How to Write a CV With No Experience: UK First-Job Guide
“No experience” rarely means “nothing to put on a CV”. For a first job, the challenge is to turn education, responsibilities, projects, volunteering and everyday evidence into information an employer can use.
Choose a target before writing the CV
A first CV is much easier to write when it has a destination. A retail assistant, warehouse operative, care assistant and teaching assistant need different evidence even when the candidate has never held a formal job.
Pick one role type, read several vacancies and identify the qualities employers repeat. Then build the CV around those requirements.
Write a short profile that is specific, not inflated
You do not need to call yourself a “highly experienced professional”. Say what you are aiming for, what relevant strengths you can show and what environment you are ready to work in.
For example: “Reliable college leaver seeking a warehouse role, with practical experience working to deadlines through coursework and volunteering. Comfortable with physical tasks, team working and following safety instructions.”
Treat education as evidence
List your education clearly, but go beyond the qualification names when a project or subject is relevant. Group work can show teamwork; presentations can show communication; coursework deadlines can show planning; practical modules can show technical skills.
Keep it honest and concise. The goal is to connect real activity to the job, not turn every lesson into a workplace achievement.
Include unpaid experience that proves useful skills
Volunteering, caring responsibilities, sports teams, clubs, school responsibilities, community activity and personal projects can all be relevant when they demonstrate something the employer needs.
Use the same evidence-led approach as paid work: what did you do, who did you support, what standards did you follow and what changed because of your contribution?
Build a useful skills section
Choose skills that appear in the target role and that you can support with an example. Depending on the role, that might include customer service, teamwork, cash handling, Microsoft Office, stock handling, safeguarding awareness, communication or time management.
Avoid filling the page with generic words such as motivated, passionate and hard-working without any evidence.
Keep the format simple
A first CV does not need to be two full pages. One well-structured page can be enough when the content is relevant and readable.
Use clear headings, conventional fonts and straightforward dates. Save decorative graphics for a portfolio if the job actually requires one.
First-CV questions
What can I put under employment history if I have never had a job?
Use a section such as “Experience” and include volunteering, placements, projects or responsibilities that provide relevant evidence.
Should I include GCSEs?
For a first job, yes when they are recent or when the vacancy asks for specific subjects such as English and maths.
Can I use a generic CV for every first job?
You can keep a master version, but changing the profile, skills and most relevant evidence for each role type usually makes the application clearer.
Check your CV against the role you want
Choose a target job title in the ApplyWell checker or paste the real vacancy to see where your CV could be more relevant, clearer or easier to parse.
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