of the qualifications you gained there, along with the grade. If you're awaiting results, you can add predicted grades and the expected date of completion. 

Prioritise your highest qualifications: If you're attending college, summarise your GCSEs in one line as your college-level qualification is more advanced and therefore a more accurate representation of your current competency level. However, we would recommend mentioning Maths and English GCSE grades as they're often a prerequisite for many jobs. For example, “9 GCSEs including grade 6 in English and Maths.” 

Add awards and memberships: If you've received academic awards, were a member of any clubs, or took part in extracurricular activities, you may choose to list them in this section too. Alternatively, you can list them in a dedicated awards section or your hobbies and interests section.

5. Work and volunteer experience

If you have some work or volunteer experience, no matter how brief, it could be a great addition to your CV. However, if you don't, you can skip this section.

Listing relevant work experience is very similar to your education section, whereby each experience is listed in reverse chronological order, detailing the company name, your job title, employment dates, a brief overview of your role to add context, and a bullet-point list of key achievements.

To ensure that your listed experience strikes a chord with the prospective employer, review the job description and identify key requirements and phrases that align with your own experience and be sure to reference them. 

6. Relevant hobbies and interests

Include this section especially if you're writing a CV for a school leaver with no experience. While a hobbies and interests section is optional when writing a CV for a school leaver, it can be used to leverage your candidacy and show off your personality.

Hobbies and interests that relate to key requirements listed in the job description and showcase your work ethic would be a good addition to your school-leaver CV. For example, playing football would suggest you possess motivation and teamwork abilities and can work under pressure.

If you're not sure whether you should add a hobby or interest, always ask yourself, “Will adding this help me to get the job?” If the answer is no, it's okay to leave it out.

How to format a school leaver CV

By this point, you should feel ready to write your CV. Here are a few formatting tips and tricks and general guidelines when writing a school leaver CV:

Headings: Use clear headings for each section of your CV to make the document easily digestible.

Font type: Contemporary, simple font types are better as they create a modern and clean read.

Font size: Keep body text between 10 and 12 point font and headings between 14 and 18.

Length: Your CV should be two pages maximum . As a school leaver, it could easily be one page.

Spacing: Standard 1.15 spacing is your best option on a CV.

Margins: 2.5cm margins are standard, but you can decrease them to 1.5cm if you want to fit your CV nearly onto one or two pages.

File type: The best CV file type is a Word document, as it will maintain formatting and an ATS will be able to read it accurately. 

Bonus: what not to include on a school leaver CV

There are a few details that you don't need to list on a school leaver CV. They include:

Referees: You don't  need to add the line “references available upon request” at the end of your CV, as asking for references is standard recruitment practice and employers know you will have them available.

Headshot: You do not need to add a photo of yourself to your CV. While commonplace in other countries, it is not a requirement in the UK due to anti-discrimination legislation.

Protected characteristics: You do not need to include sensitive information, such as age, race, religion or belief, marital status, sexual orientation, sex or gender reassignment, or disabilities as they are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 .

CV template for a school leaver or student

School leaver CV example

To help guide you, here's an example CV for a school leaver in the UK:

Ready to craft your CV?

Writing an interview-winning school leaver CV can be daunting, but it's definitely achievable. If you lack the professional experience, remember to lead with your hobbies and interests while weaving in the appropriate skills throughout your CV. Follow our step-by-step guide and use the provided template and example to guide you along the way.

To save you any doubts, submit your CV for a free review and our experts will tell you if you're on the right track to job search success.

This article was originally written by Laura Slingo and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.

Recommended reading:

How to write a CV for a 16-year-old (with examples)

How to write a CV for a job with no experience

How to write a personal statement for a CV

Related Articles:

Writing a Europass CV: how it differs from a standard CV

Understanding OTE: meaning, types & salary examples

Character reference: example, template & writing tips

See how your CV stacks up.

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School leaver CV example

As a school leaver you might not have much in the way of work experience but it's important not to sell yourself short when applying for a job. Take a look at our example school leaver CV to find out how to present yourself in the best light

Ellie Johnson 15 That Street, Thistown, XY99 9XP [email protected] 07777 888999

I'm planning a business degree, either part-time through an apprenticeship or on a full-time course. My aim is to go into finance. An online business summer school showed me what a vast and varied world this is. During my work experience, I saw how different jobs fit together in a finance department and how a company plans its finances and runs its business systems in the short, medium and long term. My part-time job at Big Stores gives me practical experience in a small branch of a large organisation.

Education and Qualifications

Thistown Central Academy - A-levels (2022)

Business A, Maths B, Computer Science B

GCSEs - Grades 9-4 (2020)

English  Language, French, Spanish, PE, Art and Design, Computer Science, History, Maths, Combined Science                 

Employment and Work Experience

Big Stores Minimart (2021 - present)

Starting as a shelf stacker I progressed to till operator and am now a team leader. I contribute to:

• Staff shift pattern, including early mornings and lates, making sure all areas are covered
• Security of premises, sometimes unlocking and locking up, including cash handling
• Customer service, including complaints and returns
• Monitoring sell-by dates and minimising waste, reordering and stock control.

Thistown College Business and Finance Summer School (July 2022)

Five-day online programme covering:

• Business models, economic theory and concepts, marketing and business strategy
• Seminars with business leaders
• Group work presentation on a business case study.

Thistown Engineering Ltd, Finance Department (July 2021)

Two weeks work experience in the finance department of a local SME:

• Helping with the migration of financial information across IT systems, using my IT skills
• Spending a day in different areas of the department, including shadowing the finance director.

Year 13 Charity Rep on School Council (2021-2022)

Working with reps from other year groups to organise the school’s charity fundraising. I was involved in:

• Getting suggestions from my year group about charities to support and which events to run
• Planning events and organising volunteers to help
• Being responsible for cash during events
• Reporting back to the Head after each event (what we learned, how would we do it next time).

References available on request

Please be aware that this is an example. Use it as a template to help generate ideas and structure your own CV but avoid copying and pasting. Your own CV needs to be original and tailored to the job you're applying for.

As a school leaver you might not have a lot of experience to flesh out your CV with, but employers don't expect someone who's just left school to have a massive amount of experience so don't worry about the length of your CV. Most CVs are two pages long but as a recent school leaver yours might only be one. As you gain experience, you'll be able to add to it.

Your personal profile should sit at the top of the page. Use it to summarise your 'best bits' - and tailor it for each application. It can be easier to write this after you've set out the other information so if you're struggling come back to this last.

As always, presentation is important so don't leave a couple of lines trailing onto another page. You can adjust the spacing, font size, margins etc depending on whether you have a lot to squeeze in, or less to say, which might need spacing out to fill the page.

Make sure every word counts and that all the relevant information is there. If you don't include it, no-one will know about it. However, it's just as important to consider what to leave out. Ask yourself 'Will this help me get a job?'   Include relevant hobbies, for example, caring for a family member on a nursing application or DIY projects for a construction apprenticeship. Socialising with friends is best left off. We all enjoy that, but it's unlikely to get you a job.

It's important to try and show what you've gained from your experiences, rather than just listing what you did - remember to relate the skills and knowledge you've gained to the job you're applying for.

Find out more

• View all example CVs .
• Discover  how to write a CV .
• Learn how to avoid the  top 7 CV mistakes .
• Take a look at how to write a personal statement for your CV .

