A good Curriculum Vitae is definitely the best business card for anyone looking to enter the world of work. This simple document summarizes all of a candidate’s education, work, and volunteer experience. Anyone can write a good student CV, even without work experience.
What’s the best way to write a CV without professional experience?
When writing a CV without professional experience, we risk having too little information to include and therefore be an uninteresting candidate for those who have to analyze our CV. This does not mean, however, that it is impossible to write a good CV without experience.
In this article, we’ll show you a number of tips and tricks to help you write an inspiring CV, even if it doesn’t include information about your professional background.
1. Tailor your CV to the company you work for.
Personalizing your CV according to the person you are talking to is the first rule, which applies to writing any CV. Try to understand the specifics of the company and the position you are applying for.
This will allow you to bring out the right qualities to impress the person in charge of the selections, with an emphasis on the area of work that interests you.
2. Avoid writing a too-long CV, focus on the goal.
It is very likely that the CV of a person who does not yet have professional experience behind them is very (or even too) short: do not try to make it too long, it is better to present the information in a clear way. And concise, preferably on a single page.
Above all, make sure that your CV is organized: the information must be presented in the correct order. First, enter your complete personal data, then your educational experiences, which form the main part of such a CV.
Start with your diploma, then list all the courses and masters you have taken in your country and abroad, and don’t forget to underline all the skills you have acquired during your studies. If you have received awards and recognition (such as scholarships), mark them as well: they show your dedication to what you do.
If you have completed internships, work experience, or volunteering as part of your course, please indicate them as well. While this is not literally “work”, these experiences are very formative.
Give lots of space to the foreign languages you master; this information is among the most interesting and the most sought after by any employer. If you have obtained certifications, include them and give them great importance: they are certainly a good tool to be prepared and become proficient in languages.
3. If you have to write a CV without work experience, focus on your skills.
Aptitudes are all those skills that are not necessarily linked to previous professional experience, but which are nevertheless essential to define the profile of a candidate.
For example, start with your level of proficiency in using computers and major software and programs, also indicating any certifications you have obtained.
Remember to spell out the goals you want to achieve in the company, always try to personalize them according to the person who will receive your CV; in doing so, you will also indicate what contribution you can make to the company.
Do not forget either what we call “soft skills”, that is to say, all those personal characteristics which influence and guide our way of managing life and daily life, and which are increasingly needed, demanded, and appreciated in the world of work.
For example, soft skills are the ability to relate to strangers, work in a team, organizational skills (such as time management), and problem-solving.
4. Include your contacts
You need to make sure the recruiter can see what kind of person you are, even outside of work. Therefore, also list your hobbies and any activities that you think might be useful for the position you are applying for. For example, being an avid reader can be essential in starting to work as a salesperson in a bookstore.
Also, remember that your CV should contain all of your contact details: phone number, email address, and links to your social media profiles. These are becoming more and more important, but be careful that your posts do not contain anything that could compromise your reputation. Your application depends on it!
5. Attach a cover letter
A good cover letter, written specifically for the position you are applying for, can be an asset and serve as an introduction to your CV.
The important thing is that it should be clear and precise. It should give an idea of your interests, your motivation, your strengths, and the positive contribution you could make to the company for the position you are applying for.
The cover letter should also be no longer than a page or a page and a half; be concise and get straight to the point. You can do it!