Writing your first CV with no work experience can feel daunting, but everyone starts somewhere. This guide shows you exactly what to include, how to highlight your strengths, and provides real examples to help you land your first job.
The Good News About Your First CV
Employers hiring for entry-level positions don't expect extensive work experience. They're looking for potential, enthusiasm, transferable skills, and the right attitude. Your education, projects, volunteering, and part-time work all count as valuable experience.
💡 Remember
78% of employers say they value transferable skills and attitude over direct work experience for entry-level roles.
First Job CV Structure
Recommended Order for First CV:
- Contact Information - Name, phone, email, location, LinkedIn
- Personal Statement - 3-4 sentences about your goals and strengths
- Education - Your strongest section - include details
- Work Experience - Part-time jobs, internships, volunteering
- Skills - Technical and soft skills relevant to the role
- Additional Sections - Projects, achievements, interests
Section-by-Section Guide
1. Personal Statement for First Job
Your personal statement should focus on:
- What you're studying/studied
- Key skills you've developed
- Your career goals and enthusiasm
- What you can offer the employer
✅ Example:
"Motivated Business Management graduate from University of Manchester with First Class Honours. Developed strong analytical and communication skills through group projects and a 6-month internship at Deloitte. Passionate about pursuing a career in management consulting and eager to apply my problem-solving abilities and business acumen to support client success."
2. Education Section (Your Strongest Asset)
For your first CV, education is your main selling point. Include MORE detail than you would later in your career:
EDUCATION
First Class BA (Hons) Business Management
University of Manchester | Sep 2021 - Jun 2024
- Relevant modules: Strategic Management (85%), Financial Analysis (82%), Marketing (78%)
- Dissertation: "Digital Transformation in UK Retail" (First Class - 78%)
- President of Business Society - organized 5 networking events with 200+ attendees
- Achieved Dean's List for academic excellence (top 10% of cohort)
A-Levels
St Mary's Sixth Form College | 2019 - 2021
Business Studies (A*), Mathematics (A), Economics (A)
💡 What to Include:
- • Degree classification and subject
- • Relevant modules with high grades
- • Dissertation/final project topic
- • University societies and leadership roles
- • Academic awards or achievements
- • A-Levels with grades (especially if strong)
- • GCSEs summary (e.g., "9 GCSEs including Maths & English (A*-B)")
3. Work Experience (Even Without "Real" Jobs)
Include ANY of these - they all count as experience:
✅ Counts as Experience:
- • Internships (paid or unpaid)
- • Part-time jobs (retail, hospitality)
- • Volunteering
- • Work placements
- • Summer jobs
- • Freelance work
- • Babysitting/tutoring
🎯 Focus On:
- • Transferable skills gained
- • Responsibilities handled
- • Achievements (with numbers)
- • Customer service experience
- • Teamwork examples
- • Problem-solving situations
Example - Part-Time Retail Job:
Sales Assistant | Tesco | Jun 2022 - Aug 2024
- Provided excellent customer service to 100+ customers daily in busy supermarket environment
- Handled cash transactions accurately, managing tills with £5,000+ daily turnover
- Trained 3 new staff members on store procedures and customer service standards
- Consistently achieved 95%+ customer satisfaction scores
- Promoted to supervisor role after 6 months due to strong performance
4. Skills Section for Entry-Level
Focus on skills you've gained through education, projects, and any work experience:
SKILLS
Technical Skills:
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Workspace, Basic HTML/CSS, Social Media Management
Soft Skills:
Communication, Teamwork, Time Management, Problem-Solving, Adaptability, Customer Service
Languages:
English (Native), Spanish (Intermediate - B1)
5. Additional Sections to Strengthen Your CV
University Projects
Showcase academic projects that demonstrate relevant skills:
Marketing Campaign Project
- Led team of 4 to create comprehensive marketing strategy for local startup
- Conducted market research with 200+ survey responses
- Developed social media campaign that gained 1,000+ engagements
- Achieved highest grade in class (85%)
Volunteering & Extracurricular
Demonstrates initiative, commitment, and transferable skills:
Volunteer Tutor | Local Community Centre | Sep 2023 - Present
- Tutor GCSE Maths to 5 students weekly, improving their grades by average of 2 levels
- Developed personalized learning plans for each student
- Demonstrates patience, communication skills, and commitment to helping others
Achievements & Awards
Any recognition you've received:
- Dean's List for Academic Excellence (2023, 2024)
- Winner, University Business Plan Competition (£1,000 prize)
- Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
- Grade 8 Piano (Distinction)
Complete First Job CV Example
EMILY JOHNSON
London, UK | 07700 900123 | emily.johnson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/emilyjohnson
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Motivated Business Management graduate from University of Manchester with First Class Honours. Developed strong analytical and communication skills through group projects and a 6-month internship at Deloitte. Passionate about pursuing a career in management consulting and eager to apply my problem-solving abilities and business acumen to support client success.