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CV examples

School Leaver CV

Isabella has selected the Wheaton CV template to showcase her relevant experience for her first full-time job after school. Its simple, one-page format displays work experience, skills and additional experience in a easy-to-read manner.

"Seeking opportunities to gain valuable work experience and eager to expand skills. Committed to exceptional service as well as able to effectively contribute to team-orientated organisations."

Table of contents

How to Write a Successful School Leaver CV in 2024

Leaving school in the UK and entering the job market can be a challenge. You may have already put considerable effort into job applications with little or no response. If this is the case, knowing how to write a good CV, with limited qualifications or experience, can turn a job application into a job interview.

If you're applying for your first job, looking for school leaver apprenticeships , traineeships, or still figuring out your next steps after 6th form, this guide is for you. Choosing the right CV template as a school leaver and optimising it for application tracking systems (ATS) can be an extra hassle, but it will increase your chances of being shortlisted by hiring manager or recruiters.

Everyone's experience is unique when they leave school. We can help start you career journey on the right foot and stand out from the crowd.

Here’s what we cover in this guide: Key sections of a modern CV for school leavers to include. How to highlight educational achievements and transferable skills over experience. Strategies for gaining relevant experience and skills to enhance your CV. Advice on preparing for the workplace and developing professional skills.

Not sure what's next for you? Read our career advice for school leavers to discover the opportunities that await you!

Customise this CV example to get started

School leaver cv example.

In this school leaver CV sample, Isabella highlights her previous work experience. She has showcased her customer service and language skills to gain a competitive edge. The Wheaton CV template is well-structured, concise, and well-formatted, which looks appealing and is easy to read by recruiters.

Kickstart your career with a winning CV! Use our easy-to-follow guide and templates to create a CV for your first job !

What to include in a school leaver CV?

As a school leaver, you have many opportunities for employment across different fields, such as finance , healthcare , and travel . Even with little to no experience, the scope of opportunities for school leavers is getting wider with industries opening up more entry-level positions. Nowadays, even the NHS is offering school leavers to become doctors through apprenticeships.

Regardless of which job you are applying for, make sure to personalise your school or college leaver CV with these essential sections:

Contact details : stay reachable with up-to-date information.

Personal profile: summary including soft skills and achievements.

Education: list your academic background and qualifications.

Work experience: this can include any volunteer experience or part-time work.

Skills : highlight what you bring to the table such as technical and soft skills.

Achievements : highlight your accomplishments from school projects or related courses.

Additional sections:   include hobbies and interests, school projects, awards or language skills.

We recommend creating a master CV that details your professional and academic background. Then, use this to send a job-specific CV and letter of interest to employers.

To discover more opportunities that await you, check out the additional resources listed below:

All about school leavers: school leaver programmes

Can you leave school at 16 and what are your options?

Institute for apprenticeships

MI5 school leavers programmes

Sponsors for educational opportunity London.

How to write a CV for a school leaver job in 5 steps

1. how to write a personal profile on a school leaver cv.

Start your CV with an attention-grabbing positive, and energetic personal profile CV summary. Introduce yourself and highlight practical qualities like motivation , communication , organisation , and time-management skills, relevant to various roles. Focus on academic achievements , keeping this section to about six lines. Use it not only to reflect your qualifications but also to express your long-term career aspirations.

A Level CV Personal Profile Example

Energetic and customer-focused school leaver with a passion for delivering exceptional service. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated through previous volunteering and a work placement in the retail industry. Strong problem-solving abilities, with the ability to multi-task and manage time effectively. Quick learner, adaptable, and eager to contribute to a customer-centric team. Dedicated to providing positive experiences and building lasting relationships with customers.

Take a moment to explore related CV personal profile examples similar to customer service :

Supermarket CV

Merchandiser CV

Shop assistant CV

Call centre CV

Cashier CV.

6th form CV with No Experience Education Personal Profile Example

Proactive school leaver with a strong desire to become a Teaching Assistant. Demonstrated leadership through community service and volunteering. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills from public speaking and debate clubs. Proven dedication and strong work ethic with consistent academic achievements. Additional experience includes tutoring, assisting teachers, and participating in mentoring programs. Eager to develop professional skills in education and contribute to a learning environment.

Refer to the tutor or teacher CV example for more inspiration.

School leaver apprenticeship CV Healthcare Personal Profile Example

Passionate school leaver eager to enter the healthcare sector through an Intermediate Apprenticeship (Level 2) after GCSEs. Aspire to train as a healthcare support worker assistant and aim to advance to an Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience engaging with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Previous volunteer work at local nursing homes and involvement in community outreach programs have instilled a genuine desire to support and improve the lives of others. Committed to positively impacting individuals’ well-being and pursuing a rewarding healthcare career.

Explore the following CV examples for more insights related to starting your career in healthcare:

Nursery assistant CV

Support worker CV

Care Assistant CV

Counsellor CV

Caregiver CV

Lab technician CV

Optometrist CV

Dentist CV.

Dive deeper into how to get a job in healthcare with little to no experience .

College Leaver CV Sports Personal Profile Example

Dynamic and ambitious college leaver with a passion for continuous learning and growth. Eager to embark on a rewarding career journey after completing the BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Sport with distinction. Possessing a strong work ethic, excellent communication skills, and a proactive approach to challenges. Adaptable and quick to learn, with a keen interest in the sports industry. Committed to contributing positively to a team environment while honing my skills and gaining valuable experience.

Explore our range of CV examples tailored to different careers in the sports industry to kickstart your journey:

Football CV

Physiotherapist CV

Personal trainer CV

Looking to create a professional CV?

2. what skills to put on a school leaver cv.

The skills you put on a CV generally depend upon the job you are applying for. However, there are a number of top skills employers look for . The general rule of thumb is Include a combination of hard and soft skills that covers everything mentioned in the job advert. These skills can be gained from your education, any volunteer experience, as well any personal interests such as photography or music .

Whether you've just finished your A-Levels or graduated with a college diploma, we recommend to opt for a skills-based CV to emphasise relevant abilities and competencies over work experience, showcasing your potential to prospective employers.

Customer service skills:

Roles such as waiter/waitress or bartender requires cash handling, product knowledge, and time-management skills. Soft skills such as problem-solving, communication and active listening are important interact with customers, resolve conflicts, and manage transactions.

Administration skills:

An administrative , virtual assistant , data entry or office manager role requires proficiency in tasks like data entry, file management, and appointment scheduling. Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to prioritise are crucial. Effective communication, problem-solving, and adaptability are also essential for smooth office operations.

Beauty and wellness skills:

If you writing a CV for a job within the beauty industry such as hairdresser , beauty therapist or make-up artist , showcase your any expertise in hair styling, skincare treatments, or makeup application. Excellent customer service abilities, creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are just as important for this type of role.

Computer technology skills:

If you're applying for tech-related jobs, such as a developer or prompt engineer , key skills include knowing basic programming languages like Python or HTML, understanding IT basics, being eager to learn, solving problems, paying attention to details, and communicating well.

3. How to write work experience on a school leaver CV

Writing a CV as a school leaver may seem daunting if you have no work experience. If the experience you have is not directly relevant to the job you are applying for, it can still show your dedication, eagerness to learn, and motivation. Try to include any after-school or weekend jobs as well as any work placements during your college or school studies.

