The Complete CV Guide for Recent Graduates

The Big Challenge of Your First CV

Landing your first job is an exciting milestone — but also a stressful one. The most common question is: "How do I write a convincing CV when I have little professional experience?"

The good news is that recruiters know you are just starting out. What they look for in a recent graduate is above all potential, motivation and the skills gained during your studies.

Showcase Your Academic Background

Without a long list of professional experiences, your academic record is your main asset. Highlight it:

• Precise name and title of your degree: Bachelor's, Master's, HND, Diploma...
• Institution and graduation year
• Grade or honours if notable
• Key subjects and projects if relevant to the target role: "Final year project on data analysis using Python"

Don't hesitate to list technical courses or academic projects that demonstrate skills directly applicable to the job.

Make the Most of Internships and Student Jobs

Even a few weeks of experience can be valuable if presented well. For each internship or student job:

• Clearly state the company name, duration and your role
• List 2 to 4 concrete tasks you carried out
• If possible, mention a result or achievement: "Developed a reporting tool that reduced processing time by 30%"

Personal Projects: An Often-Overlooked Goldmine

Have you built a website, developed an app, managed a student society or run a YouTube channel? These experiences are highly valued by recruiters as they show initiative, curiosity and the ability to go beyond the academic framework.

Create a "Projects" section and list your personal achievements with a brief description.

Skills: Hard Skills and Soft Skills

Hard Skills

List the technical skills acquired during your studies:

• Programming languages, software, tools
• Foreign languages with your level (B2, C1, bilingual...)
• Certifications obtained (Microsoft, Google, Coursera...)

Soft Skills

Behavioural skills are highly sought in recent graduates:

• Learning ability: recruiters know you have a lot to learn
• Teamwork and communication
• Adaptability and intellectual curiosity

But be careful: don't just list words. Illustrate each soft skill with a concrete example.

Extracurricular and Voluntary Activities

Have you been the president of a student society, captain of a sports team, or a peer tutor? These experiences validate your soft skills in a tangible way. Include them in an "Activities & Involvement" section.

Formatting Tips for Recent Graduates

• One page only: you don't yet have enough experience to justify two pages
• A clean, professional design: avoid overly creative templates if you are applying in a traditional sector
• A professional photo if customary in your country or industry
• A strong opening summary at the top of your CV summarising your profile and motivation

Get Started with CV Creator

CV Creator offers templates specifically suited to recent graduates: clean, modern and professional. Fill in your information, reorganise your sections according to your strengths and download your CV as a PDF for just €2. Your career starts here!