If you are applying to your first internship, spring week, apprenticeship, or part-time job, you may feel you have nothing to put on a CV. That is almost never true. Employers looking at early-career candidates know exactly what stage you are at — what they are assessing is your potential, your attitude, and your ability to communicate clearly. This guide shows you exactly what to include, how to structure it, and how to present your background in the most compelling way possible.
What "no experience" actually means
No formal work experience does not mean no experience. You have attended school, sat exams, participated in clubs and societies, volunteered, held positions of responsibility, completed projects, learned skills, and interacted with people. All of that counts. Employers at this stage are looking for evidence of initiative, reliability, communication, and intellectual curiosity — not a full employment history.
The right structure for an early-career CV
Keep your CV to one page. The recommended structure for students with limited experience is: (1) Name and contact details at the top. (2) Personal profile — two to four sentences summarising who you are, what you are studying or have studied, and what you are looking for. (3) Education — most recent first, including your school, predicted or achieved grades, and any relevant coursework or projects. (4) Skills — a short list of genuine, demonstrable skills. (5) Activities, achievements and interests — clubs, sports, volunteering, competitions, responsibilities. (6) References — available on request.
Writing a strong personal profile
Your personal profile sits directly under your name and is the first thing a recruiter reads. Keep it to two to four sentences. Include: what you study or have studied, one or two genuine interests or strengths relevant to the role, and what you are looking for. Avoid clichés like "hardworking team player" — use specific language instead. Example: "A-Level student at [School] studying Economics, Mathematics, and History. I have a particular interest in financial markets and have completed the CFA Institute's Introduction to Investment course independently. I am applying to summer internship programmes to develop practical experience alongside my studies."
Presenting your education effectively
List your most recent qualification first. Include the school or university name, the dates you attended or are attending, and your subjects and grades (or predicted grades). If you are a sixth-form or university student, you do not need to list every GCSE — note the total number and a summary grade (e.g. "9 GCSEs including Mathematics and English at grade 8/9"). Highlight any academic achievements: prizes, high marks in specific subjects, or relevant extended projects.
Activities and achievements — this is your experience section
For students without formal jobs, this is the most important section. Think broadly: school councils, Duke of Edinburgh Award, sports teams and positions held (captain, treasurer), music grades, drama productions, debating, Model UN, coding clubs, volunteering. For each entry, note what you did, any responsibility you held, and — where possible — one tangible outcome (e.g. "Led a team of six students to raise £1,200 for a local food bank"). Three to five entries is ideal.
Skills to include
List only genuine skills you can demonstrate in an interview. Common valid skills at this stage: proficiency in Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, a programming language or data tool (Python, R, Excel), a spoken language and your level, first aid or safeguarding certificates, or specific software relevant to the role. Avoid listing "communication" or "teamwork" as standalone skills — demonstrate those through your activities instead.
Formatting and presentation
Use a clean, readable font (Calibri, Arial, or Georgia at 10.5–11pt). Use consistent formatting — all headings the same size and weight. Align everything cleanly. Use bullet points rather than long paragraphs. Keep margins at 1.5–2cm. Save as a PDF to preserve formatting. Name the file professionally: FirstName_LastName_CV.pdf. Avoid photos, graphics, and coloured boxes unless you are applying to a creative role.
Checklist
- Personal profile written — specific, honest, relevant
- Education listed most recent first with grades
- Activities section has at least three entries with outcomes
- Skills listed are genuine and demonstrable
- CV is one page and saved as PDF
- Proofread for spelling and grammar errors
- Tailored to the specific role or sector
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing a two-page CV when you have limited experience
- Using generic phrases like "hardworking team player"
- Leaving out school activities and achievements
- Not tailoring the CV to the specific opportunity
- Including a photo when not required