CV writing guide

How to write a CV when you have little work experience

A first CV can draw on study, projects, volunteering, community work and informal work. Show what you did, the skills you used and how it relates to the role.

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CV guide

No formal work history? Start with what you have done.

A clear example can come from study, a project, volunteering, community work or an informal job. Keep it relevant and honest.

Build your CV from the essentials

Contact: name, mobile number, email and city or area. A full street address is not needed for this template.
Profile: two or three sentences about the role you want and strengths you can support with an example.
Experience: include paid work, practicals, volunteering, school projects, community roles or informal work when relevant.
Skills: choose a few that fit the opportunity and say where you used them.
Finish: tailor it to one role, check spelling and dates, then save a clear PDF copy.

Turn a task into a useful example

Illustrative example

Task: helped organise a school event.

CV bullet: Coordinated a small class team to prepare event materials and set up the venue before guests arrived.

Use only details that are true for you. Add a result or number only if you can support it.

Keep private details private. Do not add an ID number, bank information, date of birth, photo, family details or copies of certificates to a basic CV template.