What Should You Put on Your First CV?

Introduction

Writing your first CV can feel like a difficult task. You open a blank document and immediately run into a problem. You don't have years of work experience, a long list of previous employers or a collection of impressive job titles to fill the page.

So, what are you supposed to put on it?

The answer is more than you might think. You don't need years of employment history to have something worth putting on a CV.

Your first CV is an opportunity to show an employer who you are, what you're capable of and what you've already done. That experience does not have to come from a traditional job.

This article will go over some of the things you can include.

1. Education

Your education is one of the most important sections of your first CV, particularly if you have limited work experience.

Include your current or most recent school, college or university, along with the qualifications you have achieved or are working towards.

You don't necessarily need to list every subject you've ever studied. Focus on qualifications and subjects that are relevant to the opportunity you're applying for.

Your education can demonstrate more than academic ability too. Completing coursework, meeting deadlines and working towards qualifications can all demonstrate useful workplace skills.

• For example, if you're applying for a digital role, you might highlight computing, IT or relevant coursework.
• If you're applying for an apprenticeship in business, you could mention relevant business studies or projects.

2. Skills

Think about the skills you've developed through education, activities, responsibilities and everyday life.

Try not to simply create a long list of skills without explaining them. Instead, think about where you've used them.

For example, saying "leadership" tells an employer very little on its own.

Saying "captained my local football team, organising training and helping the team prepare for matches" gives them something concrete to understand.

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Organisation
• Time management
• Problem solving
• Creativity
• Leadership
• Digital skills
• Customer service
• Attention to detail

3. Projects

Projects can be particularly valuable when you don't have much formal work experience.

Perhaps you built a website, created a video, designed something, organised an event, developed an app or completed a significant school or college project.

These experiences show initiative and demonstrate that you can take an idea and turn it into something tangible.

For each project, briefly explain:

• What did you do?
• Why did you do it?
• What did you learn?
• What was the result?

4. Volunteering

Volunteering absolutely counts as experience.

Whether you've helped at a charity shop, supported a community event, coached younger people, volunteered at a sports club or helped with a local organisation, you've probably developed skills that employers value.

Volunteering can demonstrate reliability, communication, teamwork, responsibility and a willingness to contribute. Don't be tempted to leave it off your CV simply because you weren't paid. The experience you gained still matters.

5. Hobbies and interests

You don't need to include every hobby you've ever had, but relevant interests can help give an employer a better idea of who you are.

The key is to explain what your interests demonstrate rather than simply writing: "Hobbies: Football, music, gaming and socialising."

Think about what you've actually done and what you've learned through those activities.

• Playing in a sports team could demonstrate teamwork and commitment.
• Photography could demonstrate creativity and attention to detail.
• Gaming could involve problem solving, communication or technical skills.
• Writing a blog could demonstrate communication and initiative.
• Learning a language could demonstrate determination and curiosity.

6. Caring responsibilities

This is something many young people overlook. If you have caring responsibilities for a family member, you may have developed significant skills that are relevant to the workplace.

Managing appointments, organising schedules, dealing with unexpected situations and balancing responsibilities alongside education can demonstrate organisation, reliability, patience and resilience.

You don't have to share personal or medical details, simply describe the responsibilities and the skills you've developed if you feel comfortable doing so. Your circumstances should not automatically be seen as a gap in your experience. In many cases, they are evidence of responsibility.

7. Personal projects

Have you ever started something simply because you were interested in it?

These activities can demonstrate curiosity, creativity, initiative and problem solving. You don't need to have turned your hobby into a successful business for it to be worth mentioning.

• Started a YouTube channel
• Built a website
• Sold products online
• Created artwork
• Repaired bikes
• Built computers
• Started a podcast
• Created social media content
• Learned to code
• Designed a game
• Run a small online business

What if I really have no experience?

That's okay, your first CV isn't supposed to look like the CV of someone who has been working for 20 years.

Instead of trying to make yourself look more experienced than you are, focus on showing what you can offer. Think about the things you've done at school, college, university, at home, in your community or in your own time, because you may have more experience than you realise.

Keep your first CV simple

You don't need to fill your CV with complicated language or make it several pages long. For most first applications, a clear one-page CV is enough.

A simple structure could be:

You can then adjust the sections depending on the opportunity you're applying for.

If you're applying for a technology apprenticeship, your coding project might deserve more attention.

If you're applying for a customer service role, your volunteering or part-time work might be more relevant.

• Name and contact details
• Personal summary
• Education
• Skills
• Projects and experience
• Volunteering
• Interests

Tailor your CV to the opportunity

Before sending your CV, read the job advert again. What skills does the employer mention? What are they actually looking for?

Then make sure the most relevant parts of your experience are easy to find. You don't need to completely rewrite your CV for every application. A few small changes can make a big difference.

Your CV is about potential, not just experience

Your first CV isn't a test of how much you've achieved before turning 18, 21 or 24.

It's a chance to show an employer what you've done so far and what you could bring to their organisation. You may not have years of employment history, and that's completely normal. Your first CV doesn't need to prove that you're already an experienced professional. It needs to show that you're ready for your first opportunity.