Writing your first CV feels hard because the biggest section, work history, is empty. That is normal. Every worker started with no experience, and employers who hire for entry-level jobs know this. They are not looking for a long list of past jobs. They want to see that you are reliable, willing to learn and easy to contact.
A good first CV is short, honest and easy to read on a phone. It shows what you have studied, what you can do, and what you have done outside paid work. Helping in a family shop, volunteering, school projects and caring for relatives all teach real skills that employers value.
This guide explains what to put in each part of the CV, in what order, and which mistakes to avoid. You do not need special software or a designer. A simple document with clear headings is enough, and you can write the whole thing in one evening.
🧱 The Parts of a First CV
Keep your CV to one page. Use the same order that most employers expect, so they can find things quickly.
| Section | What to write |
|---|---|
| Contact details | Full name, phone number with country code, email, city and country |
| Short profile | Two or three lines about who you are and the job you want |
| Education | Highest level first, with the year you finished |
| Skills | Five to eight skills that match the job advert |
| Other experience | Volunteering, family business, projects, short courses |
| Languages | Each language and your level: basic, good or fluent |
✍️ How to Write Each Section
- Start with clean contact details Use a phone number you answer every day and an email address that looks professional, based on your name. Check every digit twice. One wrong number means the employer cannot reach you.
- Write a short profile Say what you have finished, what kind of work you want and one strength. Example: “Recent school leaver looking for a warehouse helper role. Punctual, physically fit and comfortable with shift work.”
- List your education Write the name of the school or training centre, the qualification and the year. Add good marks or a relevant subject only if they help.
- Choose skills from the job advert Read the advert and note the words it uses, such as “teamwork”, “basic computer use” or “customer service”. If you truly have that skill, use the same words.
- Add other experience Describe unpaid work like a job: what you did, for how long, and what result it had.
- Finish with languages and availability State when you can start and whether you can work shifts or weekends.
💡 What Counts as Experience
Many first-time applicants leave this part empty when they do have something to say. Think about the last two or three years and write down anything where you had a responsibility.
- Helping in a family shop, farm, workshop or food stall
- Volunteering at a community event, place of worship or charity
- School projects, group presentations or class leader roles
- Caring for younger children or older relatives
- Sports teams, clubs or youth groups
- Short courses in computers, language, driving or first aid
- Small paid tasks such as tutoring, deliveries or repairs
Write these with an action word first. “Served customers and handled cash at a family grocery shop on weekends for two years” is much stronger than “helped at home”.
📱 Layout and Format
- One page only
- One simple font
- Clear section headings
- Short bullet points
- Saved as a PDF file
- File named with your name
Avoid tables with many columns, bright colours and decorative borders. Many employers open CVs on a phone or through software, and a plain layout is read correctly more often. Check the rules of the country you are applying to before adding a photo, age or marital status. Some employers ask for them and others prefer that you leave them out.
🚫 Mistakes to Avoid
- Lying about experience. Interviewers ask simple follow-up questions, and false claims fall apart quickly.
- Spelling mistakes. Ask a friend or teacher to read the CV before you send it.
- One CV for every job. Change the profile and the skills list a little for each advert.
- Too much personal detail. Do not add passport numbers, bank details or national ID numbers.
- Long paragraphs. Use short lines that can be read in ten seconds.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long should my first CV be?
One page is enough. If it runs longer, cut repeated points and old details that do not relate to the job.
Should I write “no experience” on my CV?
No. Leave out the work history heading and use “Other experience” or “Projects and activities” in its place. Show what you have done, not what is missing.
Do I need a cover letter as well?
If the advert asks for one, yes. Keep it to four or five sentences: the job you want, why you fit, and when you can start.
Can I write my CV on a phone?
Yes. Free document apps let you type, add headings and save as a PDF. Open the saved file once to check that it looks right.
Who can I use as a reference?
A teacher, trainer, community leader or someone you helped with work. Ask their permission first, and do not use close family members.
