Applying for your first job is an exciting time. But to get hired, you’ll need to write a CV that explains why you’re a great fit for the position.

Here are 3 good example CVs demonstrating how to write a winning application for your first job — plus a blank template you can download and personalise for free.

1. First-job CV example for a uni student

This uni student’s CV for a part-time job clearly outlines their career goals and social media expertise:

An example of a good first job CV for a university student on a template with a dark green header to accentuate the applicant's name and contact details
List your education first if you just graduated and have a highly relevant degree.

Download Example

Uni Student CV (Text Version)

 

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Motivated and highly accomplished university student with a strong academic background and a passion for social media marketing. Recipient of the Young Influencer Award in 20XX. Seeking a challenging and rewarding part-time position at Brinto Clubbox that will help to promote your company’s events and social media platforms.

EDUCATION

Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sep 20XX–Oct 20XX
BA (Hons) Business Management — upper second-class honours (II.i),

Relevant modules: Social Media and AI, Consumer Behaviour, Digital Marketing Methods

Gosforth High School, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Sep 20XX–Oct 20XX

A-Levels: Maths (A), Business Studies (A), English Literature (B)

GCSEs: 10 Grades 9–4 including Maths, English, and ICT

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Social Media Specialist, Jun 20XX–present
Freelance, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  • Create 1 aesthetic lifestyle vlog per week using Adobe Premiere Pro and Da Vinci Resolve for YouTube, and repurpose them for other social media platforms (Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook)
  • Capture, edit, and schedule Instagram and TikTok content based on my personal fashion, lifestyle, and beauty recommendations
  • Write 30+ scripts and testimonials on IG Live to help local companies promote their brands, resulting in 3 paid partnerships (Ana Luisa, Craster Kippers, Blackfriars)

University Volunteer, Jul 20XX–Jun 20XX
Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

  • Mentored 4 younger students with sketching backgrounds, simple pictures, and logos using Procreate
  • Prepared informative PowerPoint presentations with simple, straightforward instructions on how to draw basic shapes and patterns
  • Won the ‘Top Student Volunteer’ of the Month award in October 20XX

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

  • Expert at using TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X for business purposes
  • Proficient with Adobe Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom)
  • Bilingual in German and English
  • Comfortable speaking and acting in front of the camera
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical, and organisational skills

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

  • Dancing
  • Watching documentaries
  • Playing tennis

 

Why this example works

This job applicant is writing a CV without formal work experience, so they include extra detail in their education section to outline the qualifications they do have. Furthermore, the applicant uses hard numbers to measure their previous successes, so the employer can clearly see the benefits they can bring to the company if hired.

2. Good first CV example for school leavers

This example CV for a 16-year-old includes volunteer experience and a prominent skills section to show the employer this applicant is ready for new responsibilities:

An example of a good CV for a secondary student's first job, with the contact information section highlighted in maroon and the skills section highlighted in a lighter maroon to display the applicant's contact details and skills more clearly
Even if writing a CV as school leaver, you’ll have valuable skills to offer.

Download Example

First-Job CV Example for a School Leaver (Text Version)

 

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Dedicated and punctual student at West Road Academy currently completing my GCSEs. Adept at working in teams or individually. Fluent in English and Welsh and conversational in (self-taught) Japanese. Looking forward to gaining new skills and sharing my passion for water safety with youth through a part-time Swim Instructor position at Swim Safe.

KEY SKILLS

  • Typing speed of 86 WPM
  • Knowledgeable in social media platforms (TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Discord)
  • Strong time management skills
  • Certified in Emergency First Aid
  • Japanese (JLPT N3)
  • Welsh (Bilingual)

EDUCATION

West Road Academy, Penparcau (School leaving date: June 20XX)
GCSEs: 10 Grades 9–4 including Maths, English, & ICT

Swim Wales, Swansea (20XX)
SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE

YMCA Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth
Volunteer, Dec 20XX – Present

  • Give tours of the Ocean Community YMCA building every Sunday and Thursday evening to 4–12 new patrons
  • Assist Head Swim Coach with swimming lessons for children aged 5–12 years by helping them wear lifejackets, teaching correct kickboard usage, and supervising them during classes
  • Manage the YMCA Aquatic store’s merchandise displays by neatly lining up new items along shelves, folding swimming costumes, and greeting customers

West Road Academy, Aberystwyth
Volunteer, May 20XX – November 20XX

  • Efficiently operated a switchboard and communicated with 20+ of the school’s admin staff per day while completing light office duties
  • Filed and organised 450+ school notices and pamphlets with 100% accuracy
  • Completed 150+ hours of data entry by creating media release forms, appeal forms, and updated attendance records for Years 7–9
  • Maintained excellent marks throughout my volunteering experience and was recognised as one of five ‘Top Student Volunteers’ by my supervisors

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

  • Sports: Rambling, playing rugby, and weightlifting
  • Music: Amateur violin, ukulele, and piano player
  • Photography: Taking portraits of friends and family

 

Why this example works

This secondary school student might have only just finished their GCSEs, but they do a great job of showcasing their relevant strengths.

