Which is the best way to write a good CV with no experience? If you are that recent graduate who cleared campus, it’s high time you start looking for a job by writing a good CV. It may seem a daunting task but don’t worry because this article will take you step to step on how to write a good CV When you have no work experience.
1. Write A Good CV By Targeting Entry Level Positions On The Profile Summary
According to Florence Mukunya, a CV Writing Expert at Corporate Staffing Services, a recent graduate should indicate that they are looking for an entry level position since they don’t have much work experience.
“Your profile summary should enable the recruiter to quickly identify the value you can add to their organization when hired. For instance, if you are looking for an Accountant job, here is a good example of a profile summary,” she says.
I am recent graduate with a Bachelor Of Commerce Accounting option with 3 months internship. Iam looking for an entry level position where I can bring my current knowledge and develop my skill set.
2. Highlight Your Education Qualifications When You have no Experience
Ms Mukunya notes that the educational experience is one of the most important key sections in your CV that might make it noticeable.
“This is because when applying for a job as a fresh graduate, it is assumed that you are targeting the position you studied. For a fresh graduate putting all your relevant educational details is the only way the employer is going to see that you have a background of the position you are applying for,” she opines.
“List your educational qualification from the most recent and most relevant one first. Also give full detailed information on the educational achievements by including the Certification, the Institution which you studied, and also the date of completion,” she advises.
3. Your Internship Will Count As Work Experience
Having a couple of internships gives one an added advantage as opposed to someone who has none.
According to Ms Mukunya, one mistake graduates make in this section is failing to highlight the nature of their internship experience.
“Most graduates will only indicate that they were in a certain company for a certain period of time without specific details. This is wrong because it does not give the recruiter a chance to evaluate you well as a candidate,” she warns.
In any company, there are different departments which operate differently. So as opposed to saying you were an intern only, Ms Mukunya emphasizes that one should indicate the department or departments you were stationed in and highlight your duties and responsibilities you handled in each. “This gives you an edge over an applicant who did not take time to explain how he gained experience during the internship period,” she says.
“Also, if you have any volunteer experience related to the job you are applying for, feel free to include it,” she adds.
4. Write A Good CV By Highlighting Your Basic Skills
When writing a CV with no experience, it is important to indicate the skills related to your qualifications. Your basic skills can be acquired during your internship period or educational training.
Ms Mukunya notes that industry related skills are what most employers focus on so as to hire the right candidates.
“For instance a HR Professional can include a basic skill learnt in school like short listing and conducting interviews,” she explains.
“Depending on the job you are applying for, highlighting different transferable skills in your CV is paramount,” she suggests.
The job market is very competitive even for the experienced job seekers so you need to make sure that your CV stands out from the crowd. This will in turn make you the ideal candidate for the position you are applying for.