Ever stared at a blank document wondering where to even start with your CV? You’re not alone. Most students feel the same way. The good news? A strong CV doesn’t need to be complicated it just needs the right sections in the right order.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what the top 10 sections every professional CV must have are, what to write in each one, and how to make yours stand out even if you have little or no experience.
By the end, you’ll know how to write a simple CV for a job application that actually gets noticed.
Why Your CV Structure Matters More Than You Think
Here’s something most students don’t realise: recruiters spend an average of just 6–7 seconds scanning a CV before deciding whether to read further. That’s less time than it takes to tie your shoes.
A poorly structured CV even with great content gets skipped. A clean, well-organised one gets read.
I’ve worked with dozens of students on their first CVs, and the most common problem isn’t a lack of experience. It’s missing or misplaced sections. Once those are fixed, everything clicks.
So let’s fix that right now.
Contact Details
This one sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people get it wrong.
What to include:
- Full name (make it big and bold at the top)
- Phone number (make sure voicemail is set up)
- Professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com — not “coolkid99@…”)
- LinkedIn profile URL (optional but recommended)
- City and country (no need for your full home address)
Quick Note: Don’t include your date of birth, photo, or nationality in the US or UK — it’s not expected and can even lead to unconscious bias.
Personal Statement
Your personal statement is the first thing a recruiter actually reads. It sits right below your name and contact details. Think of it as your 30-second elevator pitch — in writing.
How to write a personal statement as a student:
Keep it to 3–5 sentences. Cover three things:
- Who you are (student, graduate, field of study)
- What you bring (skills, strengths, or experience)
- What you want (the type of role or industry you’re targeting)
Example:
“I’m a second-year Business Management student at the University of Manchester with a passion for marketing and digital content. I’ve gained hands-on experience through two internships and a university-run social media project that grew a student society’s following by 40%. I’m now looking for a part-time marketing assistant role where I can apply my skills in a professional setting.”
That’s it. Specific. Confident. Clean.
Pro Tip: Tailor your personal statement for every job you apply to. Swap out the last sentence to match the role. It takes two minutes and makes a big difference.
READ ALSO ABOUT : Top 10 Skills to Include in a Digital Marketing CV
Education
As a student, your education section carries more weight than it will later in your career. So don’t hide it.
What to include:
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Degree/Course | BSc Computer Science |
| University/School | University of Leeds |
| Dates | Sept 2022 – June 2025 (Expected) |
| Grade | 2:1 (or current GPA / predicted grade) |
| Relevant Modules | Data Structures, Web Development, AI Fundamentals |
List your most recent qualification first. If you’re still studying, write “Expected: [Year]” next to your graduation date.
Common Mistake: Students often forget to mention relevant modules. If a course relates to the job, list it. It shows depth.
Work Experience
This is where most students freeze up. “I don’t have experience” is something I hear all the time. But here’s what most people miss experience doesn’t mean a corporate job.
How to write a CV for a job with experience (and without it):
If you have work experience, use this format:
- Job title
- Company name and location
- Dates (Month/Year – Month/Year)
- 3–4 bullet points describing what you did and the impact
Use action verbs to start each bullet: Managed, Created, Increased, Supported, Organised, Delivered.
Example bullet points:
- Assisted in managing a team social media calendar, increasing engagement by 22%
- Responded to 30+ customer enquiries per day, maintaining a 4.8/5 satisfaction score
If you don’t have paid work experience, include any of the following:
- Freelance or voluntary work
- University society roles
- Group projects with measurable outcomes
- Part-time jobs (retail, food service — these show reliability and communication)
Skills
Skills to put on a CV as a student fall into two categories: hard skills and soft skills.
Hard Skills (technical, teachable):
- Microsoft Office / Google Workspace
- Programming languages (Python, Java, HTML/CSS)
- Data analysis (Excel, SPSS, Tableau)
- Social media management
- A second language
Soft Skills (interpersonal):
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
Pro Tip: Don’t just list “communication skills.” Back it up. Instead write: “Strong written communication — experience writing blog content and university reports.” That’s what stands out.
Don’t pad this section with every skill you’ve ever heard of. Pick 6–8 that are genuinely relevant to the role.
Achievements
This section is optional but powerful especially for students who want to stand out from other applicants with similar qualifications.
What counts as an achievement?
- Academic awards or scholarships
- Competition wins (hackathons, debates, business challenges)
- Projects with measurable results
- Leadership positions (head of society, team captain)
Example: “Winner, National University Debating Competition 2024 competed against 40 teams across the UK.”
Numbers make achievements real. If you can quantify it, do.
Volunteering and Extracurricular Activities
This section shows who you are beyond your grades. Employers love it, especially for entry-level roles.
