First job
Student CV with no experience: example and template
This example is for students looking for their first job, a placement, an internship or casual work during their studies, and for final year students who want to start work in their field after graduating.
The employer knows that a student does not yet have years of experience. They want to see what you have learned, what you have done outside classes and how you combine work with studies. We show you how to describe this on your CV.
How to write a student CV
Professional summary
Write which course and year you are in, what you are looking for and what you can already do. Add one or two specific achievements, for example a project, an event or casual work. Also give how many hours a week you can work, because the employer will ask about it at once.
Second year computer science student. I programme in Python and JavaScript and built a timetable app used by 150 students in my faculty. I am looking for a paid placement as a junior developer, 24 hours a week.
Experience: duties and achievements
As experience list casual work, placements, a student research club, a student organisation, volunteering and projects. Describe each of them like a job: what you did and what the result was. Numbers help even in small projects.
Weaker: Member of a research club.
Better: Co-organising a student conference for 200 participants.
Weaker: Running social media.
Better: Running the club's social media profile, 60% more followers.
Weaker: Working at a café.
Better: Serving customers at peak times and training new staff.
Skills worth listing
List software, languages and skills you can show with examples. In your soft skills focus on those you have proved in projects or work, for example managing your time while working and studying.
Professional skills
- Office software
- Tools from your course
- Foreign languages
- Social media
- Data analysis
- Organising events
Personal skills
- Time management
- Willingness to learn
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Responsibility
Courses and certificates
List language certificates, online courses with a specific topic and date, training from student organisations and scholarships. Do not list every webinar, choose those that match the job ad.
Student CV with no work at all
If you have not worked, focus on class projects, your thesis, a student research club and volunteering. Describe them in the experience or projects section.
Add your grade average if it is high, a student exchange and scholarships. Early in your career this is important information.
Tailoring your CV to the job offer
For a placement at a company show projects and tools from your course, for casual work availability and customer service, and for an internship at a corporation English and a student organisation. Move to the top what the job ad is about.
Questions and answers
What should a student with no experience put on a CV?
Course and year, projects, a research club, student organisations, volunteering, casual work, skills, languages and availability.
Do student projects count as experience?
Yes. Describe them like a job: what you did, with what result and with which tools.
Should a student put their grade average on a CV?
Yes, if it is high. Early in your career it is extra proof of commitment.
Is casual work unrelated to your course worth putting on a CV?
Yes. It shows responsibility, customer service and that you can combine work with studies.