Here are tips for creating a CV for school leavers with no work experience:

Choose the right format: opt for a skills-based CV or functional CV template to show your strengths and qualifications from education or volunteering.

Highlight education: focus on your academic achievements, relevant coursework, projects, and extracurricular activities.

Incorporate keywords: tailor your CV by including keywords from the job description, ensuring it aligns with what employers are looking for.

Use strong action verbs : demonstrate your accomplishments and elevate your professional profile, captivating potential employers.

Showcase transferable skills: mention teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Demonstrate how you can apply these skills with examples.

Keep it professional: use simple design elements to enhance readability. Ensure your CV is clean, organised, and visually appealing with a consistent format.

Work experience CV examples

Apprentice, Ground Construction, Manchester, UK, 2021-2022

Gained hands-on experience in construction, assisting with various building projects under the guidance of skilled professionals. Developed technical skills in tool handling and materials management, while learning safety protocols and industry standards. Demonstrated strong work ethic and eagerness to learn, contributing effectively to team goals.

Enhanced practical construction skills through active participation in projects.

Received positive feedback for punctuality and dedication to learning industry practices.

Refer to the following related job types for more work experience examples:

Construction CV

Bricklayer CV

Mechanic CV

Electrician CV

Painter and decorator CV

Carpenter CV.

Barista, Bean Scene Café, Brighton, UK, 2020-2021

Prepared and served a variety of coffee and tea beverages, maintaining high standards of customer service and product quality. Managed cash transactions, handled payments and maintained the cleanliness of the café. Developed excellent interpersonal skills interacting with diverse customers and contributed to a friendly atmosphere.  

Learned coffee-making techniques, contributing to increased customer satisfaction.

Demonstrated strong time-management skills in a fast-paced environment.

Acknowledged by management for support and professionalism in customer interactions.

Explore similar roles within hospitality for more work experience examples:

Catering assistant CV

Event manager CV

Kitchen porter CV.

Retail Customer Service Representative, Book Haven, Liverpool, UK, 2023- present

Supported the retail operations at a busy bookstore, assisting customers in locating books and handling transactions. Provided information on promotions and store events. Contributed to inventory management and organised displays, ensuring the store was organised and welcoming for customers.

Used effective sales techniques to engage customers on the shop floor.

Recognised for teamwork and ability to handle peak hours efficiently.

If you are looking for more specific work experience examples, explore these CVs:

Postperson CV

Gardener CV

Receptionist CV

Shop and Fundraising Volunteer, Mind Charity, London, UK, 2019-2020

Collaborate effectively with a diverse team to organise and execute fundraising events. Engage and interact with team members, beneficiaries, and visitors, demonstrating strong communication skills. Assist with event preparation, participate in training sessions, and contribute to a positive work environment. Motivate fellow volunteers, maintain morale, and provide customer support.

Successfully raised £800k through collaborative fundraising efforts, contributing to the charity's financial goals.

Assisted with implementing an efficient event planning system, resulting in a 10% increase in event productivity.

Received recognition from the charity for outstanding customer service skills.

If you have no work experience, use this gap as an opportunity to be proactive. Try volunteering with a local charity or business to gain some experience.

For more tips on this section, refer to our article on how to write work experience on a CV .

4. Education section on a school leavers CV: How to include it?

Including all relevant information about your education is essential, as this section often takes priority if you have little to no work experience. When adding education to your CV, you should include the following:

Name of your school or college

Year of attendance

Grades awarded from GCSEs, A Levels (England), or Highers (Scotland)

Any special awards you may received.

If applicable, add any other activities you participated in, such as sports teams, clubs or community volunteer work.

Make sure you keep this section brief and concise. If your school grades are particularly relevant to the job you are applying for, it may be worth expanding on them. Such as including your A Maths GCSE if you are applying for a bookkeeper role.

Here are some tips to consider:

List your most recent grades first such as GCSEs or Highers or BTECS.

Only include relevant education, such as GCSEs or A Levels, school name, and date. If you studied your GCSEs and A Levels at the same school, list them in one entry.

If you are still a student , you can put predicted grades on your CV.

How to format education your CV with examples

A-levels, BTEC, and NVQ:

[ School Name], [ School Location], [ Years Attended] [ Qualification] [ Subject Name 1], [ Subject Name 2], [ Subject Name 3] St. Andrews, Manchester, UK, 2016-2018 Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science

[ School Name], [ School Location], [ Years Attended] [ n] GCSEs (including Mathematics and English) Solihull High, Birmingham, UK, 2014-2016 10 GCSEs (including Mathematics and English)

Scottish Highers:

[ School Name], [ School Location], [ Years Attended] Highers: [ Qualifications] N5s: [ Qualifications] Crest Peak School, Edinburgh, 2015–2020 Highers: Maths (A), Physics (B), Chemistry (A), Computing Science (A) N5s: English (C), Maths (A), Geography (B),  (A), Chemistry (A), Computing Science (B)

We recommend gathering references from your school teachers, tutors, or career counsellors. Add these details to your master CV and use your references if requested during an interview.

For extra guidance on this section, refer to our article about how to write education on your CV .

5. Enhance your CV with additional sections 

Enhancing your CV with additional sections can significantly improve your chances of standing out to potential employers and getting your desired job. If you have the relevant information to add your CV, we recommend to include the following sections.

How to list courses and certificates on a school leaver CV 

Courses and certificates can show your potential, especially if you have yet to gain experience. If you’re targeting a specific industry or role, take a specialised course to develop your knowledge and skills. For more inspiration, find a course with the National Careers Service relevant to your career goals.

Courses and certificates CV examples for a 16-year-old CV : 

First Aid Certification, St. John Ambulance, 2021  

Health and Safety in the Workplace, Online Training Institute, 2020  

Digital Marketing Fundamentals, Google Digital, 2019  

Introduction to Coding, Codecademy, 2018.

Looking for courses can help you reach your career goals faster. Research the job requirements and determine if a course could leverage your application. Consider taking an online course if you would prefer to gain a certificate at home.

How to list hobbies and interests on a school leaver CV

Choose activities that align with your skills, interests, and career goals. Ensure you keep your hobbies and interests section relevant and professional. Focus on highlighting transferable skills employers list in job descriptions, such as teamwork, organisation, creativity and attention to detail.

School leaver CV examples for hobbies and interests include:  

Volunteering 

Writing and blogging 

Chess and strategy games 

Singing and dancing.

If you have interests such as Duke of Edinburgh or volunteering, you can include them in a separate section under the heading 'Additional experience' to allow for further elaboration.

How to include references

At the end of your CV, consider adding a references section. You can list teachers, sports coaches, or leaders of any groups you’ve been involved in who can speak positively about your character and work ethic. Add these details to your master CV and use references if requested during an interview.

Key takeaways

Follow this guide to crafting a well-written CV and cover letter to make finding a job less of a job. With this guide, we can help bridge the gap between schooling and professional employment, even without work experience. Navigating the current job market and calming pre-interview nerves is much easier if you have a professional CV for school leavers that includes transferable skills, achievements and relevant experience.

Next steps?