What to include:
- Charity or community work
- University clubs and societies
- Sports teams
- Peer mentoring or tutoring
Format it the same way as your work experience section role, organisation, dates, and a couple of bullet points.
A student I helped recently listed their role as Treasurer for a university charity. They’d never had a “real” job, but that one entry showed budgeting skills, responsibility, and teamwork exactly what the employer needed.
Hobbies and Interests
Keep this section short 3–5 lines max. It’s not about filling space. It’s about showing personality and sparking conversation.
Do write:
- Interests that relate to the role (e.g., interest in personal finance for a banking role)
- Anything showing discipline or creativity (running, music, coding projects)
- Unique hobbies that make you memorable
Avoid:
- “Reading and socialising” — it says nothing
- Anything controversial
- A long, rambling paragraph
Quick Note: This section is genuinely read by interviewers. I’ve seen hobbies spark entire conversations during job interviews — don’t waste it.
References
In the UK and US, you typically need two references: one academic and one professional (or personal if you’re applying for your first job).
What to write:
You have two options:
- List your references with their name, title, organisation, email, and phone number
- Write “References available upon request”
Option 2 is perfectly acceptable and saves space. Most employers won’t contact references until they’re seriously considering you.
Common Mistake: Never list a reference without asking them first. Always check they’re happy to be contacted and brief them on the role you’re applying for.
Optional Extras That Make a Difference
Once your core 9 sections are done, consider adding one or more of these if they’re relevant:
- Certifications — Google, HubSpot, Coursera, Microsoft certificates
- Languages — specify your level (A1–C2 or Beginner/Fluent)
- Portfolio or GitHub link — essential for design, tech, or creative roles
- Publications or research — great for academic or science-based roles
Don’t force these in. Only add what genuinely adds value.
Quick CV Formatting Tips
Learning how to write a CV in English also means getting the format right. Here’s what works:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Use a clean, readable font (Arial, Calibri, 10–12pt) | Use decorative or coloured fonts |
| Keep it to 1–2 pages | Write more than 2 pages as a student |
| Use consistent formatting throughout | Mix bullet styles and heading sizes |
| Save as PDF unless asked otherwise | Send a .docx file that might break formatting |
| Use white space — don’t cram everything in | Leave no margins or breathing room |
Common CV Mistakes Students Make
I’ve reviewed hundreds of student CVs. Here are the mistakes that come up again and again:
- Using one CV for every job — always tailor it
- Listing duties instead of achievements — say what you achieved, not just what you did
- Spelling and grammar errors — run it through Grammarly and ask someone else to check it
- No keywords from the job description — use the same language the employer uses
- Too much or too little information — aim for 1 page (under 2 years experience) or 2 pages max
Pro Tip: Copy and paste the job description into a free word cloud tool. The biggest words are the keywords employers care about. Make sure they appear in your CV naturally.
FAQ
What to put on a CV as a student with no experience?
Focus on your education, transferable skills, and any voluntary or extracurricular activity. Part-time jobs, society roles, and group projects all count. Employers hiring students don’t expect years of work history — they want to see potential and attitude.
What are the most important skills to put on a CV as a student?
A mix of hard and soft skills works best. Include technical skills relevant to the role (e.g. coding, data analysis, design software) and soft skills like teamwork, communication, and time management backed up with brief examples.
How long should a student CV be?
One page is ideal if you have under 2 years of experience. Two pages are fine once you have more to say. Never go beyond two pages as a student it suggests you can’t prioritise information.
How do I write a simple CV for a job application as a beginner?
Start with a clean template (free ones on Google Docs or Canva). Fill in each section in order contact details, personal statement, education, experience, skills, and references. Keep it to one page, use bullet points, and save it as a PDF.
How do I write a CV in English if it’s not my first language?
Write in clear, simple English. Use short sentences. Avoid slang or overly casual language. Ask a native English speaker or use a grammar tool to check it. Many UK and US employers value international experience, so don’t hide your background.
What’s the difference between a CV and a resume?
In the UK, “CV” is the standard term. In the US, “resume” is more common. They’re essentially the same thing a summary of your experience and qualifications. US resumes tend to be one page; UK CVs can run to two.
Should I include a photo on my CV?
In the UK and US, no. It’s not expected and can lead to unconscious bias in the hiring process. In some European countries like Germany or France, a photo is more common but always check the norms for your target country first.
Final Thoughts
Your CV is the first impression you make on an employer before you shake hands, before you say a word. Getting it right matters.
Here are the three biggest takeaways:
- Structure it clearly — use all 10 sections so nothing important gets missed
- Tailor it for every role — one CV for all jobs rarely works
- Keep it honest and specific — real examples beat vague claims every time
Start with a clean template, fill in each section from this guide, and don’t overthink it. Your first CV doesn’t have to be perfect it just has to be honest, clear, and relevant.