One of the biggest mistakes undergraduates make is waiting until their final year or after graduation before creating a CV. Then, when an internship, scholarship, leadership opportunity, or part-time job comes up, they panic because they have nothing to submit.
If you’re an undergraduate wondering where to start, this guide will walk you through it and give you full details on how to write a CV with no experience, and a free CV template for students.
The truth is that; you don’t need years of experience to have a good CV. You simply need to present what you have in the right way. A CV is not a document that proves you’ve worked for ten companies. It’s a document that shows your potential, skills, and experiences in a clear and professional manner.
What is a CV?
A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a document that summarizes your education, skills, experiences, achievements, and other relevant information. It gives recruiters, scholarship committees, or internship coordinators a quick overview of who you are.
As a student, your CV won’t look the same as someone with ten years of experience, and that’s completely normal. All you need is to know how to write a CV with no experience.
How to Write a CV (For Undergraduate/Students ]
1. Your Personal Information
At the top of your CV, include:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Professional email address
- LinkedIn profile (if you have one)
- Portfolio or personal website (if applicable)
Avoid adding unnecessary details like your religion, marital status, date of birth, or state of origin unless specifically requested.
2. A Professional Summary
This is a short paragraph (2–4 lines) introducing yourself.
Mention:
- Your current course of study.
- Your strengths.
- The type of opportunity you’re seeking.
Example
Motivated undergraduate studying Economics with strong communication, research, and problem-solving skills. Passionate about learning and eager to gain practical experience through internships and leadership opportunities.
3. Education
For most undergraduates, this should come near the top.
Include:
- University
- Degree
- Course of study
- Expected graduation year
- CGPA (if it’s strong)
Example:
University of Lagos
B.Sc. Computer Science
Expected Graduation: 2028
Current CGPA: 4.45/5.00
4. Relevant Experience
“But I’ve never worked before.” That’s okay. Your experience isn’t limited to paid jobs. Here’s how to write a CV with no experience. You can include:
- SIWES or industrial training
- Volunteer work
- Student leadership
- Freelance projects
- Campus ambassador roles
- Teaching
- Personal projects
- Family business responsibilities: If your parents own a business and you have assisted with sales, customer service, or even logistics/delivery, then it counts as work experience and can be included in your CV.
For each experience, describe what you actually did rather than simply listing the role.
Instead of writing:
Volunteer at XYZ organization
Write:
Volunteer, XYZ company, Location.
- Assisted in organizing a community outreach attended by over 150 participants.
- Coordinated registration and managed participant records.
- Worked with a team of volunteers to ensure smooth event execution.
This tells employers what you’re capable of doing.
Note: If you do not fall into any of the categories above, include school projects/group assignments/research assignments you have worked on.
State the course title and briefly describe the nature of the project and what you achieved with this work.
5. Skills
Only include skills you genuinely possess. Some examples include:
Technical Skills
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Google Workspace
- Canva
- Data analysis
- Graphic design
- Video editing
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking
Whenever possible, support these skills with experiences elsewhere in your CV.
6. Certifications
Online courses count too.
Examples:
- Google Career Certificates
- Coursera
- LinkedIn Learning
- Microsoft Learn
- Alison
- Udemy
Certifications show initiative and a willingness to learn beyond the classroom.
7. Leadership and Extracurricular Activities
Recruiters appreciate students who contribute outside academics.
Include activities such as:
- Departmental associations
- Student union roles
- Religious organizations
- Debate clubs
- Volunteering
- NGO participation
- Campus organizations
Leadership demonstrates responsibility, teamwork, and communication skills.
8. Awards and Achievements
If you’ve received recognition, don’t hide it.
Include:
- Scholarships
- Academic awards
- Competition wins
- Dean’s List
- Hackathons
- Essay competitions
Every achievement strengthens your profile.
Common CV Mistakes Undergraduates Make
Avoid these common CV mistakes when writing:
- Using unprofessional email addresses.
- Including irrelevant personal information.
- Writing long paragraphs instead of bullet points.
- Using multiple fonts and distracting colours.
- Listing skills you cannot demonstrate.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes.
- Making the CV more than one page.
Keep it clean, simple, and easy to read.
Tips for Your Undergraduate/Student CV
Your first CV doesn’t need to be perfect. While important, it only needs to accurately represent who you are today.
As you gain internships, leadership roles, certifications, projects, and work experience, continue updating it. Remember that opportunities often come without warning, and ready CV means you’re always prepared to apply, so learn how to write a CV today.
Free CV Template for Students
This template is perfect if you’re searching for how to write a CV as a student with no experience.
YOUR FULL NAME
Phone Number | Professional Email | LinkedIn | Portfolio (Optional)
Professional Summary
Write 2–4 lines summarizing who you are, what you study, your key strengths, and the opportunity you’re seeking.
Education
University Name
Degree and Course of Study
Expected Graduation: Year
CGPA (Optional)
Relevant Experience
Role – Organization
Month Year – Month Year
- Achievement or responsibility
- Achievement or responsibility
- Achievement or responsibility
Leadership Experience
Position | Organization
- Responsibility
- Responsibility
Skills
Technical Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace
- Canva
- Excel
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Time Management
Certifications
- Certification Name – Organization (Year)
- Certification Name – Organization (Year)
Awards and Achievements
- Award or Scholarship
- Competition
- Academic Recognition
Volunteer Experience
Role | Organization
- Responsibility
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