EDUCATION
First Class BA (Hons) Business Management
University of Manchester | Sep 2021 - Jun 2024
- Relevant modules: Strategic Management (85%), Financial Analysis (82%), Marketing (78%)
- Dissertation: "Digital Transformation in UK Retail" (First Class - 78%)
- President of Business Society - organized 5 networking events with 200+ attendees
A-Levels
St Mary's Sixth Form | 2019-2021: Business Studies (A*), Mathematics (A), Economics (A)
WORK EXPERIENCE
Business Analyst Intern | Deloitte | Jun 2023 - Dec 2023
- Supported consulting team in delivering £500K project for FTSE 100 client
- Conducted market research and competitor analysis for 3 client projects
- Created PowerPoint presentations for C-suite stakeholders
- Analyzed financial data using Excel to identify cost-saving opportunities worth £150K
Sales Assistant | Waterstones | Sep 2021 - May 2023
- Provided customer service to 50+ customers daily in busy bookshop
- Achieved 98% customer satisfaction rating
- Managed stock inventory and visual merchandising
- Trained 2 new staff members on till systems and customer service
SKILLS
Technical: Excel (Advanced), PowerPoint, Word, Tableau, SQL (Basic), Google Analytics
Professional: Data Analysis, Market Research, Stakeholder Communication, Project Support
Languages: English (Native), French (Intermediate - B1)
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Winner, University Business Plan Competition 2023 (£1,000 prize)
- Dean's List for Academic Excellence (2023, 2024)
- Volunteer Tutor, Local Community Centre (2022-Present)
Top Tips for First Job CVs
✅ Keep It to 1-2 Pages
One page is fine if you're truly entry-level. Two pages if you have internships and substantial university activities.
✅ Tailor to Each Job
Customize your personal statement and highlight relevant skills for each application. Use keywords from the job description.
✅ Use Numbers Wherever Possible
Even in part-time jobs: "Served 100+ customers daily", "Managed £5,000 daily till", "Trained 3 new staff"
✅ Emphasize Transferable Skills
Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management - these matter more than you think.
✅ Proofread Multiple Times
Typos are especially damaging on a first CV. Ask friends, family, or career services to review it.
What NOT to Include on Your First CV
❌ Avoid These:
- ✗
Photo
Unless applying for acting/modeling, don't include a photo on UK CVs
- ✗
Personal Details
No date of birth, marital status, or National Insurance number
- ✗
Irrelevant Hobbies
"Watching Netflix" or "Socializing with friends" add no value
- ✗
Lies or Exaggerations
Be honest - employers will verify qualifications and references
- ✗
"References Available Upon Request"
This is assumed - don't waste space stating it
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Key Takeaways
- Education is your strength - include detailed information
- All experience counts - part-time jobs, volunteering, projects
- Focus on transferable skills - communication, teamwork, problem-solving
- Quantify achievements - use numbers even for small accomplishments
- Tailor for each job - customize your personal statement and skills
- Keep it professional - proofread carefully and use a clean format