The bulleted key skills section quickly draws the eye to their first aid training, and they’ve included a relevant instructing certification to highlight their commitment to the swimming teacher role they’re applying for.

3. Skills-based CV for a first job

This skills-based CV uses an unconventional format to emphasise the applicant’s relevant expertise:

A CV for a first job that uses a skills-based format and has a modern, blue header.

Download Example

Skills-Based CV for a First Job (Text Version)

 

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Undergraduate student with a genuine passion for coffee craftsmanship, currently pursuing a BA (Hons) Dance at The Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts. Experience in people facing roles, possessing proven experience coordinating student union and drama club events. Additionally, running my own blog about Liverpool food and coffee culture. Excited to bring my industry knowledge, customer service skills, and close attention to detail to the Barista role at Daily Brew.

KEY SKILLS

Food and Drink Preparation

  • Proficient in operating espresso machines, coffee grinders, and other equipment to prepare a variety of coffee beverages
  • Detailed knowledge of coffee beans, syrups, and café recipes from the first-hand research I carry out for my blog, Two Shots of Joe
  • Served drinks and light refreshments to up to +150 customers a night as a Student Union volunteer
  • Knowledgeable about different coffee flavour profiles and brewing methods as an avid follower of Barista Magazine and Global Coffee Report

Customer Service

  • Proven ability to provide exceptional customer service in fast-paced environments, having handled 200+ interactions per evening at busy SU events
  • Praised by mentors and university event organisers as having excellent interpersonal skills and a unique ability to put smiles on people’s faces
  • Experienced multitasker able to prioritise task and minimise wait times during peak service periods

Marketing and Promotion

  • Used Adobe Illustrator and graphic design skills to create visually engaging promotional material for student events
  • Created engaging Facebook and Instagram events for SU activities to increase student engagement by 50%
  • Collaborate with local influencers to expand my blog’s reach and build out my reader base by 45%

Time Management

  • Maintain top grades in all my classes while volunteering, demonstrating a strong ability to use time-saving techniques and optimise efficiency
  • Delegated event setup and coordination tasks to SU team members, ensuring efficient use of resources and timely completion of preparations
  • Adapted to last-minute changes in event schedules, reallocating time to accommodate new priorities

EDUCATION

The Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts
BA (Hons) Dance, 20XX–20XX, Liverpool

Merseyside Sixth Form College
2004– 2007, Limerick, Ireland

A Levels: Drama (A), English Lit. (A), Art (B)

EXTRACURRICULAR EXPERIENCE

SU Volunteer, 20XX–20XX
LIPA Student Union, Liverpool

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

  • Watching nature documentaries
  • Playing football on a weekly basis
  • Reading non-fiction books
  • Solving puzzles
  • Fishing

 

Why this example works

When you’re applying for your first job with no practical experience at all, traditional CV formats only draw attention to your lack of a work history.

So this example focuses on skills to demonstrate the applicant’s broad practical knowledge and their passion for the role.

Applying for your first job in India? Look for fresher CV templates online or adapt a CV template with a photo to meet Indian application requirements and give yourself the best chance of landing your target role.

Bonus: Blank first-job CV template

Ready to start writing? Here’s a blank CV template you can edit with your own information.

Or if there’s a different CV design you’d rather use instead, we’ve left a plain text version below that you can copy-paste into your word processor.

A good CV example for a first job that you can download and fill in yourself along with instructions.
Use CV icons to make your details appear clearer.

Download Example

Copy-paste CV for your first job

Write Your Full Name in a Large Header Font

07XXX XXX XXX | your.name@email.com | No. Street, City, Postcode | linkedin.com/in/your-profile

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Your personal statement is a brief professional introduction. First, specify what you studied and what your career goals are. Then, mention any stand-out skills that qualify you for the specific job (matching the skills in the job description will help get the employer’s attention). Briefly mention any impressive achievements that underline your value to the employer. Last, state that you’re looking forward to bringing these strengths to the [Job Title] role at [Company Name].

