If you’ve just finished sixth form or graduated from University, writing a professional CV when you lack experience can feel incredibly difficult but don’t let your lack of experience put you off from applying for a job. Employers are not always looking for the most experienced candidate and you can create a strong professional CV by following these tips.
Experiences Audit
Whether you choose to write your CV by yourself or use a CV Writer, the first thing we suggest you do is to sit down and think about everything that you have done in your life. Write down all your experiences however small and irrelevant you feel they might be. Think about things such as volunteering, part-time work, internships/placements, coursework and projects, even hobbies. Then think about how these experiences relate to the role you are applying for.
Skills Audit
Next, repeat the same process but this time thinking about your skills. Look at the skills requirements listed in the person specification and try to match your skills and relevant experience against these. Try to think from the employers perspective and make it easy for them to see how your experience/skills match the person spec.
Find the right CV layout
A CV Writer is best placed to advise you on this, but there are a variety of CV formats out there some of which are better suited to applicants who lack experience. There is no standardised format for a professional CV as such, meaning that you can ensure that an employer is reading your best points first.
Speak the employer’s language – succinctly!
Avoid the temptation to try to fill out your CV with long descriptive sentences. Be concise and make use of terminology relevant to the job you are applying for. This makes it easy for an employer to see how suitable you are for the job.
Covering Letters – don’t apply without one!
In the absence of experience, it is vital that you use all the application tools at your disposal. A well-written covering letter not only gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm but also gives you the chance to show them that you have a strong set of skills to match exactly and beyond what they are looking for.
Just left college or university? Want a professional CV written by an experienced CV Writer, who will work with you to bring out all your experiences to create a targeted and persuasive CV? Find out about our special offer and get a bespoke CV written and designed for only £35.