8/18/2019 How to Write a CV When You Lack Direct Work Experience

1/3

How to write a CV when you lack direct work experience

Don't let a lack of work experience put you o! applying for a role where otherwise youmeet most of the requirements. Instead, make the most of your other qualities: your

skills, attitude, potential and enthusiasm.

Identify what qualifies you for the role

It isn't only paid experience that counts. Voluntary or community involvement, work

placements, coursework, personal projects and extracurricular activities can all be

highlighted to show your suitability. Think from the employer's perspective – decide othe most interesting factors, where you have used relevant skills, and then make these

prominent on your CV.

For instance, this graduate CV highlights education and training, including

achievements and endorsements, while this CV demonstrates how to emphasise proje

work above less relevant work experience. Breaking down each project into target,

result and learned competencies shows relevant skills and achievements in context.

Make yourself irresistible to an employer

One of the hardest things to do convincingly on a CV is to convey desirable personalit

traits. Just writing that you are enthusiastic or motivated without giving supporting

details isn't enough. Instead, demonstrate through examples.

Starting something from scratch and overcoming hurdles can show resourcefulness a

determination. For instance: "Launched a local skills-swapping service to slash

http://www.careerdirectors.com/members/tori_winners/2012/Adrienne_Tom_Grad2nd.pdfhttp://www.careerdirectors.com/members/tori_winners/2012/Kornelia_Telesz_Grad1st.pdf

8/18/2019 How to Write a CV When You Lack Direct Work Experience

2/3

household expenditure. Found free advertising channels, and enabled residents to ma

combined estimated savings of more than £10,000 in first year." You can use example

like this to illustrate other characteristics such as an ability to get on with others, or

organisational and communication skills.

Holding down a job to help family finances or pay your way through college can revea

humility and a strong work ethic: "Consistent work record: held variety of part-time ro

since the age of 16 to contribute to educational costs." Learning about a role or sectothrough online communities, upskilling through tutorials or conducting your own

projects all show enthusiasm – it could fit into the education, training or skills section

your CV.

Graduate employers like applicants who can demonstrate these personality traits, as

well as attributes such as numeracy and commercial awareness, which you could sho

through retail, marketing or sales work.

Quantify achievements where possible (how much money saved, percentage of time

reduced, etc) and mention instances where you were promoted, rehired, or given grea

responsibility.

Speak the same language

This is especially the case for career changers, but all applicants should aim to use

language that an employer would expect to see from an ideal candidate. Include

keywords throughout your CV, in job titles, skills, and in how you describe your work

experience. In this example, the course modules (international finance, risk

management, etc) are keywords in their own right, and are included in the skills sectio

titled "specialised knowledge".

Experiment with layout

You don't need to always use a strict chronological work history format or have the

same section order. Put the most important information first – relevant project work ca

come before less relevant employment, while voluntary projects bridging your move in

a new career could come before current, paid work.

You can be flexible with layout and include additional sections for work that is less

relevant, or earlier in your career. You can also put your education before your work

experience, or extract relevant course work and place that prominently.

Don't be tempted to flesh out a CV with long, rambling paragraphs and irrelevant deta

http://www.careerdirectors.com/members/tori_winners/2012/Brenda_Bernstein_Grad3rd.pdf

8/18/2019 How to Write a CV When You Lack Direct Work Experience

3/3

to compensate for a lack of work experience. Instead, write leanly and concisely, and

focus on making it easy for your reader to find key information.

Consider putting a summary of stand-out points at the beginning of your CV. Put your

name and contact details at the top of the page, then use the job title itself as a

heading. Under this, summarise key details such as years' experience in a particular

skill, project experience or summer placements at that company, or a short branding

statement highlighting your strengths and attributes. A couple of lines in note or bulletpoint format (rather than entire sentences) can work well. Include a brief cover letter

explaining your reasons for applying, and interest in the company.

This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To get more content and

advice like this direct to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Careers update.

http://careers.guardian.co.uk/competition/sign-up-guardian-careershttp://www.guardian.co.uk/guardian-professional