If you need some additional help, explore our CV Writing Service to save time. Our team of experts can assist in crafting a professionally polished school leaver CV tailored to your career goals . Need some more help with your job application? Learn the best tips for writing a cover letter with little to no experience . Explore our blog for more ideas on how to track your job applications and templates for sending your CV via email.

Do school leavers need a CV?

Yes, you need a CV if you want to apply for a job. The applications requirements can vary depending on the type of job you are applying for but it's always beneficial to provide potential employers with a snapshot of your skills, education, and work experience. From your CV, they will be able to determine if you are a good fit for the role.

How long should your school leaver CV be?

In general, your CV should be no longer than two pages. For a school leaver CV, one-page is enough. Avoid unnecessary details and only include relevant information, such as your education, transferable skills, and any relevant experience or achievements. Remember to use clear, concise language and highlight key points effectively. Learn more about CV length .

How much do school leavers earn?

The earnings of school leavers in the UK can vary widely depending on factors such as the type of job, industry, location, and level of education or qualifications obtained. National minimum wage depends on when you leave school. If you are under-18, you can earn up to £6.40 per hour and above-18 is £8.60 per hour . If you are looking for a part-time student job or considering your next steps, explore the best jobs for students to help guide you in your career choices!

What not to include on a school leaver CV?

You might find yourself adding irrelevant information to your CV to make up for a lack of experience or skills. Try not to overthink it. In general, it's good practise to only focus on the important details and not include anything that could be considered unnecessary. We recommend to avoid the following:

Avoid including personal details such as your date of birth, marital status, or nationality, as these are not relevant to your qualifications or suitability for the job.

You don't need to include references on your CV. Instead, you can provide them separately if requested by the employer.

While it's fine to include hobbies or interests that demonstrate relevant skills or qualities, avoid listing unrelated or generic hobbies that do not add value to your application.

What is the best CV template for a school leaver CV?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the best school leaver CV UK template. It ultimately depends on your personal style and the job you're applying to. We recommend a clean and professional template with a clear structure.

How to add work projects to a school leaver CV?

Adding work projects to your CV is a practical way to showcase their relevant skills in a practical context. Include educational projects completed in secondary school for GCSEs or A Levels (England), Highers (Scotland), if relevant to your job application. We recommend adding work projects from school in your education section or additional experience.

How to write a CV for a 16-year-old school leaver in the UK?

Writing your CV as a 16-year-old school leaver can be challenging. Focus on emphasising your educational background and any transferable skills you’ve developed. Since you might not have work experience or a GCSE certificate, it's important to highlight other strengths and competencies.

How to write a CV for a 16-year-old school leaver with no experience?

Writing your CV as a 16-year-old school leaver can be challenging. We suggest using a skills-based approach focusing on key skills and core competencies. Bring them to the top of the document instead of your employment history. Ensure the details are concise, easy to read, and relevant to the job you are applying to.

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School Leaver CV Examples & UK Templates

The prospect of writing a school leaver CV can feel daunting. Where do you begin with no experience, or at least very little?

There is no need to stress writing a school leaver CV without experience. With the correct formatting and strategy, you can still create a CV that grabs the hiring manager's attention and helps you get that all-important interview.

At Resume.io, we have helped job seekers from all walks of life find their dream job – with or without experience. We have a wide range of CV examples you can choose from in various professions. You can also use our CV builder to help you create the perfect CV. We will help you get those thoughts down onto paper while making a real impact.

In this school leaver CV guide, together with the CV example, we will cover these topics:

• How to write your school leaver CV – including tips and tricks for making it impactful
• The best format to use for your school leaver CV
• Advice on how to make the most of each section of your CV
• Layout and design hints and tips

How to write a school leaver CV

There are various sections that are a must-have for your school leaver CV. The insertion of these will ensure that you cover all the key points of your skills and experience:

• Employment History

Every hiring manager wants to feel that you have considered the role and the company, so you should aim to tailor your CV to suit the position you are applying for. As a school leaver, you are likely to be applying for a range of different roles in an array of industries, but even making minor tweaks will show that you are focused on the role you are applying for.

Do as much research as you can about the role, the company, and the hiring manager, and in this way, you will be able to get the tone right. Then, use our CV examples to inspire you to create your own.

Here is a tried and tested formula to use when writing your school leaver CV:

• Make sure the style and tone are adapted to suit the employer you are applying to.
• Ensure your school leaver's CV is professional and use a polished format to create the right impression.
• Consider that the employer may have an ATS (Applicant Tracking System), so use relevant keywords throughout your CV. You can find these on the job spec.

How much do school leavers earn?

The average salary for a school leaver in the UK is £16,622. The actual figure you can expect to earn will derive from factors like your qualifications, relevant experience, job location, and industry. You should always be paid at the national minimum wage , which is £7.49 from April 2023 for employees aged 18-20. Companies are legally obliged to pay this.

Choosing the best CV format for a school leaver

In most cases, the reverse chronological order, defined by the employment history section, is the favourable option. However, in the case of a school leaver, you may want to start with the education section since you are less likely to have experience.

You can make the education section more extensive than you would if you already had a lot of professional experience to fill your CV to at least one page in length. Although, two pages is ideal. Use our CV samples for additional guidance.

If you have any achievements from school that you are particularly proud of and feel would be relevant, you may want to consider creating an additional 'achievements' section. It will not only make your school leaver CV stand out a bit more, but it will also add to the length, making your CV more appealing.

CV summary example: your story so far

Your story is just beginning as a school leaver, but you still have a tale to tell. Beneath your name and contact details is where you will place your CV summary (otherwise known as profile), which is a short introduction to who you are and what has led you to apply for the role.

The summary section needs only two or three statements that show the expertise and skills you possess relevant to the role. You should avoid using 'I' when devising your statements. Instead, you should use action verbs, such as managed, demonstrated, or developed.

You may be looking for some inspiration when writing your summary so that you can take a look at our related CV samples such as our student CV sample and graduate CV example. You may also find useful information in our internship CV sample.

Enthusiastic individual with experience in delivering excellent customer service. Experienced in anticipating deadlines and coordinating complex schedules. Excellent computer skills and proficient in a range of data entry and calendar management software. 

CV education example

As discussed in the guide, the standard format for a CV is usually the employment section situated after the summary. However, it would make more sense to start with your education with a school leaver CV, as this will be the most important.

With experienced candidates, the detail of school qualifications is usually irrelevant. However, with a school leaver CV, you should note the number of GCSEs/Highers (or equivalent) that you possess, including the grades. You can also add an achievement section under this if you have achieved anything that would make you stand out, for instance, an award for highest attendance, the best project in Year 1, and the like.

Westminster City School, London  September 2016 - June 2023  

• Achieved 7 GCSEs (Art, History, Biology, Chemistry, English, French, Computing Studies)
• 3 A Levels (Computing Studies, Art and English)

Employment history sample: the next step

The employment history section can seem very tricky for a school leaver with little to no experience. Of course, you can't leave it blank, but how do you write about experience if you don't have any?

Any experience counts here so that you can use this section to detail unpaid work, volunteer work, or activities associated with clubs or sports. The focus should be to highlight transferable skills you have developed during these jobs or activities. For example, building relationships, providing excellent customer service, and developing communication skills.

