How to Write a CV with No Experience in 2025: Expert Guide for First-Time Job Seekers

  |  James Innes
     

How to Write a CV with No Experience in 2025: Expert Guide for First-Time Job Seekers

Are you without work experience and feeling like your CV is destined for the bin? Every career rockstar started somewhere, and your CV is one shot to impress, even with a blank work history.

In this 2025 guide from The CV Centre, I’ll show you how to turn your education, skills, and enthusiasm into a CV that grabs recruiters’ attention in those crucial six seconds. From crafting a killer personal statement to sneaking past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), we’ve got the tips to land you that first job. Ready to kick off your career? Let’s dive in!

 

Table of Contents

 

Why a CV Matters When You Have No Work Experience

Your CV is your first handshake with an employer, and for first-time job seekers, it’s a golden opportunity to showcase potential. Employers in 2025 are hunting for candidates with initiative, adaptability, and a hunger to learn - qualities you can highlight without a single job under your belt.

A well-crafted CV transforms your lack of experience into a fresh perspective, showing you’re ready to bring energy to entry-level roles. With many companies using ATS to filter CVs, a smartly formatted CV make sure you pass those pesky digital gatekeepers and reach human recruiters.

 

What to Include in a CV with No Experience

Here's how you can make yourself shine without a lengthy employment history. Don't worry, it's definitely possible! You might have already done it, so try our free CV review to check.

Personal Statement: Your First Impression

Your personal statement is your CV’s opening act - make it count! Without work experience, focus on your career goals, transferable skills, and what makes you unique. Keep it concise (3–5 sentences) and tailored to the job. For example:

“A motivated A-level student eager to launch a career in retail, bringing strong communication skills from school projects and a passion for customer service honed through volunteering. I’m excited to contribute enthusiasm and fast learning to your team.”

Education: Highlighting Your Academic Achievements

With no work history, your education is the star of the show. List qualifications in reverse chronological order, including institution, dates, and achievements like grades or awards. For recent graduates or students, add relevant coursework or projects. Example:

  • A-Levels, [School Name], 2023–2025: English (A), Maths (B), Biology (B)
    • Coursework: Marketing analysis project, exploring consumer behaviour trends
include coursework on consumer behaviour for marketing roles

Skills: Showcasing Transferable and Soft Skills

You’ve got those key skills, even if you don’t know it yet! Highlight skills like communication, teamwork, or problem-solving from school, volunteer work, or hobbies. Be specific with examples:

  • Communication: Delivered presentations in class, engaging diverse audiences.
  • Time Management: Balanced studies and extracurriculars, meeting tight deadlines. Include digital skills (e.g., Microsoft Office, social media) if relevant to the role.

Volunteering, Projects, and Extracurricular Activities

No job? No problem! Volunteering, school projects, personal projects, or extracurriculars can fill the gap. Describe what you did and the skills gained. Examples:

  • Volunteer, Local Food Bank, 2024: Organised donations and spoke to attendees, demonstrating financial literacy and interpersonal skills.
  • School Project2023: Led a team to design a mock website, enhancing coding skills.
  • Personal Project: 2021: Shot a short film, gaining confidence using Capcut editing software.
  • Debate Club, 2022–2024: Developed public speaking and critical thinking.

Remember:these activities should be outcome-oriented, so always mention the hard skills or soft skills you gained!

 

How to Structure Your First CV with No Experience

Here are the essentials, and how to put them all together!

Contact Information: Keep It Simple and Professional

At the top, include your name, phone number, professional email, and city. Optionally, add a LinkedIn profile if it’s polished.

Personal Statement at the Top

Place your personal statement right after contact details to hook recruiters immediately with your goals and skills.

Education Before Skills: Why Order Matters

List education before relevant skills to emphasise your academic foundation, especially for school leavers or graduates. This signals that your qualifications are your strongest asset.

Education first before skills

Additional Sections: Hobbies, Awards, and References

Include hobbies if they’re job-relevant (e.g., photography for creative roles). List awards like “Best Science Project” to show achievement. References aren’t needed unless requested - simply note “Available upon request.”

 

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a CV with No Experience

We'll now condense our expert advice into easy steps that you can follow.

Step 1: Start with a Strong Personal Statement

Write a tailored statement highlighting your goals and valuable skills. Reread the job posting to align your statement with the employer’s needs, and please, PLEASE don't forget those keywords!

