Creating a CV with no experience

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CV Whizz Team

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Updated on September 8, 2025

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Whether you’re applying for your first job, looking to change careers, or returning to work after a break, writing a CV with no experience can feel quite overwhelming.

The good news is that a strong CV doesn’t depend only on your work history. By focusing on your skills and achievements, you can still stand out to recruiters and potential employers.

With the help of this guide and our online CV builder, the whole process of writing your CV is simplified. Check this guide to find out how to create a CV that makes a strong first impression, even with no experience.

How to write a CV for a job with no experience

When it comes to writing a CV for a job application, it’s crucial to use language that reflects the tone and requirements of the job description.

This is because applicant tracking systems (ATS) are commonly used amongst recruiters to track down ideal candidates without searching far and wide or spending hours reading CVs.

So, if you see that the job description lists the ideal candidate as a hard-working and efficient account manager who can work flexibly, try to paint this picture using similar vocabulary to explain that you fit this category well.

Aside from that, your no experience CV should also draw attention to any relevant skills, experience, achievements, and certifications you have, as discussed in more detail below.

By focusing on these key points, you’ll be able to present your strengths in a way that makes you a credible and attractive candidate.

Focus on skills

When you lack direct work experience, your skills can become the strongest part of your CV.

Try and identify any hard skills that you have that align with the role you are applying for, such as computer proficiency, language ability, or technical knowledge. Remember to also include soft skills, like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. 

Then, provide short examples of how you have demonstrated these skills in school projects, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities.

This shows employers and recruiters that, despite your lack of experience, you already possess the abilities needed to succeed in the role.

Showcase achievements and certifications

Any proof of taking initiative will go a long way when applying for a job with a CV with no experience.

It shows recruiters and employers that you’re serious about your professional development. This is important, as it displays a willingness to go through the necessary effort to increase your chances of securing a job in your desired field.

So, don’t be afraid to showcase any relevant achievements or certifications that you’ve obtained over the years.

Use your relevant experience

Relevant experience doesn’t always come from a formal job. If you’ve done internships, volunteering, part-time work, and even worked on personal projects, they can all provide recruiters and employers with examples of responsibility and transferable skills.

Of course, make sure that you tailor these experiences so they match the requirements of the job description.

For instance, if you volunteered at an event, you can highlight your organisational skills, teamwork efforts, and ability to communicate effectively.

Top tips for creating your first CV

When writing a CV with no experience, the process can feel quite overwhelming, but the right strategies can make the process much easier. Here are seven practical tips that you should follow:

1. Use AI to help frame your skills: Our built-in AI tool can help phrase your strengths in line with the job requirements. 
2. Build your CV around a template: Don’t start from scratch. Use a suitable CV template with a pre-designed structure to ensure a polished look.
3. Choose the most effective format: Consider using a skills-based CV to emphasise your abilities and strengths rather than job history.
4. Create an effective cover letter: A strong cover letter can help explain gaps in your CV and showcase your enthusiasm for the role.
5. Keep it concise: When you don’t have any relevant work experience, your CV shouldn’t be more than a page long.
6. Tailor for each application: Adjust your skills and achievements to reflect the language and priorities in the description for the job you’re applying for.
7. Proofread carefully: Avoid spelling or grammar mistakes, as these can create a poor first impression.

Structuring a CV without work experience

Even without formal work experience, you can create a CV that highlights your skills, achievements, and shows your potential. The key is to focus on areas that demonstrate your abilities and suitability for the role. The three key areas you need to focus on include:

Personal statement

The personal statement on a CV acts as your introduction to prospective employers. It highlights your current status, career goals, and why you believe you’re a strong candidate for the job.

Personal statements can be particularly useful for school-leavers or graduate students who don’t yet have any work experience and wish to start their CV with a strong and engaging introduction.

Education and voluntary work

When you have little or no professional experience, your education becomes one of the most valuable parts of your CV.