You can use bullet points when describing the duties associated with these. Instead of using 'I' – for instance”'I babysat my neighbours children during school holidays”, you could say “responsible for attending to the needs of my neighbour’s children during evening hours”

Crew Member at McDonalds, London December 2021 - Present

• Communicating with customers to deliver their orders and ensure satisfaction.
• Collaborating with other crew members to follow safety guidelines.
• Monitoring cleanliness of restaurant and executing general cleaning tasks.
• Balancing till and recording data in company software.

Babysitting, London September 2021 - June 2022

• Responsible for taking care of multiple after school.
• Coordinating the children’s after school activities.
• Staying on top of children’s needs including cooking meals.

If you did not receive the qualifications to attend university, or you're not interested in going, you're not alone. Following the pandemic, a poll revealed that more than one fifth of school leavers planned to pursue a job rather than higher education.

School leaver CV skills example: leading the way

If you have little or no experience, you may want to focus on the soft skills you possess. Of course, it is better to have a mix of both hard skills and soft skills, but it will depend on whether you have been previously employed. Next, consider the skills you possess that might be relevant to the role. For instance, is the hiring manager looking for an excellent communicator? Do they need someone with great problem-solving skills? Use this section to hone your skills. Below you’ll find the skills from our CV sample.

• Coordination Skills
• Customer Service Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Team Player
• Excellent Phone Manner

CV layout and design: creating a great first impression

With your school leaver CV, you are hoping to get to the interview stage, which involves writing great content and a clear layout and design. Hiring managers are not looking for your CV to be anything outlandish; they should just be easy to read, with clear, defined sections.

There is no need to complicate the design of your school leaver CV; keep it simple. The hiring manager may only read the cover letter for a mere second, so they should be instantly attracted to the design and style. Use our CV examples for inspiration on the CV layout and design.

You should always play to your strengths when writing your school leaver CV, which includes structuring it to highlight the most critical areas of your skills and experience. These, of course, must be relevant to the role.

Writing a CV always comes with challenges, and it's important that you get it right. We have a range of tried and tested CV templates that you can use to help you create your work of art. In addition, some of the less enjoyable tasks can be taken off your shoulders using our CV templates.

Key takeaways for a school leaver CV

• Before you get started on your school leaver CV, create a draft of the sections you'll like to include and the order.
• A school leaver CV should focus on the education and skills section, as the experience section may be non-existent or minimal.
• Tailor your CV to the role you are applying to and the company; even minimal changes will help make it more appealing.
• Use a simple, straightforward CV design to attract the hiring manager's attention.
• Use our online CV maker to make your CV creation seem effortless.

Attractive CV templates at your fingertips

How To Write a Winning School Leaver CV .

Creating a standout CV as a school leaver is an exciting opportunity to showcase your qualifications, skills, and potential to employers. Even with limited work experience, you can still craft a CV that truly highlights what makes you unique. Let’s explore why each section of your CV is so important and how it can help you make a lasting impression.

Start with a Strong Personal Statement

Your personal statement is your first chance to make a lasting impression. It’s not just an introduction, it’s your pitch to employers, explaining who you are, what you’re looking for, and what you bring to the table.

Why it matters – A clear, focused personal statement helps employers quickly understand your goals and how you fit the role. It sets the tone for the rest of your CV.

Highlight Your Education

As a school leaver, your education is your key selling point. Listing your qualifications clearly shows employers your academic achievements and any relevant subjects.

Why it matters – With limited work experience, your educational background becomes a primary focus. Highlighting it effectively shows employers your foundational knowledge and potential.

Emphasise Relevant Skills

Identifying and showcasing the skills most relevant to the job you’re applying for helps bridge the gap between your education and the workplace.

Why it matters – Skills like communication, teamwork, and IT proficiency are often as valuable as formal experience. Demonstrating these skills shows employers you have the tools to succeed in the role.

Include Any Work Experience

Even if your work experience is minimal or informal, it’s important to include any roles or responsibilities that demonstrate transferable skills and your ability to contribute in a workplace setting.

Why it matters – Work experience, no matter how small, provides concrete examples of your ability to perform in a professional environment. It helps employers see how you’ve applied your skills in real-world situations.

Highlight Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities aren’t just hobbies – they’re opportunities to develop and demonstrate important soft skills.

Why it matters – Leadership, commitment, and initiative are highly valued by employers. Showing involvement in extracurricular activities can give you an edge by highlighting these qualities.

Add a Section for Achievements

Achievements extend beyond education and work experience, offering a chance to highlight standout moments and recognitions.

Why it matters – Achievements help differentiate you from other candidates. They provide evidence of your dedication, hard work, and success in various areas.

Provide References

Having references available shows that you’re prepared and that others are willing to vouch for your skills and character.

Why it matters – References add credibility to your application. They provide employers with an additional layer of confidence in your abilities.

Format Your CV Professionally

A well-organised CV is easier to read and more likely to make a positive impression.

Why it matters – Professional formatting reflects attention to detail and respect for the employer’s time. It ensures your CV is clear, concise, and easy to navigate.

Tailor Your CV for Each Application

Customising your CV for each job demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and understand the role you’re applying for.

Why it matters – Tailoring your CV shows employers that you’re serious about the position and have taken the time to align your skills and experiences with their needs.

• Proofread: Avoid errors that could undermine your credibility.
• Be Honest: Authenticity builds trust and sets realistic expectations.
• Keep it Concise: A focused CV is more impactful and easier for employers to review.

By presenting your skills, education, and experiences thoughtfully, you can create a CV that highlights your potential and opens doors to exciting opportunities.

Looking for more CV inspiration? Download and personalise our latest CV template.

[DOWNLOAD YOUR CUSTOMISABLE CV TEMPLATE]

Looking for tailored CV advice? Reach out to our recruitment experts!

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Home » Personal Statement Examples » School Leaver Personal Statement Example

School Leaver Personal Statement Example

By Guest Author

   If you are leaving school soon and looking to begin work and are ready to start applying for jobs then once you have highlighted what kind of jobs you want to apply for then you need to start looking at what skills and experience you have to offer an employer.

Starting a career at such an early age allows employers to mould you into their company without already having any bad habits. It also means that you will be given the opportunity to learn as much as you can and take on board what you can depending on how much you want to put into your career.

Related: School Leaver Cover Letter

Before doing your personal statement within your application you will need to consider carefully what skills and attributes you have to offer and tailor this to what specific job you are looking to apply for. This could mean tailoring each statement if you are going to be applying for different things.

Below is an example personal statement that you can use as a guide:

I am a young, keen individual who is eager to begin a career in (what depending on the role you are applying for). I will be leaving school/I left school (when) and am interested in working in your industry/company.

I work hard, enjoy learning and like to do things that are hands on where I can feel the jobs getting done and see the success this brings. I have always had a passion for (career choice) and have done (what towards beginning this career choice).

I am very enthusiastic and have tailored my education round (what career choice to be interested in) and ready to begin learning whilst doing something that I enjoy. I want to be successful in my career and am prepared to put the hours and effort into my career to achieve this.

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School Leaver CV: How To Write A School Leaver CV

Writing a school leaver CV can feel tough at times – after all, you’ve just been through school, so how are you meant to write almost a page about your work history?

Well the good news is that you don’t have to, although any work experience you do happen to have is, of course, a bonus.

On a school leaver CV, you can focus more on your educational achievements, skills, ambitions, and even your hobbies.