EDUCATION

List your education history in reverse, starting with your highest qualification.

University Name (20XX-20XX)
Degree Type, Course Title, Classification (First/ upper second/ lower second/third-class honours)

Relevant Units: List uni classes you took that have prepared you for your target job, separated by commas.

Dissertation Topic: Your Dissertation Topic

Sixth Form College (20XX-20XX)
A-levels: Subject 1 (A), Subject 2 (A), Subject 3 (A)

GCSEs: 10 A*–C/9–4 including Maths, English, Combined Science

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

ORGANISATION, City
Your Title December 20XX – Present

  • This section is your work history but it can also include informal experience like volunteer gigs and extracurricular projects
  • Include 3–6 bullet points that showcase specific accomplishments from this job
  • For example, you could mention an award you received or a project you helped complete
  • Write in the present tense for jobs you are still doing and past tense for jobs you’ve already finished
  • Skip the pronoun ‘I’ and start each bullet point with an action verb (e.g., ‘Monitored pool area to ensure swimmer safety’)
  • Measure your achievements with hard numbers (it makes them 100% more likely to stand out)

KEY SKILLS

  • List your relevant CV skills here
  • Include hard skills (skills you learn through training)
  • Also add soft skills (like communication and attention to detail)
  • Prioritise skills that relate to the job description

OPTIONAL SECTION

  • Add optional sections, like ‘Language Skills‘, ‘Awards’, or ‘Certifications’ if you want to highlight specialised knowledge that will help you stand out for the specific job

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

  • Include interesting hobbies to come across as a well-rounded candidate
  • Your hobbies and interests don’t have to be directly related to the job
  • But showcasing additional skills and adaptability is a plus

Different industries have different standards for CVs. Make sure you’re meeting employer expectations by checking job-specific CV examples and writing tips.

Frequently asked questions about writing a CV for your first job

Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions about writing your first CV:

1. Can I write a good first CV even if I have no experience?

Yes, you can write a good CV even if you have no experience. Most employers understand that everyone has to start somewhere, so don’t worry too much if you haven’t had a formal job before.

As long as you prove in your CV that you understand the role, possess relevant skills, and are eager to learn, you’ll have a good chance of finding full-time work in the field you want.

If you don’t have any formal work experience, consider including other areas that demonstrate your work ethic and transferable skills, such as:

2. Can I write my first CV using Google Docs?

Yes, you can write your CV using Google Docs (using a predesigned Google Docs CV template if you want). Just remember to download your CV as a PDF file when you’re done. Sending an employer a finalised PDF looks more professional than a link to an online document.

3. What should I write in my CV for my first job?

Here’s what you should include in your first CV:

  • Personal statement — a brief summary of your top skills, achievements, and expertise
  • Education history — a list of your most relevant qualifications starting with the highest one
  • Relevant experience — a history of any practical experience that has prepared you for the job (e.g., volunteer work, extracurricular activities, projects, and competitions)
  • Key skills — a quick summary of any hard skills and soft skills that you want the employer to take notice of
  • Hobbies and interests — an optional section where you can list any interesting pursuits unrelated to your career

And you can add all of this information in minutes using a CV builder.

Build My CV Now

4. Should I also write a cover letter for a first job?

Yes, you should also write a cover letter that complements your CV if you’re applying for a first job. A good cover letter will:

  • introduce you to the employer and explain why you’re interested in the position and the company
  • give you an opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences in a more personal way
  • convey your enthusiasm and motivation for the role you want

View cover letter examples online to learn strategies for writing a standout cover letter for your first job.

Additional FAQs related to making your first CV

These are more FAQs to help you write a CV that’ll catch an employer’s attention — even if you don’t have any work experience yet:

Seb Morgan
Written by

Seb Morgan

Seb Morgan is a Careers Coach and Digital Content Writer for CV Genius, where he helps job seekers and professionals get more out of their careers. With over 7 years of experience in business and lifestyle journalism, he's written for a stack of careers-focused publications, including Oxbridge Home Learning, Study International, theHRDirector, and Employee Benefit News, and his expertise includes skill development, interview preparation, and CV and cover letter writing. West Midlands born and raised, Seb has since lived, worked, and studied in 4 countries across 2 continents. He speaks 4 languages and has survived job interviews in 3 of them. He currently also freelances as a travel and culture writer. Reach him at [sebastian] @ [cvgenius.com] or via LinkedIn.