How to write a CV with no experience [kick start your career]

Learn how to write a CV when you have no experience, with this step-by-step video guide. Chapters below.

Writing a CV when you have no work experience can be challenging, but with the right approach, anybody can write a CV that will get them noticed by employers and land job interviews.

Guide contents

- What is a CV? And what is it’s purpose?

- Who reads your CV? And what are they looking for?

- How to format and structure your CV to make it look professional and easy-to-read

- How to write a CV profile, the introductory paragraph at the top of your CV

- How to highlight your achievements and core skills
- What to write about in your CV when you have no work experience

- How to detail your education and qualifications
- How to use your hobbies and interests to showcase valuable workplace skills

- 2 ways to boost your CV before you start writing it

You can also check out our other videos for more CV writing advice, and here are some helpful links from the StandOut CV website.

First CV template & guide:

School leaver CV writing guide:

39 CV mistakes to avoid:

[chronica]

I like it when the CVs ask who I am
Well, buddy, I've been trying to figure that out as well

[kiazst]

Bit sad that I’m at 21 and needing this kind of help, but no one ever teaches you how to get a job or what you need. If you drop out of uni there’s no clear path forward for your career so I’m just going to have to hope that I can get hired I guess.

[laggingjaeger]

17, still in school, forced to prepare a CV in order to apply for some Volunteering work. Quite the vicious cycle I'm stuck in right now: No work experience to put when it's required of me. It also doesn't help I have no idea what redeeming qualities I have. Hell, I can feel honest about Skills and whatnot, but I don't think I have anything that others would look for into a recruit. I'm honestly torn and don't know what to do. Can't believe a simple CV got me on the verge of an existential crisis.

[TSalvador]

I'm 17 and have been rejected from over 12 jobs I'm gonna start to improve my CV 🤣🤣😭😭
Edit: 18 now over 20 applications still no interview lol
Edit 2: 18 years of age and at University finally landed a job at Sainsbury’s 😂
Edit 3: I forgot to update but a month after that I got fired from Sainsbury's age 19 now lmao

[CupcakeRiyoko]

I legit have no hobbies and interest to write about other than "Tv shows and youtube" lol

[grahammarsden]

The most important thing is having a friend to speak up for you and put a word in for you . Most managers go for younger people because they pay them less.

[HM-kfod]

I’m 17 and feel I am ready for a job now
It took time because I was really anxious and shy but at this point I don’t want to be a burden anymore
I hope I’ll get one

[FearlessDreams]

I love the style and the tips. I would definitely recommend to all the people with no experience to just do more extra curricular courses / activities that will later benefit them in their careers.

[juiamseoqhusoaeos]

Well, I’m an admin of a WhatsApp group.

[captainkid]

posted 2years ago and really help me a lot on creating a cv up to this day great video.

[siamsama]

The most helpful bit was the voluntary and vocational work that you mentioned at the end. Well that's helpful in regards to me anyway haha

[kissedbyfireskye]

I’ve been hairdressing/barbering since I was 19 and 30 now and really want to change career completely it’s knocking my confidence and feeling lost about change without experience. Fingers crossed I’ll find something!

[Kashi]

Hi, this is great content!

I work with young people specifically, sixteen to eighteen-year-olds who have little to no GCSEs and work experience. Can you advise me on how I can help them draft a CV that a recruiter will still look at, please? Thanks you

[vix]

Please remember, it’s not just young people who have no experience. Older people can do too. Life doesn’t always go the way you’d expect it to.

I left school with no knowledge of how to make a cv at all, failed college twice then became a mother. I tried finding work 16-18, but no one would bother with me not only because I had no experience but mainly because I have bad GCSE results (due to awful schooling and Dyscalculia left unnoticed). Over the years I failed Uni, took some free courses to upgrade my English & Maths result and some I.T. qualifications (that are now probably too old).

I continued to be ignored until 29! Then I just happened to luckily get my current cleaning job via a friend (that requires no GCSE’s).

11yrs later, I’m stuck, still with no knowledge of how to write a cv, still with bad GCSE’s (that will cost a fortune to redo) and wanting to get a proper career in an office. BUT my lack of experience is still a problem and gets me ignored still.

GOOD GCSE’s results and A-levels are essential to be noticed more when applying for jobs imo. No or little experience hinders you more when you’re older. When you’re young, you have plenty of time to correct things and volunteer for experience or go for NVQs. The high expectations and requirements for many jobs punish both young and old alike. But more than often younger get hired due to cheaper wage payouts. IMO companies need to change their minds and think about how their choices and demands reflect upon them, society and their sector.

[despacito_spajder]

people now aren't interesting (including me of course), but thank you for making this as an easily swallowing pill as possible

[whipy]

How about a cv for when you're 40 and want to switch careers, but have no 2-5 years of relevant experience? For example, I'm a translator who wants to get into copywriting and social media management.

[bltbmtv]

I am 17 and I do not know anything about a CV. Thanks a lot and I hope to be admitted in the college haha. SUPPORT FROM HONGKONG!

[JessHughes]

Im starting to look for jobs now that ive finished high school but nobody ever showed me what to put on a cv so thank you :)

[swankitydankity]

Thanks! This was a very useful guide for me as I had no idea where to start.

[hnxbgnw]

That is the great way to write cv with no experiens it helps me more thank you so mach keep it going up dear.