How to write a graduate CV when you have little experience

With limited work history, a graduate CV has to work harder to show potential. The good news: employers hiring graduates expect this, and value structure, evidence and clarity over a long career.

Put education and projects to work

Your degree, modules, dissertation and projects are evidence. Pull out the ones relevant to the role and describe what you did and learned, not just the title.

Use placements, part-time work and volunteering

Any role where you turned up, worked with people and delivered something counts. Frame the transferable parts - reliability, teamwork, customer handling - with specifics.

Lead with a focused profile

Three or four lines: who you are, the role you're targeting, and one or two genuine strengths backed by an example. Avoid empty phrases like 'hard-working team player' on their own.

Keep it to one page, cleanly formatted

Early in a career, one well-structured page usually beats a padded two. Standard headings, single column, no graphics.

Show evidence, not adjectives

'Led a team of five on a final-year project that delivered on deadline' beats 'excellent leadership skills'. Specific examples are believable; adjectives aren't.

Starting out and want a CV that makes your experience count? Book a free CV review.