How to Write a Graduate CV (tips & examples), by CV Genius on YouTube. 5 min 47 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 47 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Pick a simple one-page layout with clear headings. Put your name and contact details at the top, then sections in this order: personal statement, education, work experience, skills.
Read the job advert and note the skills and keywords it asks for. You will reuse these words in your statement and skills section so the CV matches the role.
Write a short personal statement of two to three sentences. Say what you studied, one relevant strength and what kind of role you want.
Build the statement with a simple formula: who you are, what you offer, and what you are applying for. Keep it under 60 words and cut any generic phrases.
List your education with the degree title, university, dates and expected or actual grade. Add two or three relevant modules or a dissertation title under it.
Add a work section for part-time jobs, internships, volunteering and society roles. For each, give the job title, employer and dates.
Format each work entry with two or three bullet points. Start each bullet with an action verb and add a number or result where you can, such as customers served or money raised.
Create a skills section split into technical and soft skills. List only skills you can back up with an example, such as software, languages or teamwork from a group project.
Check the whole CV for the most common mistake: listing duties instead of achievements. Rewrite any line that only says what you were responsible for.
Save as a PDF, keep the file name as your name, and proofread for spelling and date errors before you send it.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep the CV to one page until you have several years of full-time work behind you.
Mirror the exact wording of the job advert for skills and job titles to pass automated screening.
Use the same font and spacing throughout and leave white space between sections so it is easy to scan.
Never invent grades or job titles, as employers check references and certificates.
Questions
What if I have no work experience at all?
Use education, coursework, volunteering, societies and personal projects to fill the work section. Any role where you showed up on time and worked with others counts.
Should I include a photo on a graduate CV?
In the UK and US, leave the photo off. It adds nothing and can invite bias. Follow the local norm if you apply abroad.
How long should a graduate CV be?
One page is enough for most graduates. Only go to two pages if you have several internships and a long list of relevant projects.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