You could also try to find a local volunteering role, perhaps at a nearby charity shop, to show some proactivity on your school leaver CV. 

In fact, 82% of people with responsibility for hiring say they’re more likely to choose a candidate with volunteering experience, according to Deloitte.

Here’s how to write a school leaver CV without worrying about whether you have enough experience yet.

School leaver CV format

Don’t worry if you haven’t any paid employment experience to write about – usually, a CV for a school leaver doesn’t have anything to include here.

Once you’ve taken your first step on the career ladder, you can start thinking of using a CV with a chronological employment history format. 

For now, a functional or skills-based CV template is much more likely to meet your needs.

This format emphasises your skills and achievements from your educational, personal or professional life, while de-emphasising the focus on work history.

Contact details and personal statement

At the top of your school leaver CV, put your contact information including your name, phone number and email address.

You might have your own website or online portfolio of articles or photographs – if it’s relevant to the job you want, you can add the link here too.

Next, write a short personal statement . This should be tailored to the role you’re applying for and summarise your most relevant achievements, strengths and career ambitions.

For a school leaver CV, just three to four sentences should be long enough – quality over quantity – but try to support your claims with examples if possible.

Often, it’s easier to only write this part once the rest of your CV is complete. 

Skills and education sections

Your skills section can consist of:

• Hard skills: these are quantifiable and specific e.g. qualifications or achievements, completed courses or foreign language experience
• Soft skills: these are more personal, relating to individual characteristics or qualities e.g. problem solving or leadership

For soft skills in particular, try to back these up with an example.

In your education section, include your number and level of subject grades (or expected grades), as well as any other academic achievements from GCSE level onwards.

If you have A-Levels (or equivalent), start with these and then go in reverse chronological order back to your GCSEs. 

Depending on which part looks stronger, you can choose whether to put your skills or education section first on a CV for a school leaver.

Work experience and volunteering sections (optional)

Either, or both, of these can be omitted if you don’t have any work or volunteering experience to write about.

If you do, cover these in reverse chronological order, including details such as the company or charity name, your role and the dates you worked or volunteered there.

Then list any relevant responsibilities, ideally tailored to the job description. For example, if you’re applying for a receptionist role, mention any customer service experience you have.

You could also sign off by writing ‘references available on request’ at the end of your school leaver CV, something which you won’t need to do in future years. Read our blog for more information about putting references on your CV .

In general, seeking out volunteering opportunities is a great way to demonstrate your proactivity and lengthen your school leaver CV if you haven’t had any work experience yet. 

Hobbies and interests

Later in your career, this final part will be brief. However, on a school leaver CV, it’s a nice chance to show employers how the things you do in your spare time make you a good fit for the role.

As before, try to only include hobbies and interests that are relevant.

For example, music grades could help show that you’re used to practising a skill and then performing it under pressure.

Group sports could also allude to good communication or teamwork skills – but leave out any pastimes which have no relevance to working, like ‘seeing my friends’.

You could also sign off by writing ‘references available on request’ at the end of your school leaver CV, something which you won’t need to do in future years . 

If your application is successful and you’re asked for a reference, but don’t have any work or volunteering experience, then one of your teachers could be a good option for a referee.

Final thoughts: how to write a school leaver CV

That’s how to write a CV for a school leaver – focus on your skills and education to date. 

Don’t worry if you have to leave out the work experience section, but think about how you could impress employers by being proactive, perhaps by volunteering or taking a course.

To stand out from the crowd, you could consider writing a cover letter – even if you’re not asked for one – to show employers just how ambitious you are.

For more information about work and internship opportunities after leaving school, there are lots of resources out there – start by visiting the relevant National Careers Service pages .

If you have any questions for us about writing a school leaver CV – or if you’d like us to write your CV – then please don’t hesitate to get in touch .

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Student CV template + 10 CV examples

Build your CV on this template 

Finding a job as a student can be challenging… Especially when you have little or no experience

But having a strong student CV will get you noticed by employers and help you to land the interviews you deserve.

This student CV template and 10 student CV examples show you exactly how to create an interview-winning CV, no matter what your current situation is.

There’s also a detailed student CV writing guide at the bottom.

Student CV template (With part time experience)

CV templates 

Why this CV is effective

Writing a school leaver CV is a big challenge, especially when you have no work experience, but all of the job adverts seem to be asking for experienced people.

Here’s how this candidate overcomes this barrier and creates an attractive CV.

The profile/personal statement

This 16 year old candidate doesn’t have any full time work experience in the field they are hoping to work in, so they use their profile to sell their academic achievements and transferable student skills .

The purpose of the profile (or personal statement) is to catch recruiters’ attention as they skim through all of the CVs in their inbox. This profile contains lots of information around highest level of qualifications, subjects that are relevant to their target roles, and extra-curricular activities

They also clearly mention their desire to enter the finance industry, and demonstrate why they have the necessary skills to succeed in it.

Quick tip:  If you struggle with spelling and grammar, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder

Build your CV now 

The core skills and achievements

The core skills and achievements are in the bullet pointed section under the profile, and as you can see, the points are very short and sharp. This ensures that they can be seen from a quick glimpse of the CV and they gives recruiters a snapshot of this person’s skills.

Good skills and achievements to include are things like:

• Highest qualification level
• Skills relevant to the industry you are targeting
• School teams and clubs
• Positions of responsibility
• Awards and recognition

Education section

As a school leaver, your education is going to be of great interest to employers , so you should include details of your subjects and grades.

You can even include details of any coursework or projects that might be relevant to the jobs you are targeting.

• Work experience

This teenager candidate’s work experience consists of one part time kitchen role which isn’t relevant to the finance roles they are applying for. However, this doesn’t stop them from using the role to their advantage.

Throughout the role description, the candidate showcases lots of transferable workplace skills such as communication , teamwork , and problem solving .

The role is structured for easy navigation by including an outline at the top, followed by bullet pointed responsibilities.

Student CV (no experience )

    Top tips for writing a CV with no experience

• Research your target jobs thoroughly to find out exactly what skills and knowledge you need to highlight in your CV
• Draw out transferable workplace skills from your school work, studies, projects and extra-curricular activities to prove that you have valuable skills that employers are looking for
• If you have any hobbies or interests that are relevant or impressive (such as sports teams, writing, club membership, charity work etc.) add them to your CV to give it a boost
• For a quick way to add experience to your CV, pick up a short term voluntary role in your local area

College student CV

University student CV / Graduate

As a graduate , you are competing against lots of other similar candidates to land graduate jobs and internships – so it’s important to get your CV ( curriculum vitae ) right and make it stand out from the pack.

The personal statement / profile

As a graduate, it’s vital to make recruiters stick to your CV when they first open the document. This candidate does that by writing a powerful personal statement which summarises all of the skills they have picked up in university, work placements, and personal projects .

It’s short, sharp and punchy, which makes it an interesting read, and it’s heavily tailored to the needs of the candidate’s target employers, by including plenty of relevant terms and key words .

Core skills and achievements

To give readers a quick snapshot of their most in-demand abilities, this candidate has included a bullet pointed list of some impressive skills and achievements which relate to their target roles.

Related projects

As a graduate with limited experience, it’s wise to highlight some relevant projects that you’ve undertaken from university, school, or personal work. It’s a great way to compensate for a lack of work experience in your field.

