cv personal statement examples for students with no experience

CV personal statement examples

If you want to secure job interview, you need a strong personal statement at the top of your CV.

Your CV personal statement is a short paragraph which sits at the very top of your CV – and it’s aim is to summarise the benefits of hiring you and encourage employers to read your CV in full.

In this guide I have included 17 CV personal statement examples from a range of professions and experience levels, plus a detailed guide of how to write your own personal statement that will get you noticed by employers

CV templates 

17 CV personal statement examples

To start this guide, I have included 10 examples of good personal statements, to give you an idea of how a personal statement should look , and what should be included.

Note: personal statements are generally used by junior candidates – if you are experienced, check out our CV profile examples instead.

Graduate CV personal statement (no experience)

Although this  graduate has no paid work experience, they compensate for it by showcasing all of the skills and knowledge the have gained during their studies, and demonstrating how they apply their knowledge in academic and personal projects.

When you have little or no experience, it’s important to draw out transferable workplace skills from your studies and extracurricular work, to showcase them to employers.

Graduate CV personal statement (part time freelance experience)

This candidate has graduated with a degree in biochemistry but actually wants to start a career in digital marketing after providing some digital freelance services to fund their studies.

In this case, they haven’t made much mention of their studies because they aren’t relevant to the digital marketing agencies they are applying to. Instead they have focused their personal statement around their freelance work and passion for the digital field – although they still mention the fact they are degree educated to prove their academic success.

School leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

This candidate is 16 years old and has no work experience whatsoever, but they compensate for this by detailing their academic achievements that relate to the roles they are applying for (maths and literacy are important requirements in finance and accountancy roles).

They also add some info on their extracurricular activities and school work-placements, to strengthen this student CV further.

    Top tips for writing a CV personal statement

• Thoroughly research the jobs and companies you are planning to apply for to identify the type of candidate they are looking for – try to reflect that in your personal statement
• Don’t be afraid to brag a little – include some of your most impressive achievements from education, work or personal life
• Focus on describing the benefits an employer will get from hiring you. Will you help them to get more customers? Improve their workplace? Save them time and money?
• If you have no work experience, demonstrate transferable workplace skills from your education, projects, or even hobbies

School leaver CV personal statement (part time experience)

Although this person has only just left school, they have also undertaken some part-time work in a call centre alongside their studies.

To make the most of this experience, they have combined their academic achievements with their workplace exposure in this personal statement.

By highlighting their GCSE results, summer programme involvement, work experience and expressing their ambitions to progress within sales, this candidate really makes an appealing case for hiring them.

College leaver CV personal statement (no experience)

This candidate has left college with good grades, but does not yet have any work experience.

To compensate for the lack of workplace exposure, they have made their A level results prominent and highlighted skills and experience which would benefit the employers they are targeting.

Any recruiter reading this profile can quickly understand that this candidate has great academic achievements, a passion for IT and finance and the ability to transfer their skills into an office environment.

College student CV personal statement (freelance experience)

As this student has picked up a small amount of freelance writing work during their studies, they have made sure to brag about it in their personal statement.

They give details on their relevant A level studies to show the skills they are learning, and boost this further by highlighting the fact that they have been applying these skills in a real-life work setting by providing freelance services.

They also include key action verbs that recruiters will be looking for , such as creative writing, working to deadlines, and producing copy.

Academic CV personal statement

Aside from junior candidates, the only other people who might use a personal statement, are academic professionals; as their CV’s tend to be more longer and detailed than other professions.

This candidate provides a high level overview of their field of study, length of experience, and the roles they have held within universities.

School leaver CV personal statement with and sports experience

Although this person has no work experience, they are still able to show employers the value of hiring them by selling their other achievements and explaining how they could benefit an organisation.

They expand on their sports club involvement to demonstrate their teamwork, leadership skills, communication and motivation, which are all important traits in the workplace, and will be looked upon favourably by recruiters and hiring managers.

They also draw upon their future plans to study business studies and take a part time job, to further prove their ambition and dedication.

History graduate CV personal statement

This history graduate proves their aptitude for both academic achievement and workplace aptitude by showcasing valuable skills from their degree and voluntary work.

They do this by breaking down the key requirements for each and showing how their skills could be beneficial for future employers, such as listening, communication, and crisis management.

They also describe how their ability to balance studies alongside voluntary work has not only boosted their knowledge and skills, but also given excellent time management and organisational skills – which are vital assets to any employer.

