If you’re applying for your first-ever job or entering a new industry, creating a CV with no experience can feel daunting. You’re up against people who may have some experience under their belt, but it’s not the be-all and end-all.

Creating a CV with no experience is all about working with what you’ve got and highlighting your skills and achievements. Take a look at our tips and tricks for building out your CV and see if Adobe Express can help you land your dream job.

Editable CV examples with no experience.

Looking at CV templates with no experience can be a helpful starting point. You won’t only get an insight into how to structure your CV, but also what elements to include.

Adobe Express offers free, editable CV templates to help you discover what yours might look like. Get started with the below and leave a lasting impression in minutes.

What to include in your CV with no experience.

Your CV is an opportunity to showcase what makes you a good candidate. All good CVs follow a structure and include key elements that help you stand out. That way, employers can get a snapshot of what really matters.

Here’s what to put on a CV with no experience:

• Name. Your first name and surname should be the first items at the top of your CV. They can be aligned on the left, middle or right-hand side, depending on the style of your CV. Be careful to not include nicknames – this is your professional resume, after all.
• Contact details. You’ll need to include your phone number, postal address and email address as a minimum. Try not to use an old or unprofessional email. And if you have a LinkedIn account, include the URL to your profile.
• Personal statement or professional profile. A personal statement is a short paragraph where you introduce yourself and summarise your accomplishments and key skills. Keep it brief but impactful, and tailor your profile for each role you apply for.
• Education. List your qualifications and include details such as the title of your course, the name of the academic institution and the dates of study (month and year). Make sure to start with the most recent and work your way backwards.
• Key skills. Arguably one of the most important sections in your CV with no experience. Here you can focus on specialist knowledge skills, hard skills like IT, or soft skills such as communication, leadership or adaptability.
• Achievements. This is a great opportunity to shout about extra awards and accomplishments – whether it’s during an internship, volunteering or education. For example, winning a medal in sports, or being rewarded for the best presentation in class.
• Hobbies and interests. Including hobbies and interests on your CV can highlight your personality outside of work. This could be anything from travelling and art to cooking and sports. If they’re related to the role in some way – even better!

5 ways to show off your skills on a CV with no experience.

When putting together a CV, you might feel like you don’t have any relevant experience to refer to. But you’d be surprised what employers will find equally important. A little self-reflection can uncover some experiences that showcase your potential to be a great candidate.

Here are some things you can include on a CV with no work experience.

Extracurricular activities.

Were you part of a cultural club? Student council? What about a sports team? Including extracurricular activities in your CV can show your passion to develop new skills, explore your interests and work in a team. You can list these as bullet points, with information on average hours per week and the year.

Volunteering and charity work.

Volunteering can be just as valuable as work experience on your CV. It can demonstrate your commitment to the community, your ability to work with others and your passions and interests. Listing volunteer work also highlights that you have a range of transferable skills, such as problem solving, relationship building and interpersonal skills.

Include any languages you might know.

Believe it or not, having a second or third language can greatly improve your CV – even without any professional experience. It showcases your ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and your cultural awareness. This is especially useful for businesses with international clients or travel opportunities. If that’s the case, make sure to include this information in your personal statement.

Make the most of references.

References aren’t compulsory in this day and age. Still, they’re incredibly useful for others to vouch for your character, skills and work ethic. If references are requested by the employer, include them at the bottom of your CV, with brief details about the individual’s relationship with you. References could be previous and current employers, coaches and trainers, or professors and teachers. Alternatively, ask your contacts to leave a recommendation on your LinkedIn profile.

Shout about part-time jobs.

Although you may have no formal work experience, you can still include other part-time work if available. Maybe you tutored kids, babysat on the weekends, or helped a loved one out at their small business. Don’t shy away from adding this information, as it demonstrates your experience with customer service and other key skills.

5 CV tips for teenagers with no work experience.

If you’re a teen looking to take your first step on the job ladder, your CV might not be as detailed as other applicants. But don’t worry! Employers won’t expect you to have tons of experience right away – it’s about showing your potential.

So, whether you’re applying for a weekend job or eager for an apprenticeship, here’s what you can prioritise on your CV with no experience.

Focus on your school responsibilities.

Include any extra duties you may have taken on at school, like being the captain of a club or a prefect. Highlighting your additional responsibilities can showcase your reliability. Make sure to outline the skills you gained from it, such as organisation or management skills. This should ideally appear under your education section.

Mention any team sports or activities you do in school.

Highlight any activities you’ve done or are currently doing in school. These can showcase how you’ve used your skills to achieve results and how much of a team player you are. Whether it’s a sports team, a club or society, or theatre and arts, make them a primary focus of your CV.

Talk about your school achievements.

Your school achievements are a highlight of your CV. Not only do they demonstrate your soft skills, but they also prove your abilities and work ethic. These can be anything from gaining strong grades to winning competitions. Make sure to provide brief details in a separate section and use action words like ‘recognised’, ‘awarded’, ‘honoured’ or ‘accomplished’.

Highlight your education and coursework.

In a CV for teenagers with no work experience, your education carries plenty of weight. You’ll need to include the name of your school, its location and the dates you attended. From A-Levels to GCSEs, list the individual subjects and your grades.

Don’t forget personal projects.

If you have any personal projects in the works, like managing a website or creating a piece of art, include them on your CV. This will show that you’re a creative person who likes to take initiative. Similarly, if you’ve completed extra courses outside of school or received a personal certificate, list them in your education section.

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Good to know.

How long should a CV be with no experience?

A CV with no experience should be one page, or around 475-600 words in length. It’s normal for school-leavers, graduates and entry-level professionals to have a shorter CV than an experienced applicant. But avoid stretching out your CV with irrelevant details. Explore our free CV templates to bring your ideas to life.

Should I write “no experience” in my CV?

No, you don’t need to explicitly state that you have no experience on your CV. Instead, lean on certain words and phrases that show your willingness to work. For example, including ‘ready to learn’ or ‘looking to develop my career’ in your personal statement. Ultimately, your skills and accomplishments will do the talking.

What qualifications should be on a CV?

The qualifications you put on your CV should apply to the industry you’re pursuing. If you’re writing a CV with no experience, include qualifications in your education. Your GCSEs, A-Levels, degree or vocational training are great ones to add. Make sure to list these as bullet points and the dates obtained.

Is Adobe Express free?

Yes. The basic version of Adobe Express includes everything you need to start working creatively. Adobe Express offers thousands of design templates, images, videos and royalty-free photos, quick actions for processing images, as well as much more. You can create your own CV from scratch or choose from over a thousand free CV templates as a starting point.