In this section of the CV, you should list your qualifications, starting with the most recent. Include details such as the subjects you studied, your grades, and any notable projects you were part of that are relevant to the job.

Alongside your education, voluntary work can also strengthen your CV by showing initiative, teamwork, and reliability.

If you supported a charity shop, participated in community projects, or volunteered at events, these experiences are valuable and should be detailed. They demonstrate your practical skills and a willingness to contribute, both of which are qualities highly valued by employers.

Skills and achievements

If you have no experience at a job similar to the one you’re applying for, recruiters will use the skills and achievements section on your CV to determine whether you’re a good fit for the role.

In this section, you should focus on including skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, alongside any technical or role-specific abilities.

When it comes to achievements, those can be academic, extracurricular, or personal. Whether you have certificates, awards, or completed projects to discuss, even the smallest of relevant accomplishments can show initiative and commitment.

How to write a CV for a job without experience or studies

If you feel that you lack work experience or that you don’t qualify academically, remember that there is more to a CV than the work experience and academic background section.

Aside from professional and academic experience, employers are also interested in the skills and qualities you bring to the table.

Here are some examples of skills you can include in your CV if you are someone with no experience or qualifications:

• Time management
• Organisational skills
• Microsoft Office
• Problem-solving
• Active listening

When adding a list of skills to the skills section of your CV, make sure that the skills you list align with the requirements of the job description.

To help you get an idea of what your CV should be focused on, in the sections below, we’ll talk more about CVs for different profiles. Specifically, you’ll find advice for school-leavers, students, and other people with little to no work experience.

CVs for school-leavers

If you’re about to finish school, you can showcase potential through your CV by focusing on any extracurricular activities that you’ve participated in over the years. This could include activities organised by your school or a club, as well as other hobbies and personal projects.

These types of experiences can highlight transferable skills such as responsibility, teamwork, and creativity.

Any clubs, volunteering, or community involvement where you demonstrated initiative should be mentioned, as recruiters value enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Example

Babysitting service
2021-present

• Provide daily care and vigilance for infants
• Organise their eating and sleeping schedule
• Maintain three clients a week on average
• Created a social media profile to attract new clients

CVs for students

Students and graduates with no experience can draw attention to any part-time jobs, academic projects, or volunteering work to build a strong CV.

Coursework and research projects can demonstrate analytical skills, while student societies or leadership roles can show your ability to work in a team and stay organised.

You should also emphasise your ability to balance studies with other commitments, as this highlights time management and dedication.

Example

Part-time retail assistant
2023-2024

• Assisted customers with purchases and inquiries
• Operated tills and handled cash transactions accurately
• Managed stock levels and organised displays
• Improved communication and customer service skills

CVs for other people with little to no work experience

If you are part of the 10% of adults in the UK who have never done paid work, your CV should be focused on your unpaid responsibilities, community involvement, and personal projects.

For instance, a CV for a stay-at-home parent or carer with no work experience could highlight the many responsibilities involved in managing a household.

Example

Stay-at-home mum
2021-present

• Created and maintained a weekly family budget to manage expenses effectively
• Coordinated school runs, appointments, and extracurricular activities for three children
• Organised household schedules to balance multiple priorities
• Developed strong organisational, multitasking, and problem-solving skills

Using CV templates with no experience

Creating a CV without any work or academic experience can feel daunting. The good news is that there are plenty of no experience CV templates designed specifically for individuals who lack traditional backgrounds but still want to make a strong impression.

These templates are designed to put an emphasis on your transferable skills, personal projects, and voluntary work, helping you showcase your potential rather than focus on what’s missing.

For example, a skills-based CV is designed to highlight your abilities and strengths, while a combination CV will blend your skills with your education, hobbies, and achievements.

If you’re unsure how to sell your skills or frame your experience effectively, use our online CV builder. Its integrated AI tool can help you fill out each section and present your background in the strongest possible way.

With the right structure, you can create a professional CV that demonstrates value to employers, even without prior experience.