Step 2: List Your Education and Achievements

Detail your qualifications, including institution, dates, and notable achievements (e.g., high grades, awards). Add relevant projects or coursework for context. If you got a First Class Degree, make sure you shout about it!

Step 3: Highlight Transferable Skills with Examples

List skills like communication or teamwork, backing each with a brief example from school or volunteering. This shows you’re ready for the role.

Step 4: Include Volunteering or Extracurricular Activities

Add experiences that demonstrate work ethic, like volunteering or clubs. Describe your role and skills gained to add value.

Step 5: Proofread and Format for Clarity

Check for typos and keep a clean and consistent format throughout (Arial, 10–12pt). Save as a PDF or Word document for ATS compatibility.

 

Examples of a CV with No Experience for Different Scenarios

Here are some effective CV examples we've conjured up for a cross section of candidates.

Example 1: School Leaver Applying for Retail

Personal Statement:

Motivated school leaver seeking a retail role, bringing strong communication skills from school projects and a passion for customer service from volunteering. Eager to contribute enthusiasm to a dynamic team.

Education:

  • GCSEs, [School Name], 2023: 7 grades 7–9, including English (8), Maths (7)

Skills:

  • Communication: Engaged customers during charity events
  • Teamwork: Collaborated on group assignments

Volunteering:

  • Charity Shop Volunteer, 2024: Assisted customers, organised stock

Example 2: Student Seeking a Part-Time Job

Personal Statement:

Dedicated university student pursuing a part-time hospitality role. With event-organising experience and strong time management, I’m ready to deliver excellent service.

Education:

BSc in Business, [University Name], 2023–Present (Expected 2026)

Skills:

  • Time Management: Balanced studies and extracurriculars
  • Digital Literacy: Proficient in Microsoft Office, Canva

Extracurriculars:

  • Event Coordinator, University Society, 2024: Planned events for 100+ attendees
Highlight relevant skills for hospitality

Example 3: Recent Graduate Targeting an Internship

Personal Statement:

Recent Computer Science graduate seeking a tech internship. My project developing a Python-based app honed my coding skills, and I’m eager to apply my problem-solving abilities.

Education:

BSc in Computer Science, [University Name], 2022–2025, 2:1

Skills:

  • Programming: Python, Java
  • Problem-Solving: Debugged complex code

Projects:

  • Built a task management app, improving user productivity by 20%

 

How to Highlight Transferable Skills

We'll talk you through how to make some of the things you already do a superpower!

Identifying Skills from Everyday Activities

You’ve developed skills through daily life - school, hobbies, or helping out at home.

  • Leadership: Organised a school event.
  • Teamwork: Played in a sports team.
  • Responsibility: Managed household tasks.

Examples of Transferable Skills for Entry-Level Roles

  • Communication: Presented ideas in class debates.
  • Problem-Solving: Resolved technical issues in projects.
  • Adaptability: Learned new software for assignments.

Include these in your skills section with brief examples to show relevance.

 

Tailoring Your CV for Specific Industries with No Experience

Here are some more examples for those without any experience!

Retail and Hospitality: Emphasising Customer Service Skills

Highlight people skills, teamwork, and adaptability. Example: “Volunteered at a café, serving customers and handling fast-paced environments.”

Tech and Creative Roles: Showcasing Projects and Creativity

Include coding projects, designs, or portfolios. Example: “Developed a website for a school project, using HTML and CSS.”

 

Optimising Your CV for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)

It's 2025 and unfortunately, a machine will decide your fate - so be prepared!

Using Keywords from Job Descriptions

To pass these systems, carefully read the job description and mirror its language in your CV. For example, if the ad mentions “customer service skills” for a retail role, include that exact phrase in your personal statement or skills section, like: “Developed customer service skills through volunteering at a local charity shop.” If the job requires “teamwork,” mention a school project where you collaborated with peers. This ensures your CV aligns with what the ATS is programmed to prioritize, increasing your chances of getting noticed.

Avoiding Common ATS Mistakes

ATS software can be picky, so avoid formatting errors that might cause it to misread your CV. Don’t use tables, headers, or footers within sections, as they can confuse the system - stick to plain text and bullet points. Avoid images, logos, or fancy graphics, as ATS can’t process them. Use standard fonts like Arial or Calibri (10–12pt) to ensure readability, and avoid special characters or emojis (yes, that smiley face won’t help!). Save your CV as a PDF or Word document, as these formats are ATS-friendly. By keeping it simple, you’ll ensure the system captures your qualifications accurately and passes your CV to the recruiter.

