You have more than you think
Employers hiring for first jobs, apprenticeships and entry-level roles don't expect a long work history. They're looking for signs that you're reliable, willing to learn, and able to work with others. You can show all of that without a single previous job.
- School or college — subjects, grades, coursework and any projects.
- Volunteering — helping at events, charities, clubs or in your community.
- Responsibilities — caring for family, captaining a team, running a group chat that actually organises people.
- Hobbies that build skills — coding, editing videos, gaming communities you help run, sport, music.
Lead with a short profile and your strengths
Open with two or three lines that say who you are and what you're looking for, then a skills section. Because you're not leading with job history, your skills, attitude and potential do the heavy lifting. Be specific: "comfortable learning new software quickly" beats "good with computers".
Show, don't just claim
Back up each strength with a tiny bit of evidence. "Reliable" is stronger as "never missed a shift volunteering at the weekend food bank for a year". "Team player" is stronger as "organised a five-a-side team, sorting fixtures and getting everyone there".
Keep it clean and honest
One page is plenty. Use a simple layout, check every word, and never invent experience — it tends to unravel at interview. Confidence about what you can do beats exaggerating what you've done.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I write a CV with no job experience?
Yes. Build it around your education, projects, volunteering, responsibilities and skills. Employers hiring for first jobs and apprenticeships expect this and look for potential and reliability.
What skills should a student put on a CV?
Practical, specific ones: communication, teamwork, organisation, problem-solving, plus any tools or technical skills (spreadsheets, editing software, coding, languages). Give a small example of each where you can.
How do I make a first CV stand out?
Be specific and back up claims with tiny bits of evidence, tailor it to the role, keep it to one clean page, and proofread carefully. Genuine, concrete detail stands out more than buzzwords.
Should I include GCSEs and A-levels?
Yes — for students and school or college leavers, list your qualifications and grades. As you gain experience and higher qualifications, you can summarise the earlier ones.
Written and reviewed by the Career Agenting System team at Culture & Clarity Limited · Last reviewed August 2026 · Our editorial standards