Crafting your first CV is an exciting step towards landing your dream job. This guide will show you exactly how to write your CV, make your CV stand out, and create a CV that gets noticed by employers in the UK market.
Why Is a Good CV Important?
Your CV is your professional introduction to potential employers. Getting it right could mean the difference between landing an interview or being overlooked.
A strong CV does three key things:
- Presents your skills and experience clearly
- Demonstrates why you’re right for the role
- Helps you stand out from other applicants
If you’re wondering how to make your CV effective without experience, don’t worry – we’ll cover smart ways to showcase your potential.
How Should Your CV Look?
First impressions matter, and your CV’s layout is the first thing recruiters notice. A modern CV template follows these golden rules:
Key Rules for CV Presentation
- Always keep it to one page – recruiters spend just 6-8 seconds scanning each CV
- Use a clean, professional font like Arial or Calibri (size 11-12)
- Leave plenty of white space – dense text is off-putting
- Save as a PDF to preserve formatting
Make sure to use a model CV that follows these principles while allowing your unique qualifications to shine through. The right template will help organise your information effectively without distracting from your content.
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1. Contact Details (Header)
Start strong with clear, professional contact information at the top of your CV.
Include:
- Your full name (larger font than the rest)
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile (if you have one)
- Your town/city (no full address needed)
Example:
Sarah Johnson
07700 900123 | sarah.johnson@email.com | Manchester | LinkedIn.com/in/sarahjohnson
This simple header ensures recruiters can easily contact you.
2. Personal Statement (Profile Summary)
Your personal statement is a 3-4 line elevator pitch that sits just below your contact details. It should:
- Introduce who you are professionally
- Highlight your key strengths
- Show your career direction
Top tip: Tailor this for each application by matching keywords from the job description.
Example for retail role:
“Enthusiastic school leaver with 6 months’ customer service experience in fast-paced retail environments. Reliable team player with strong communication skills and a passion for delivering excellent customer experiences. Seeking a full-time retail position to further develop my skills.”
This section makes an immediate impact, so spend time perfecting it.
3. Work Experience
Even without extensive work history, you can present your experience effectively. List roles in reverse chronological order with:
- Job title
- Company name
- Dates of employment
- Key responsibilities and achievements
Pro tip: Use action verbs like “managed”, “organised” or “created” to make your experience sound impactful.
Example:
Sales Assistant | H&M | June 2023 – Present
- Assisted 50+ daily customers with purchases and enquiries
- Processed cash and card transactions accurately
- Maintained visual merchandising standards
- Trained 2 new team members
Notice how this format shows concrete contributions rather than just listing duties.
4. Education
Your education section demonstrates your learning background and achievements. Include:
- School/college name
- Dates attended
- Qualifications and grades
Example:
Manchester High School | 2018-2023
GCSEs: English (7), Maths (6), Science (6-5), History (6)
BTEC Business (Merit)
If you have limited work experience, you can expand this section with relevant projects or coursework.
5. Skills
This is your chance to highlight abilities that make you right for the role. Divide skills into:
Hard Skills:
- Microsoft Office
- Cash handling
- Social media management
Soft Skills:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Time management
Key advice: Only include skills you can demonstrate if asked – don’t exaggerate.
6. Hobbies & Interests (Optional)
While optional, this section can strengthen your application when used strategically. Only include hobbies that:
- Demonstrate relevant skills
- Show positive character traits
- Are genuinely interesting
Good examples:
- Football team captain (shows leadership)
- School newspaper editor (demonstrates writing skills)
- Volunteering (highlights community spirit)
Avoid generic interests like “socialising with friends” that don’t add value.
Essential CV Tips for Success
Now you know what to include, let’s cover how to make your CV truly stand out:
Always Include a Cover Letter
A personalised cover letter doubles your chances of getting an interview. For each application:
- Address it to the hiring manager by name
- Explain why you want that specific role
- Highlight 2-3 key strengths relevant to the job
Be Ruthlessly Concise
Every word must earn its place. Ask yourself:
- Does this information help me get the job?
- Could I say this more simply?
- Have I removed all unnecessary words?
Perfect Your Proofreading
Errors create a terrible first impression. Before sending:
- Use spellcheck (set to UK English)
- Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing
- Ask someone else to review it
Tailor for Every Application
Never send the same CV twice. For each role:
- Adjust your personal statement
- Reorder skills to match the job description
- Include relevant keywords from the advert
Common CV Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these frequent errors:
❌ Making it longer than one page – recruiters won’t read it
❌ Using unprofessional email addresses – create a simple one if needed
❌ Including irrelevant personal details – age, marital status etc. aren’t needed
❌ Using clichés – “hard worker” and “team player” need evidence
❌ Lying about experience – employers will check
Final Thoughts on Writing Your First CV
Creating your first CV is a significant career milestone. Remember:
- Focus on quality over quantity – one strong page beats two mediocre ones
- Let your personality shine through in a professional way
- Update it regularly as you gain new experiences
With this guide, you now know exactly how to write your CV, make your CV stand out, and create a CV that opens doors. The effort you put in now will pay off in interview invitations.
