How to Write a CV for Your First Job — Complete 2026 Guide
First Job CV Structure
When you have no work experience, your CV should be short (one page), clean, and focused on what you do bring: education, skills, enthusiasm, and any activities that show reliability and character.
Contact Details
Name, phone, email, and location. Use a professional email address.
Profile Summary
2-3 sentences about who you are, what you're looking for, and what you'd bring to an employer. Be honest, specific, and positive.
Education
School and any further education. Include subjects and grades for your most relevant qualifications.
Skills
Practical skills (IT, driving licence, languages) and personal skills (reliability, communication, teamwork). Only include things you can back up with an example.
Activities, Volunteering & Interests
Relevant clubs, teams, community involvement, or projects that demonstrate responsibility, leadership, or commitment.
What to Do If You Truly Have Nothing
If you feel your CV is completely empty, spend one weekend doing something that fills it: complete an online course on Google Digital Garage (free), volunteer a morning at a food bank, or offer to help a local business with social media. Suddenly your CV has evidence of initiative.
Build Your First CV in 5 Minutes
Our first job CV template is completely free — edit it, fill it in, and download as PDF with no account or subscription required.