How to write a CV with no experience [kick start your career]

Summary

This video from the Standout CV YouTube channel offers valuable guidance on crafting an effective CV for individuals with little to no work experience. It covers the basics of what a CV is, who reads it, and the importance of a clear format and structure. The video provides tips on writing a compelling CV profile, highlighting core skills and achievements, detailing education, and showcasing hobbies and interests to demonstrate transferable skills. Additionally, it suggests strategies to bolster one's CV, such as gaining volunteer experience or enrolling in vocational courses, ensuring that job applications stand out to hiring managers and recruiters.

Takeaways

• 😀 A CV is a marketing document for your skills as an employee, aiming to win interviews by showcasing your abilities and knowledge relevant to the job.
• 🔍 The primary readers of your CV are hiring managers and recruiters, who are busy and review numerous CVs daily, so make yours stand out and easy to read.
• 📝 Choose a simple font like Arial or Tahoma and a clean color scheme for readability; avoid photos and images as they're unnecessary for conveying your qualifications.
• 📑 Structure your CV with clear sections, each with a bold heading and possibly a border, to make navigation easy for the reader.
• 📝 Keep the text broken up with short paragraphs and bullet points to enhance readability and ensure information is digestible.
• 📄 Limit your CV to one page, focusing on conciseness to accommodate the time constraints of recruiters and hiring managers.
• 📍 Start your CV with clear contact information at the top for easy access by recruiters, including location, phone number, and email address.
• 📝 Craft a compelling personal profile as an introductory paragraph to attract attention and encourage readers to delve deeper into your CV.
• 🎯 Include a 'Core Skills and Achievements' section to highlight relevant skills and impressive accomplishments that align with the job requirements.
• 🏫 Detail your educational background, including the institutions attended, subjects studied, grades achieved, and any relevant modules or projects.
• 🏅 Add a 'Hobbies and Interests' section to showcase skills and experiences gained outside of formal education that could be transferable to the workplace.
• 💡 To bolster an entry-level CV, consider volunteering to gain experience or taking vocational courses related to the field you're interested in, and include these on your CV.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of a CV?

The main purpose of a CV is to serve as a document containing work-related information about oneself, used when applying for jobs. It's like marketing material for your services as an employee, aiming to sell your skills and knowledge to potential employers and win interviews.

Who are the two types of people that typically read CVs?

The two types of people that typically read CVs are hiring managers, who work within the organizations you're applying to, and recruiters, who act as middlemen to find candidates for hiring managers.

Why is it important to tailor the CV to the needs of the readers?

It's important to tailor the CV to the needs of the readers because they are often very busy and see many CVs. Making your CV easy to read and stand out will increase the chances of getting noticed and securing an interview.

What should be the font and color scheme of a CV to ensure readability?

A CV should be written in a simple font like Arial or Tahoma and stick to a simple color scheme, typically black text on a white background, for maximum readability.

Why is it advised to keep the CV to one page for someone with no experience?

Keeping the CV to one page is advised for inexperienced candidates because busy recruiters and hiring managers don't have time to read lengthy CVs. A concise CV makes it easier for them to quickly digest the information.

What is the role of a CV profile in the document?

A CV profile is an introductory paragraph at the top of the CV designed to attract attention, provide an overview of the candidate's suitability for the role, and encourage the reader to continue reading the rest of the CV.

What kind of information should be included in the core skills and achievements section of a CV?

The core skills and achievements section should include a bullet-pointed list of skills relevant to the job being applied for and notable achievements that showcase the candidate's abilities and dedication.

How can a candidate with no work experience demonstrate their skills and knowledge in their CV?

A candidate with no work experience can demonstrate their skills and knowledge by highlighting their educational background, soft skills, achievements, and relevant hobbies and interests that can be tied to the job requirements.

What are some ways to improve a CV for someone with little or no experience?

Some ways to improve a CV for someone with little or no experience include gaining volunteer work to add experience and skills, and taking vocational courses related to the field of interest to demonstrate dedication and skill acquisition.

Why is it beneficial to include extracurricular activities in the education section of a CV?

Including extracurricular activities in the education section of a CV is beneficial because it shows employers that the candidate is proactive and willing to go the extra mile, which can make them appear as a better potential candidate.

How can hobbies and interests be used to an advantage in a CV for someone with no experience?

Hobbies and interests can be used to an advantage in a CV by drawing connections between the activities and the skills required for the job. For example, playing sports can demonstrate teamwork and communication skills, while volunteering can show character and motivation.