Here are some strategies to boost your CV even without formal work experience:

  1. Highlight your strongest qualities.
  2. Begin with a compelling personal statement.
  3. Emphasise professional skills over job titles.
  4. Include relevant soft skills, even if they seem obvious.
  5. Treat extracurricular activities as work experience.
  6. Showcase the relevance of your degree.
  7. Infuse some personality into your CV.

When writing your CV, focus on demonstrating your abilities through practical examples, such as volunteer work, group projects, or leadership roles in clubs and organisations. Think creatively about how these experiences reflect valuable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, or communication. On top of that, tailoring each section to the position you’re applying for will help you make a strong impression, even without a formal work history.

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with LiveCareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.