 

Pitfalls for First Job CVs

If you aren't getting that call back, these might apply to you.

Overloading with Irrelevant Details

It’s tempting to fill space when you lack experience, but don’t overdo it with irrelevant info. Listing every school club or childhood award can clutter your CV and dilute its impact. Focus on what’s relevant to the job - hobbies like gaming are great for tech roles if you tie them to skills like problem-solving, but leave out unrelated activities like “enjoying long walks.” Keep your CV concise, ideally one page, so that every line adds value to your application.

Using Unprofessional Language or Email Addresses

First impressions matter, and unprofessional language can send your CV straight to the bin. Avoid slang and keep your tone formal yet approachable. Your email address also needs to be professional - partyguru2000@email.com won’t cut it (even if you have been labelled as such in the past!).

Instead, use a simple format like firstname.lastname@email.com or a variation with your initials. If your usual email isn’t professional, create a new one for job applications. It’s a small step that signals you’re serious about your career.

Neglecting to Proofread

A single typo can make you look careless, and for entry-level roles, recruiters are looking for attention to detail. Spelling “teamwork” as “temwork” or listing the wrong dates for your education can raise red flags. Proofread your CV multiple times, reading it aloud to catch errors. Use tools like spellcheck, but don’t rely on them entirely—software might miss context errors (e.g., “lead” vs. “led”). Better yet, ask a trusted friend or family member to review it with fresh eyes. A polished CV shows you’re meticulous and ready to impress.

 

Kick Off Your Career in Style

Writing a CV with no experience is all about showcasing your potential. Highlight your education, skills, and enthusiasm, tailor your CV to each job, and keep it ATS-friendly. Avoid pitfalls like unprofessional emails or typos, and use examples to prove your abilities. With a clean format and a focus on relevance, you’re ready to impress.

Struggling to make your CV pop?

Let The CV Centre’s Student & Graduate CV Writing Service create a professional CV tailored for first-time job seekers.

Contact us today and launch your career with confidence!

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Do I Write A Personal Statement with No Experience?

Focus on your career goals, transferable skills, and enthusiasm for the role, even without work experience. For example: “A-level student eager for a retail role, bringing communication skills from school presentations and teamwork from group projects.” Tailor it to the job by researching the employer’s needs. Highlight your eagerness to learn and contribute, keeping it concise at 3–5 sentences. This shows recruiters your potential and sets a positive tone for your CV.

Should I Include Hobbies on my CV if I Have No Experience?

Yes, but only if they’re relevant to the role. For instance, if applying for a creative role, mention hobbies like photography: “Run a blog on sustainable fashion, showcasing writing skills.” Avoid unrelated hobbies like “watching TV” that don’t add value. Keep it brief, focusing on skills gained, such as creativity or time management. Relevant hobbies can make your CV stand out, showing personality and transferable skills without cluttering the page.

Can I Add School Projects to my CV with No Experience?

Absolutely, school projects are a great way to show skills when you lack work experience. For example: “Designed a mock website for a school project, using HTML, demonstrating creativity and technical ability.” List them under “Education” or a separate “Projects” section, focusing on outcomes and skills gained, like teamwork or problem-solving. This highlights your initiative and practical abilities, making your CV more compelling for entry-level roles where experience isn’t expected.

How Long Should my CV be if I have No Experience?

For entry-level roles, keep your CV to one page to maintain focus and readability. Emphasise education, skills, and relevant experiences like volunteering or projects, avoiding fluff. A concise CV ensures recruiters can quickly see your potential without wading through unnecessary details. Prioritise quality over quantity - every line should add value. A one-page CV is standard for beginners, showing you can be clear and professional even with limited experience.

What If I Don’t Have any Volunteering Experience for my CV?

Don’t worry - focus on extracurricular activities, online courses, school projects, or informal roles like babysitting to show your skills. For example: “Led a school club, developing leadership and organisation skills.” Even helping at home, like managing tasks, can demonstrate responsibility. Highlight proactivity and transferable skills like teamwork or time management to impress employers.

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