Your CV when you don't have experience (yet)
"No experience" doesn't mean "nothing to say"
Even without a job under your belt, you have plenty to work with: studies, projects, internships, volunteering, extracurriculars, transferable skills. The trick is to frame them as value for the employer, not as filler.
The right structure: the functional CV
When you have no work history, the functional (skills-based) format beats the chronological one: put what you can do at the top, grouped into areas, and only then your education and minor experiences. That way the recruiter's eye lands on your abilities straight away.
What to include, section by section
- A goal-focused opening profile: 2-3 lines on who you are and what you're after.
- Education: qualification, grade if it's strong, dissertation or relevant projects.
- Projects and hands-on experience: project work, internships, volunteering, competitions.
- Skills: hard skills (tools, languages) and soft skills, each with a concrete example.
- Extras: certifications, courses, activities that show initiative.
Turn studies and projects into results
Not "I did a university project" but "I led a team of 4 on a marketing project, pitched it to a real client and scored top marks". Even unpaid, there's always a result worth telling.
Sample opening profile
> Recent IT graduate looking for a first role as a junior developer. Experience with personal Python projects and teamwork built through sport. Reliable, curious and a fast learner.
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Frequently asked questions
What do I put on my CV if I've never worked?
Education, school or university projects, internships, volunteering, extracurriculars (team sports, clubs) and transferable skills. Anything that shows commitment and ability counts.
Chronological or functional CV — which is better?
With no experience, a functional (skills-based) format works better: it puts what you can do front and centre instead of a timeline of jobs you don't have yet.
How do I write the opening profile?
In 2-3 goal-focused lines: who you are, what you're looking for and what you can offer. Example: "Recent economics graduate seeking a first role in marketing, with project-work experience and strong analytical skills."
Do transferable skills really matter?
Yes: communication, teamwork, problem solving and reliability are in high demand for junior profiles. The key is to prove them with an example, not just list them.
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