How to write a CV with no experience

You have more than "no experience"

"No experience" almost always means "no paid full-time job yet" — not nothing. Education, coursework, projects, volunteering, part-time or weekend work, clubs and societies, caring responsibilities, and skills you've taught yourself all count. The job is to present them as evidence.

Lead with a skills-based structure

When work history is thin, put a short personal statement and your key skills first, and let education and activities carry the evidence. That way the reader meets your strengths before they notice the gap.

Turn what you've done into evidence

• Coursework and projects — a dissertation, a group project, a piece of coding or design: what you did, and what you learned or produced.
• Volunteering — responsibility, teamwork and reliability are exactly what early-career employers look for.
• Part-time or casual work — customer service, cash handling, showing up on time: real, transferable, and worth stating plainly.
• Personal projects — anything you built, ran or organised on your own initiative.

Write a personal statement that sets direction

Two or three lines: who you are, the kind of role you're after, and what you bring. Aim it at the specific job. It signals focus, which matters more than length of CV.

Focus on transferable skills — with proof

Communication, teamwork, reliability, problem-solving and a willingness to learn travel into almost any role. But don't just claim them — show each one with a specific, honest example. A claimed skill with no evidence reads as filler.

What to include instead of a long work history

• Education, with any relevant modules or results.
• Projects and coursework that show applied skill.
• Volunteering and community involvement.
• Certifications or short courses you've completed.
• A focused, honest skills list.

Keep it honest

Don't pad or inflate. "Familiar with" is fine; "expert" when you're not will unravel in the interview. Specific and modest beats vague and overstated — and it's far easier to talk about when someone asks.