This candidate is keen to land a product design role, so they have gone into huge detail around the product design elements of their studies. They have highlighted subjects and modules to give recruiters a deep insight into their technical knowledge.

Whilst this candidate’s work experience is not relevant to the roles he is applying for, he still uses them to demonstrate his ability to work in a team environment and contribute to an employer. Roles are well structured and broken up into easy-to-read segments so that employers can read them quickly and find the info they need.

Download CV template

You can also check out our example CV for PhD applications

Internship CV

Finance student CV

Law student CV

Masters student CV

Medical student CV

See also: Student nurse CV

How to write a student CV

Writing your student CV is a lot easier when you have sample CVs and CV templates , but it’s still important to understand what recruiters want to see in your CV – and the type of information you need to get across.

These tips will help you perfect your student CV and land a junior role or apprenticeship with a good salary and progression opportunities.

• CV structure and format

Student CV structure and format

Firstly, you must structure and format your CV in a fashion that makes it easy to read, and gives it a professional outlook.

Use a word processor like Google Docs to create your CV and check out this overview of how to layout your CV and the sections you need to include.

Formatting tips

• Keep the font simple and clear – don’t be tempted to use fancy fonts that might be tricky to read.
• The colour scheme should be toned down and clear with black text on a white background creating the easiest reading experience.
• Text should be broken up as much as possible to ensure that busy recruiters and hiring managers can digest the information quickly
• Use big bold headings to clearly define sections and break the information up further

Do your research

Before you start writing your CV it’s crucial to find out what your target employers want to see in a candidate.

Without knowing the skills and knowledge that are required for the jobs you are applying for, it will be difficult to know what you should populate your CV with.

I would advise heading over to the job sites and scanning through plenty of adverts to find out what the most important skills in your niche are.

CV personal statement/profile

Your personal statement or profile is an introductory paragraph which sits at the top of your CV, and is designed to give employers a high-level summary of what you can offer them

The personal statement is arguably the most important part of your CV because it is the first part of the CV that a recruiter’s gaze will be drawn to – if it’s weak, they may skip on to the next CV in their inbox.

So, ensure that your personal statement is packed with relevant skills and gives a good overview of your abilities – this way it will persuade recruiters to read the rest of your CV.

What to include in your student CV profile

• Summary of your education – Being a student, your education is going to be of great interest to hiring managers, so add a high-level overview of your education to your profile, focusing on your highest levels of achievement and qualifications that are relevant to your target jobs.
• In-demand skills – To ensure that your CV gets noticed by recruiters, you need to pack your profile with skills that are important to the jobs you are applying for. Read the job descriptions of the roles you are applying to and include as many of the essential skills as you can (you could have gained these through studies, work experience or even personal achievements)
• Work experience – As a student you might not have much (or any) work experience, but anything you have done should be included in your profile because recruiters love to see it. This could include school  work placements, internships, freelancing or even volunteering.

Your education section

As a student it’s unlikely that you will have a lot of experience to write about, so your education section will provide you with more opportunities to write about your skills and knowledge.

Add your education section near the top of your CV, unless you have some highly relevant work experience that will be more interesting to employers (e.g. a work placement within the industry you are applying to)

Formatting your education section 

Your education needs to be easy for recruiters to navigate, so break it down into clear sections for each qualification, using bullet points and bold headings.

Head each entry with;

• Name of qualification and subject (e.g. GCSE in Maths)
• Institution studied at (school, college, university etc.)
• Dates Studied 

And for your most recent and relevant qualifications you should expand by adding details on:

• Awards and achievements

This will allow you to provide employers with plenty of detail on the skills and knowledge you picked up, along with the achievements you made.

For older and less relevant qualifications you don’t have to provide as much detail because employers will be less interested. For example, if you have a marketing degree and are applying to marketing roles, it will be important to add lots of information on your marketing degree, but your primary school studies will not be as interesting to readers.

Adding your work experience (paid or unpaid)

As a  student, it can be difficult to find experience to place in your CV or resume . – especially if you don’t have any paid work experience.

But the key to adding work experience to your student CV is being creative.

The work experience that you include in your CV doesn’t have to be limited to full-time paid jobs only.

Think outside of the box and include any instances where you have shown initiative outside of your studies, such as:

• Volunteer work – Volunteering for a local or online business in your industry can be a great way to learn relevant skills and add them to your CV.
• School/University work placements – If you have done any work placements within your studies these will give you a great chance to prove your skill set and work ethic.
• Freelancing – Getting freelance work is easier than ever now, thank to sites like Fiverr and PPH. Set up a profile and start offering freelance work, then add some of your projects to your CV.

Writing about these types of activities will give you plenty of opportunities to showcase workplace skills and prove you are a motivated candidate.

How to structure work experience in your CV

Use the structure below to write about your work experience and provide recruiters with a pleasant reading experience, whilst highlighting your skills and achievements.

Hobbies and interests

When you don’t have much work experience, your hobbies and interests can be used to demonstrate lots of workplace skills and qualities.

Add interesting and constructive hobbies that will demonstrate a range of skills and personal traits, like the following

• Playing for a sports team – Shows teamwork, dedication, leadership…
• Being a member of a club – Shows organisation, passion, consistency…
• Writing a blog – Shows writing skills, pro-activity, tech knowledge…
• World travel – Shows confidence, coordination, people skills …

Avoid common passive hobbies like…

• Watching TV
•  Eating out
• Going to the cinema

They are unlikely to impress anyone.

Check out my video on how to add hobbies and interests to your CV..

Using your student CV template

Once you’ve written a winning student CV (or student resume ) it’s time to start landing job interviews.

Apply for jobs on multiple job websites with a strong cover letter , as well as searching for your target companies and sending them emails speculatively. You can learn how to write a cover letter with my detailed guide .

You would also benefit from attending jobs fairs locally and in major cities.

Job hunting is never easy, so don’t give up if you don’t get responses straight away. Be patient, keep making applications and adjust your approach based on feedback.

Stay positive and you’ll be in your dream job in no time.

You can also try our editable CV template .

Good luck with the job search !

PS. You can also use an online CV creator or a blank CV template .

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   Home » Articles & News » How To Write Your First CV – Step by Step Guide for Students

How To Write Your First CV – Step by Step Guide for Students

• CV tips and cover letter tips
• Help Getting A Job
• Not sure what to do next – study

See how to write your first CV for your first job with this step by step guide for students. You don’t lots of need work experience or qualifications to write a great CV that demonstrates your skills and strengths.

In this guide:, what is a cv.

• What to put in your CV
• Your personal statement
• Your work experience
• Your skills and strengths
• Your interests
• Your references
• Do’s and Don’ts
• Why you need a CV
• Expert tips
• Watch the video!

A CV (also known as Curriculum Vitae) is a document that helps you show employers your skills, strengths, qualifications and experience when you apply for a job. Employers often ask for a CV and expect it to look and feel professional.

A CV is a big first step to getting a job. It doesn’t just show employers what you’ve done – it shows them what you can do. Think of it as an introduction to one of the most amazing and employable people in the world. You.

