How to Make a CV with No Experience - 20+ Examples

You’ve got no experience. None. Zip. Nada. Zilch. NO “other jobs.” No freelance work or past work history. Get hired anyway with this top-notch CV with no experience sample.

“We’d love to hire you. But—”

You’ve got no relevant experience.

How can you ever get a job?

You’ve got life experience.

Trust us. You’ve done things that make you valuable. You’re not a toddler.

You just need to put those details in the right CV format.

In this guide:

• A first time CV with no experience sample better than most.
• What to put in a CV with no work experience so it’s not blank.
• How to make a CV with no job experience that gets phone calls.
• Why you can’t just list skills in a no-experience CV (and what to do instead).

Save hours of work and get a CV like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 21 CV templates and download your CV now.

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your CV.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan

My previous CV was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Want some other first time CV with no experience samples? See our guides:

• CV for University Application
• Student CV
• Nursing Student CV
• Internship CV
• Entry-Level CV
• Teen CV
• High School Graduate CV
• High School CV
• University Student CV
• Recent University Graduate CV
• Computer Science (CS) Student CV
• CV for Grad School Application
• Scholarship CV

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV examples for over 200 jobs.

CV with no Experience Sample You Can Copy and Use

Energetic programmer skilled in Java and web app design. Seeking to provide efficient coding for Alcoa. Created several apps in Java and C, including a chess game and API-linked to-do list that syncs with Google Sheets. Took 2nd place price in Codewars Novice Division contest in 2018.

BS Computer Science, Austin University

Game Development & Design

• Wrote 3 game applications with Unreal gaming engine.
• Modelled 20+ 3D objects.
• Received Ladd Scholarship for mobile game app design study.
• My article in school paper on multiplayers was linked to by Engadget.

Data Science and Analytics

• Commended by two professors for data analytics skills.
• Created mock medical health care system app.
• Used polling data to create election poll accurate within +/- 5%.

• Excelled in cloud computing classes, maintaining 4.0 GPA.
• Created and maintained 3 virtual machines.
• Pursued a passion for cloud security coursework.

• Created neural networks project that was written up in school paper.
• Wrote flower classifying app that won school AI fair 3rd prize.

• Created own chess game in Java. Added functionality to store multiple user profiles and games in online MySQL database.
• Developed to-do list synced with Evernote and Google Sheets via API. Included persistent notifications for urgent tasks.
• Worked as part of a team of 3 programmers to develop a RESTful API that interfaced with IMdB to pull movie data.
• Wrote C code for a simulation of a football game using existing game concepts. Wrote algorithms for passing and randomising.

2nd Place, Codewars Novice Division 2018

• Attended ByteHacks Hackathon 2018.
• Founded the HomeStarSleeper Coding Group with 21 members.
• Walk dogs at the Cadillac County Animal Shelter 1x per month.
• Member of a weekly road cycling club.

• Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) Java
• Zend Certified PHP Engineer

Hard Skills: Java, web app design, PHP, Python, debugging, hardware installation

Soft Skills: teamwork, communication, critical thinking, problem solving

Now here’s how to make a CV with no experience:

1. Use the Right Format in a CV With no Experience

Danger.

You want the job. But—

So do hundreds of others.

And they have lots of experience.

How can a CV with no work experience compete?

Don’t panic.

When you have lkittle to no experience it is important to pick the right CV format. Stick to the time-tested reverse-chronological format.

Then use these tips:

CV with no Experience Format

• Pick visually appealing CV template or a free Google Docs CV template.
• Use one great CV font like 10–12pt Garamond or Cambria.
• Include some white space. Set your margins at one inch.
• Make the length of your CV with no experience one page.
• Create these CV sections: Heading, Objective, Education, Skills, and a few added sections.

Expert Hint: Save your no-experience CV as a PDF. PDF CVs work no matter what screen hiring teams view them on, and ATS readers can read them.

2. Write an Eye-Catching CV Objective

“She’s got no experience. but still!”

You’ve got little time to make a first impression.

Most hiring teams glance at CVs. You’ll get about six seconds before trash-time.

But there’s hope.

A CV with no work experience for university students or high school can still wow them. It starts with a solid CV objective.

Use:

1. One adjective (energetic, hard-working)
2. The job title (nanny, programmer, cook, retail associate)
3. How/whom you’ll help (provide efficient coding for Alcoa)
4. Best relevant accomplishment (2nd place price in Codewars contest)

These CV with no experience examples will start you off:

Summary for a CV with no Experience

You can use any life event, club, group, or effort to prove your skills.

You’ll need both soft and hard skills on your CV with no work experience for university students or high school students.

“Soft skills” are transferable skills that work in any job.

Those are qualities like interpersonal skills, communication, efficiency, and work ethic.

“Hard skills” are technical skills like MS Office or cloud computing.

This list of top CV skills can get you started:

CV With no Experience Skills

Hard Skills

Soft Skills

Expert Tip: Don’t have the skills the job wants? Take some online classes from Udemy, Lynda or MadBright. You’ll beat the trousers off the other CVs with no experience.

6. Add Extras to Your CV with no Experience

Still coming up short?

Your CV with no work experience must fill the page—but not with “filler!”

Wow them.

With extras that show related skills.

You can add CV sections for:

• Classes or certifications (like First Aid or ServSafe Food Handler)
• Portfolio website (You must put this in a CV with no experience for computer science pros)
• Additional activities
• Interests
• Honours & awards
• Foreign languages
• Clubs & groups (BSA, computing clubs)
• Fitness
• Volunteering experience

You don’t need all of those.

Just the ones that show off your finest hours!

These no experience CV examples get it going:

CV With no Experience—Extra Sections

• Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) Java
• Zend Certified PHP Engineer

2nd Place, Codewars Novice Division 2018

• Attended ByteHacks Hackathon 2018.
• Founded the HomeStarSleeper Coding Group with 21 members.
• Walk dogs at the Cadillac County Animal Shelter 1x per month.
• Member of a weekly road cycling club.

• Swimming.
• Collecting shoes.

Hint: I’d hire #1.

That first no experience CV sample pumps up your skills.

It also shows your passion.

Are you getting the picture? It’s not about your work history.

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter. The hiring manager will spend more time reading your CV with no work experience. Tip: don’t brag. Talk most about the job.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

Here’s how to write a CV with no experience:

• Use the no experience CV template up top. It stops the “can’t get a job without experience” cycle.
• Focus on life accomplishments. Put them in your objective, education, and “extra” sections.
• Zero in on skills they need. They’re your best CV keywords, and they’re in the online job ad.
• Include a cover letter. Talk about the job a lot. Give evidence you’re a good fit despite lack of experience.

Got questions on how to write a CV with no work experience for university students? Writing a teen no experience CV and don’t know where to start? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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At ResumeLab, excellence lies at the heart of our values, underpinning our promise to provide outstanding career resources. Our team of career experts meticulously assesses each article in line with our editorial guidelines, guaranteeing our content's high quality and dependability. We consistently engage in original research, illuminating the nuances of the job market and earning acclaim from various influential news outlets. Our commitment to delivering professional career advice draws millions of readers to our blog annually.

Tom Gerencer is a career expert covering a wide range of job-related topics. He’s shared his insight for jobseekers at all career levels in over 200 articles, reaching over a million readers every month. His written pieces are based on meticulous research and feature insider tips from key industry experts.

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