TL;DR: How to write a graduate CV when you have no work experience. Proven structure, real examples, and tips for UK graduates to land their first job.
The Graduate CV Dilemma
Every graduate faces the same problem: employers want experience, but you need a job to get experience. The good news is that recruiters hiring graduates know this. They're looking for potential, transferable skills, and evidence that you can learn quickly — not 5 years of industry experience.
The Best Graduate CV Structure
When you lack work experience, reorder your CV to lead with your strengths:
1. Contact Details
2. Professional Summary (focus on degree, skills, and career goals)
3. Education (expand this — it's your biggest asset)
4. Relevant Projects / Dissertation
5. Work Experience (any experience — part-time, voluntary, placements)
6. Skills (technical and transferable)
7. Extracurricular Activities and Achievements
How to Expand Your Education Section
Don't just list your degree. Include:
• Degree classification (or predicted grade)
• Relevant modules (list 4–6 that relate to the role)
• Dissertation/final project title and brief summary
• Academic awards or scholarships
• Group projects with transferable skills (teamwork, leadership, presentations)
Example: "BSc (Hons) Business Management, First Class — University of Leeds (2023–2026). Relevant modules: Strategic Management, Digital Marketing, Business Analytics. Dissertation: 'The Impact of Social Media Marketing on SME Growth' — achieved 78%."
Making Part-Time Work Count
Every job teaches transferable skills. A supermarket job teaches customer service, teamwork, time management, and working under pressure. A bar job teaches communication, multitasking, and handling complaints. Frame these properly:
"Served 200+ customers per shift, maintaining 5-star hygiene rating and resolving complaints independently."
"Managed stock rotation for 500+ product lines, reducing waste by identifying expiry date patterns."
Voluntary Work and Extracurriculars
These are goldmines for graduates. Society committee roles show leadership. Volunteering shows initiative. Sports teams show teamwork and discipline. Tutoring shows communication and patience.
Example: "President, University Business Society (2025–2026). Organised 8 networking events attracting 50+ attendees. Secured sponsorship from 3 local businesses totalling £2,000."
Skills Section: Hard and Soft
List skills in two groups:
Technical: Microsoft Office (advanced Excel), Python, SPSS, Adobe Creative Suite, Google Analytics, SQL
Transferable: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, adaptability, leadership
Be specific. "Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)" is better than just "Microsoft Office".
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include my A-levels on a graduate CV?
Yes, but keep it brief: "A-Levels: Mathematics (A), Economics (B), English Literature (B) — [School Name], 2023". Once you have 2+ years of work experience, A-levels can be removed.
Is a 1-page CV enough for a graduate?
Yes. One page is ideal for graduates. You shouldn't need two pages unless you have substantial placement or project experience.