Writing or adjusting your CV can be a difficult task for most people looking to find work. However, it can be even tougher if you are trying to write a CV when you have no work experience related to the job you are applying for.
Job hunting can be a confusing and stressful time particularly when you see an entry-level job advert that requires a certain amount of experience in the industry to even be considered. That’s right, even entry-level jobs ask for experienced candidates! Thankfully, the team at A Star Recruitment have put together a handy guide on how to write a CV with no work experience.
Do not feel disheartened if you see a job you feel you would be perfect for but the advert is asking for a level of experience you do not have. Our tips below can help you to produce an impressive CV even if you are lacking with the amount of work experience you have.
Mention Other Experience You Have
Just because you do not have work experience related to the position you are applying for it does not mean that other experiences you have will not look good or be worth mentioning on your CV. Your education is always worth mentioning as it gives any potential employer the opportunity to see how well you performed in during your school years.
Any form of work experience should also be included in the CV even if it was unpaid. Just because you may not have actual experience to do with the job you are applying for it does not mean that any other experiences you have gained will not be useful or be a good addition when you are writing a CV.
Talk About Your Interests
When you are writing a CV with no work experience it is also valuable to outline what you do in your spare time. What are your hobbies and interests? By listing them it is not only a great way to get across an impression of your personality but there may also be something you do in your personal time that could be useful or beneficial in your potential new job. If you have had a hobby for a particularly long time it also shows a dedication to a field.
Also remember to incorporate significant achievements you have made throughout your life as this is also a great indicator of your personality, which can only help with your job application. These can include things along the lines of finishing a marathon and performing charity work.
Tailor Your Cover Letter and CV
If you have no experience and are writing a CV, make sure that you write your CV with the job you are applying for in mind. A generic CV will not help you, especially if you have no work experience related to the job.
You need to make sure your CV and your cover letter are tailored to state why you are perfect for that one job and because you lack experience your cover letter is a great way to open your application by giving the employer the chance to see that in spite of your low experience levels you are still ideal for the job.
Perform Voluntary Work
Despite the fact that voluntary work is unpaid it is a fantastic way to strengthen your CV as it could give you the experience that you currently lack for the jobs you have been applying for. That way the next time you go to write a CV you will be able to include the areas you have gained experience in, which will give your application a better chance of being accepted.
There are many ways in which you can still submit a high quality, well-written CV with no experience. It is all about making sure that the additional sections and points you include give you the best chance possible of obtaining an interview.
For more information, or for advice on how to strengthen your CV with no experience then please do not hesitate to contact the A Star Recruitment team. Our experienced, supportive staff are on hand to help you in the search for your next job.
