How do I write a CV with no experience?

Lead with education, projects and skills, then add part-time work, volunteering and activities. For each item, describe what you did and what changed as a result. Keep it to one or two pages, depending on the market.

Should I take a job outside my field?

Often it is a sensible step. Customer service, sales, administration and similar roles build communication and organisation skills that employers in almost every field value, and they show reliability.

When should I start applying?

Many graduate schemes and internships open well before graduation, and some close early, so check deadlines during your final years of study. Smaller employers often hire closer to the start date.

Career guide

Starting your career as a student or graduate

Your first job search can feel confusing, especially when many adverts ask for experience. The good news is that employers hiring students and graduates often look for potential: willingness to learn, reliability, communication and evidence that you can finish what you start.

You probably have more to show than you think. University projects, part-time jobs, volunteering, clubs and online tests can all demonstrate skills, as long as you describe them clearly and connect them to the job you want.

Create a free account See open jobs

What the work looks like

Supporting a team with research, administration or customer tasks
Learning internal systems, processes and ways of working
Taking part in training, shadowing and feedback conversations
Contributing to projects and gradually taking on more responsibility
Building relationships with colleagues and mentors

First roles

Intern or placement student
Graduate trainee or graduate scheme participant
Junior assistant or coordinator in your chosen field
Part-time or temporary roles that build transferable skills

How to start

Explore fields through career guides such as accounting or data analysis, and pick two or three that interest you.
Prove skills with free online tests and add the results to your applications.
Add a strong university project and ask your supervisor to confirm it, so it carries more weight with employers.
Gain experience through internships, volunteering or part-time work, even outside your main field.
Create a concise, ATS-friendly CV with the CV builder; for university or research roles, try the academic CV builder.
Browse openings on the careers page and tailor each application to the advert.

Skills employers look for

Prove these with a free test, or read the guide for each one.

Learning AgilityFree test Guide
Logical ReasoningFree test Guide
Problem SolvingFree test Guide
CommunicationFree test Guide
Time ManagementFree test Guide
TeamworkFree test Guide

Your CV for each market

Articles

Common questions

How do I write a CV with no experience?: Lead with education, projects and skills, then add part-time work, volunteering and activities. For each item, describe what you did and what changed as a result. Keep it to one or two pages, depending on the market.
Should I take a job outside my field?: Often it is a sensible step. Customer service, sales, administration and similar roles build communication and organisation skills that employers in almost every field value, and they show reliability.
When should I start applying?: Many graduate schemes and internships open well before graduation, and some close early, so check deadlines during your final years of study. Smaller employers often hire closer to the start date.