What to put in your first CV: A step by step guide

• Contact details – phone number and email address.
• Personal statement: – A personal statement is a sentence or paragraph that summarises your strengths, career goals, and what you can offer employers.
• Key skills: – Skills like teamwork, communication and problem solving are useful to put on your CV when you are still building experience
• Education: Putting your education in your CV means adding you’ve studied, for how long, and what grades you got. You can put predicted grades if waiting for results.
• Work experience: Work experience can include part-time jobs, work placements, work shadowing, internships, and paid training like apprenticeships.
• Hobbies and interests: This section is your chance to show your general life experience and skills. Volunteering, personal projects and learning out of choice (e.g. sports or music) can show employers your skills, motivation and suitability for a role.

You can explore each of these elements in more depth below.

What to put in your personal statement on your first CV

What is a cv personal statement.

A CV personal statement is a bite-sized sentence or two summing up who you are as a professional, and what you want to offer employers in terms of your ambition and experience.

Example personal statement

“Sixth form student at Stonebridge College. Practical work experience with retail weekend work (including cash handling) and summer catering work in restaurants. Looking to start a business career with work that develops my business skills and includes customer service.”

If you haven’t done much work experience, you won’t have much to say here. You can still talk about your skills, though. You’ll learn more about talking about skills in your first CV below.

What counts as work experience on your first CV?

You may have never had a job before, but you probably have more experience than you think. Examples of work experience include:

• work shadowing
• work experience and placements
• volunteering
• charity work
• Saturday jobs
• summer jobs .

Work experience can take all kinds of forms. For each bit of work experience , include the name of the place you worked, how long you worked there and what your main tasks were. Try to write about the work you did in a way that shows future employers what you’d be good at. For example…

How to talk about skills and strengths in your first CV

If you’ve got little or no work experience, you can still use a CV to talk about your skills and strengths. These are known as ‘soft skills’ or ‘life skills’. They are personal qualities that have helped you develop as a person, but can also help you fit into the workplace and develop as a professional, too.

Many youth friendly employers are changing their recruitment approach in terms of job descriptions and job requirements to focus on skills and strengths instead of qualifications and experience. This can help you demonstrate your suitability for a job in your CV when you are a student or school leaver and still building your qualifications and experience.

These are the top life and work skills to talk about in your CV:

• self-belief
• communication
• problem solving
• self-management .

Try out our free online Young Professional training to build these five top life and work skills, wherever you are in the UK.

You are building these important work skills all the time, even when you are still at school. You just need to learn how to develop them and show employers you’ve got them. You can talk about these work skills in your CV.

If you are applying for a job that mentions nice-to-have skills, use your CV to demonstrate how any work experience you’ve done has helped you build up those skills.

EXAMPLE: talking about your Saturday job in your CV

Role: Weekend customer assistant work, MacDougal’s Fast Food, Aug 2016-Dec 2017

• Developed strong customer service skills in serving customers quickly and politely
• Used problem solving to help customers with a range of queries like requesting vegan choices or items not on the menu
• Worked as a team to make sure food was cooked, served and delivered quickly, and the service area was kept clean
• Used self-management and organisation skills to carry out tasks on my own without constant supervision by the team leader
• Developed time-keeping skills in always being punctual for work
• I was given extra responsibilities by the team leader and trained in cash handling and working the till.

How to talk about hobbies in your CV

Talking about hobbies and interests in your CV gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your ambition, motivation, positive attitude and life skills. It’s important to talk about your interests in your first CV because it shows employers you are keen to learn and try new things. You are motivated to do more than the bare minimum in order to develop yourself.

Example hobbies and interests to include in your first CV:

• Volunteering (this includes volunteering online )
• Social action
• Learning a new skill, also known as lifelong learning (e.g. sports discipline, instrument, crafting, coding)
• Clubs and societies (e.g. scouts, guides, after-school clubs, youth clubs)
• Achievements (e.g. awards you have won, charity events you have participated in, courses you have completed)

Employers are likely to ask you about your hobbies and interests in a job interview. Talking about these can make you feel more at ease with the social side of the interview process. You can also talk about the skills you use in your hobbies to show you are a well-rounded person who is suitable for the job.

Who can give you a reference for your first CV?

Someone who gives you a reference is someone who can vouch for you when you are applying for a job. You don’t have to put references on your CV. You can just say “References available on request” on the bottom. But this does give you time to think about who could be a good reference for any work experience you’ve done.

If you’re still in school, you could ask a teacher to be a reference. If you’ve done any saturday work, volunteering or charity work you could ask the team leader or the person who supervised you to be your reference. If you’ve done school work experience, you could ask your supervisor to provide you with a reference.

Whoever you ask for a reference, be polite and explain why you want the job – or ask if they will be willing to provide a reference if you apply for jobs in the future.

What not to put on your CV:

• Date of birth
• Gender (your business, no-one else’s)
• Religion (your business, no-one else’s)
• Relationship status (single, married or “it’s complicated”? Never put it on your CV!)
• Nationality (all these things are way too personal and employers will only ask if they absolutely need to know)
• Weird colours, designs and fonts (keep it simple!)
• A non-professional email address (Weird or joke emails like [email protected] give employers the wrong impression. It’s quick and free to get a new professional email address like [email protected] if you need one.)
• Lies (never lie on your CV. You can emphasise your good points, but never lie – you will just get caught out.)
• References (if employers want references from people, they’ll ask you. Save that CV space for your skills, experience and achievements)
• It is recommended that you do not provide your address for personal security reasons, but it you can decide whether you think it is necessary to include it.

What should your first CV look like?

The most important thing is to keep it simple! Your CV should not be more than two pages long, and it should look really basic with simple formatting. Avoid fancy fonts, CV templates or colours.

Search online for ‘CV templates’ and you’ll find loads of examples to try.

Why do you need a CV?

A CV tells employers what you’re good at, what you are interested in and what you’ve achieved in life so far.  You hand it out when you are looking for jobs. They are great to take to careers fairs, and you can often upload your CV if you are applying for a job online. If an employer likes your CV they might ask you to come to a job interview .

Your CV is your chance to show employers you’re a good match for the job and can back up any claims you make. If you say in your cover letter that your cooking could put the Great British Bake-Off to shame, your CV can back you up by showing how you raised hundreds of pounds in a school charity bake sale.

CV tips from youth-friendly employers

BT Early Careers : (Because not all employers these days need CVs, especially with online applications): “Fill in our online application form. We’ll be looking for evidence that you’re suitable for life at BT. Don’t worry if you don’t have a CV, you don’t need to upload one if you don’t want to.”

Capita: “Put your mobile phone number on your CV. We need to quickly find it and call you to give you the good news that you are through!”

Ixion: “Do you want to apply for a traineeship with us? As part of your traineeship, we will support you in putting together your CV as we want to see you progress successfully from your traineeship either into an apprenticeship or employment.”

Kelly Services : “In online recruitment, many companies use ATS, or Applicant Tracking Software, to sort out ‘good’ CVs from the ones that they think are less suited to the job. Use keywords in what you write on your online application that are relevant to the job posting that you’re applying for and that are mentioned in the job posting.”

McDonald’s : “Remember what your CV is for. It’s not just to show employers what you’ve done. It’s to show employers who you are and what you CAN do.”

VHR Technical Recruitment : “ List your most significant accomplishments in order of importance for each of your previous work experience roles. Allow employers and recruiters looking at your CV to build a great impression of your achievements and future potential in seconds. “

CV Tips: Watch Video

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