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How To Write a CV With No Experience

10 Sep 2024

A curriculum vitae (CV) is a vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to securing a full-time or part time job. 

But if you’ve left school, college or have gaps between roles  and you haven’t got much experience behind you, knowing what to put on your CV can be challenging. Afterall, your CV needs to stand out from a sea of applicants, so that you can grab the attention of the hiring manager. 

There may also be instances where you’ve come across the same infuriating dilemma time and time again. You need experience to get a job (even if it is entry level), but you need a job so that you can gain experience. It's a catch-22. 

At Ingeus, we understand just how difficult writing a CV can be; especially when you don’t have the perceived experience behind you. Follow our handy guide for tips.

How to write a CV step by step 

Get to know what a CV looks like (and choose a template) 

First things first, it’s important to familiarise yourself with what a CV looks like and the components that go in them. 

There are a wealth of CV templates available. If you’ve just come out of school or college then you may find a school leavers template the most useful. If you’ve got breaks in your career or educational history, then a career gap template may help you communicate this. 

Include your personal information

First name and last name 
You should include your first and last name on your CV (your middle name is optional). We recommend leaving out any nicknames. Whilst your friends may refer to you as Bingo Ben, it isn’t something a future employer really needs to know. 

Age
You can include your date of birth if you want, but you don’t have to, due to the Equality Act of 2010.

Nationality 
It is up to you whether you want to include your nationality or race - this isn’t a requirement, unless you’re applying for a government job. 

Contact information
If you don’t include your contact details, potential employers can’t get in touch, so it’s important you provide accurate and up to date information. 

If your email address isn’t very professional (yes, we’re talking about the likes of scatman69@webadress.com or twilightfan4eva@webaddress.co.uk), it’s time to register for a more professional email address. Something as simple as your first name, last name and year of birth will do. 

If there’s a certain time of day that you can’t answer the phone - then you should make a note of your availability. 

Sell yourself in your personal profile

Your personal profile sits at the top of your CV and holds a lot of power; think of it as a sales pitch. It takes recruiters an average of 6 seconds to scan a CV, so it’s important to capture their attention immediately. 

Your statement should tell prospective employers and professionals who you are, your future career goals, and any skills and strengths you have. Where possible, you should tailor your personal statement for the specific job you’re applying for, so that it really stands out. The starting paragraph should be around 75 to 100 words and 3 to 4 sentences. Here are a few examples of great personal profiles: 

“A determined school leaver with a commitment to pursuing a career in hospitality. Undertook work experience at a Toby Carvery (Mitchells & Butlers), demonstrating a natural aptitude in the kitchen, interacting with customers with ease, and providing service with a smile. Played a key role in the school’s successful football team. Excited to secure an entry-level role with a restaurant or pub kitchen, which will provide opportunities for further development and progression.” 

“An ambitious college graduate with 3 A-Levels and 6 GCSEs, looking to pursue a career in construction.  I am an enthusiastic, energetic individual who approaches every task and challenge with a positive attitude. I play a key role in the local cricket club and understand the importance of teamwork and communication. I aim to secure an apprenticeship or entry-level role with a construction company, so that I can develop and grow my skill set for future opportunities.” 

Think about your transferable skills

In most instances, a CV has a ‘Work Experience’ section but if you don’t have any work experience to put in there, you should change this to a ‘Key Skills’ section. You should aim to have 3 to 4 skills that align with the job you’re applying for. 

If you’re thinking, ‘I don’t have any skills’, you’re wrong! Everyone has transferable skills; you just need to find a way to demonstrate this on your CV.  

A transferable skill is a skill or strength that can be applied to a variety of situations and roles. Transferable skills include: 

• Communication,
• Team work, 
• Computer skills, 
• Time management,
• Creative and critical thinking, 
• Leadership and more. 

Don’t be afraid to include any hobbies or interests

Think outside the job, and include your hobbies and interests on your CV. This will not only give prospective employers further insight into who you are as a person, but is a great way to demonstrate any transferable skills, qualities and potential experience. Here are some examples: 

Are you part of a Dungeon and Dragons group? Then you’re a creative story teller who  understands the importance of communication, teamwork and problem solving. 

Do you have an Instagram page dedicated to fashion or another subject? Then you’ll have experience in driving engagement on social media and communicating with followers. 

Do you enjoy running? Then you’re a self motivator with great determination and time management. 

Are you an avid gamer who spends time playing Call Of Duty, Fifa or any other game? Then you’re a team player with excellent computer skills. You can think on your feet, problem-solve, and multi-task. 

Are you a bookworm? Then you’ve got exceptional literacy skills and reading skills, along with excellent attention to detail. 

It’s all about reframing your hobbies to sound like jobs, and looking at the experience you’ve gained from them. 

If you’re still not sure on how to reframe your skills, then check out TikTok. There are several helpful  accounts that can give you inspiration on how to do this. We recommend @thefairyjobmother to @paddyjobsman and @cvmonkey. 

Proofread! 

Proofreading is arguably one of the most important (and sometimes the hardest) parts of writing a CV. It’s crucial that your CV flows and there’s no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. It’s always worth asking a friend or family member to check over your CV, just in case you’ve missed anything. 

When you’re proofreading, you should also think about any buzzwords you can add in. If a recruiter is using an applicant tracking system (ATS), they’ll be scanning for keywords such as leadership, management or teamwork. These keywords will usually be mentioned on the job description, so keep an eye out.