Writing a CV with no experience as a recent graduate

A strong CV is essential when applying for graduate-level jobs. But if you're a recent graduate with little to no work experience, crafting one can feel challenging.  

While work experience is a valuable component of a CV, there are many other qualities and skills that employers value. Your time at university has equipped you with transferable skills and a respected level of higher education. Highlighting these, as well as extracurricular activities, can help your CV stand out.  

In this article, we outline the best way to write a compelling CV, even without extensive work experience.

Table of contents:

1. Craft a skill-based CV
2. Use CV templates to your advantage
3. Build your experience

Craft a skill-based CV 

Instead of focusing solely on work experience, structure your CV around your skills. This will enable you to demonstrate your unique strengths and abilities more effectively, giving potential employers a well-rounded view of what you can bring to a role. 

One way to do this is by replacing the traditional ‘employment history’ section with an ‘experience and achievements’ section. Place this immediately after your ‘education’ section for maximum impact.

Include:

• Paid work, including internships, part-time jobs and administrative roles (even if unrelated)
• Volunteering experience 
• Research projects
• Online courses or certifications
• Extra-curricular activities, such as sports, societies, or committee roles 
• Awards and recognitions 
• Hobbies and personal achievements 

You can expand on these as appropriate to further highlight your strengths and abilities. For example, if you list running as a hobby, mention completing a marathon and explicitly link it to skills like determination, organisation and discipline.

Tailor your CV for each job application if possible, prioritising the most relevant experiences and making clear connections to the role you’re applying for.

Start with a strong personal profile 

The personal profile is an ‘about me’ section at the top of your CV, which is designed to grab employers’ attention and showcase your potential. It should be short and punchy, ideally no more than 150 words.  

A strong personal profile should concisely highlight your education and career goals, plus any skills, traits or strengths that are relevant to the position you are applying for.   

Example: 

As a recent graduate from City University with a first-class honours degree in computer science, I am seeking a role which will allow me to develop and use my analytical, problem-solving and coding skills as I begin a career in software engineering.  

As part of my degree, I undertook a three-week internship at CompWorld, which provided relevant sector insights and experience of working on a help-desk. In my free time, I enjoy coding and computer programming and have undertaken a number of short courses to further develop my skills in these areas.  

My career goal is to be able to apply my skills in a role where I can see real-world results and can seek continued professional development opportunities, with a view to one day specialising in AI.  

Highlight your education 

In the education section, list your qualifications so that the highest level of academic achievement appears first. For example: 

• Postgraduate degree(s), including university and graduation date 
• Undergraduate degree(s), including university and graduation date 
• Secondary school qualifications, including school name and year(s) of attainment 

You can also include short courses or professional qualifications in this section if applicable.  

Expand this section of your CV by highlighting relevant coursework, research projects, high grades in key modules, or inclusion on an honour roll. These demonstrate your skills, aptitude and perseverance and will be taken into consideration by potential employers. 

Identify and showcase your transferable skills 

Transferable skills are abilities that can be used across many professions or academic pursuits. They may be soft skills (personal attributes which benefit the workplace, such as interpersonal or problem-solving skills) or hard skills (specific skills you have learned, for example, programming or multilingual abilities).  

Transferable skills tie the relevance of your previous professional, academic and extracurricular experiences to the job you're applying for, making them a valuable addition to a CV. Regardless of your background, you've developed transferable skills that can set you apart from other candidates.

To identify your transferable skills, reflect on your university achievements and consider the strengths and qualities you have developed throughout your studies. Then, link each achievement and experience to a relevant skill that demonstrates your proficiency for the workplace. 

Transferable skills can fall across a range of areas, including:

• Academic skills, e.g., research, critical thinking
• Core skills, e.g., communication, organisation, problem-solving
• Interpersonal skills, e.g., teamwork, leadership
• Everyday skills, e.g., self-motivation, creativity

Even if they don’t seem directly related to the job, transferable skills give employers insight into your unique strengths and potential.

When listing these skills, review the job description for guidance. Job descriptions specify the desired skills employers are looking for and can help tailor your CV effectively. 

The table below identifies the types of accomplishments you might use to evidence relevant transferable skills. The examples of transferable skills provided are not an exhaustive list, and you may find other skills more relevant to your application. 

Connecting accomplishments and experience with transferable skills

Don’t overlook your everyday skills 

Transferable skills can also include everyday skills, especially if these are relevant to the role. Even basic skills or things you do not necessarily think about can set you apart. For example: 

• Multilingual abilities 
• Full driving licence 
• Computer programming skills 
• Social media proficiency 

Use CV templates to your advantage 

To make your CV stand out, consider using a professionally designed template, available online or through your university’s careers services. As well as offering the eye-catching appeal of a professional design, templates save time and effort when it comes to structuring and formatting your CV. 

Don’t be afraid to customise templates to complement your unique skills, strengths and experience, remembering that crafting your CV does not need to be a one-size-fits-all exercise.

Edit your CV between job applications to add personal touches bespoke to each opportunity. Whether or not you use a template, the key is to ensure your CV looks professional and considered. 

Top tips for a professional-looking CV: 

• Use a classic, professional font, such as Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman 
• Use a standard font size between 10 and 12 points 
• Do not exceed two pages (one page is ideal for recent graduates) 
• Set your CV aside for a few hours before proofreading to ensure you are looking at it with fresh eyes 

Build your experience 

It’s never too late to start building experience for your future career. Relevant experience, even unpaid, is a meaningful addition to any CV as it demonstrates professional experience and familiarity with the industry. Such experience can strengthen your application and boost your chances of landing the job.  

If you’re in your final year of university, seek opportunities to gain experience quickly. Even short-term or informal experiences can illustrate valuable skills and knowledge to employers and make you stand out from other applicants.  

Consider these options:

• Volunteering: Highlights emotional intelligence, workplace experience and job-specific transferable skills.
• Personal projects: Demonstrates self-motivation, proactivity and insights into your strengths and interests.
• Internships or job shadowing: Shows initiative, industry awareness and relevant skills.
• Research opportunities: Reflects academic depth, research expertise and project-related skills.
• Tutoring or mentoring: Develops interpersonal skills, active listening and subject expertise.
• Student societies: Enhances teamwork, leadership and transferable skills relevant to your goals.

Final thoughts

Even if you have little or no professional experience, you can still craft a strong CV that helps you land a desirable job. A good CV is more than just a list of past roles: it should showcase your skills, potential and the value you bring to an employer. 

Many companies prioritise finding the right person for their team, and skills, education, potential and ambition all play a factor in the hiring process. 

To give yourself the best possible chance at securing your dream job, make sure your CV is clear, concise and professional. Focus on demonstrating your unique strengths, stick to the truth and avoid exaggerating. Use a clean, professional font, optimise your LinkedIn profile and proofread carefully for grammar and typing errors.

Above all, have confidence in the skills and enthusiasm you bring to the table. Your CV should reflect this in a polished and engaging way.

Looking for more guidance? IDP Hotcourses Abroad offers a range of career resources for international students. Explore top study destinations or discover the most in-demand skills to enhance your career prospects.