Law graduate CV personal statement

This legal graduate makes the most from their work university work placements by using it to bulk out the contents of their CV personal statement.

They include their degree to show they have the necessary qualifications for legal roles, which is crucial, but more importantly, they showcase how they applied their legal skills within a real-life work setting.

They give a brief overview of the types of legal professionals they have been working alongside and the type of work they have been carrying out – this is all it takes to get the attention of recruiters and show employers they have what it takes to fulfil roles in the legal sector.

Medical student CV personal statement

This medical student proves their fit for the role by showcasing the key skills they have gained from their studies and their work experience placements.

In just these few sentences, they are able to highlight the vast amount of experience they have across different disciplines in the industry, something which is particularly important in the medical sector.

As they have not graduated yet and are still studying, they have provided proof of their most recent grades. This can give the recruiter some indication as to the type of grade they could be graduating with in the near future.

Masters student CV personal statement

This masters student has started by specifying their area of study, in this case, accounting, and given details about the specific areas of finance they are most interested in. This can hint towards their career goals and passions.

They have then carefully listed some of the key areas of accounting and finance that they are proficient in. For example, business finance, advanced corporate finance and statistics.

They have also outlined some of the transferable skills needed for accounting roles that employers will be looking out for, such as communication, attention to detail and analytical skills.

Finance student CV personal statement

As this finance student has recently undertaken some relevant work experience, they’ve made sure to shout about this in their personal profile.

But more than this, they have included a list of some of the important finance skills they gained as a result of this work experience – for example, financial reporting, processing invoices and month-end reconciliations.

Plus, through power words and phrases such as ‘prevent loss’ and ‘ improve upon accuracy and efficiency’, they have also showcased how they can apply these skills in a workplace setting to benefit the potential employer.

Internship  CV personal statement

This digital marketing professional has started their personal profile by outlining their most relevant qualifications and work experience, most notably their freelance role as a content manager.

They have also provided examples of some of the key marketing skills that potential employers might be looking for, including very detailed examples of the platforms and tools they are proficient in – for example, LinkedIn, Twitter and Pinterest.

They have then closed their statement by giving a detailed description of the type of role or opportunity they are looking for. In this case, an in-house position in a marketing company.

Graduate career changer personal statement

Switching careers as a graduate can be tough. Especially when it comes to writing a personal statement that will attract employers in your new chosen field.

This candidate is looking to move from history teaching into journalism, so they have created a statement which briefly mentions their current workplace, but mainly focuses on highlighting transferable skills which are relevant to journalism. They achieve this by discussing the writing skills they use in their current role, and mentioning their hobby of writing – including some publications they have been featured in for extra brownie points.

Business management graduate personal statement

This business management proves their ability to work within a junior business management position by swiftly highlighting their impressive degree (to ensure it is not missed) and summarising some of the real-life experience they have gained in management during their university placements and volunteering. They do not let their lack of paid work experience, stop them demonstrating their valuable skills.

PhD graduate

PhD graduate roles attract a lot of competition, so it’s important that your CV contains a personal statement that will quickly impress and attract recruiters.

This candidate provides a short-but-comprehensive overview of their academic achievements, whilst demonstrating their exceptional level of knowledge in research, languages and publication writing.

By highlighting a number of skills and abilities that are in high-demand in the academic workplace, this CV is very likely to get noticed and land interviews.

How to write a personal statement for your CV

Now that you’ve seen what a personal statement should look like and the type of content it should contain, follow this detailed guide to one for your own CV – and start racking those interviews up.

Guide contents

What is a CV personal statement?

Cv personal statement or cv profile, personal statement format, what to include in a cv personal statement.

• Personal statement mistakes

How to write persuasively

A personal statement is a short paragraph at the top of your CV which gives employers an overview of your education, skills and experience

It’s purpose is to capture the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers when your CV is first opened – encouraging them to read the rest of it.

You achieve this by writing a tailored summary of yourself that explains your suitability for the roles you are applying for at a very high level, and matches your target job descriptions .

One question candidates often ask me is , “what is the difference between a personal statement and a CV profile?”

To be honest, they are almost the same – they are both introductory paragraphs that sit at the top of your CV… but there are 2 main differences

A personal statement tends to be used more by junior candidates (graduates, school leavers etc.) and is relatively long and detailed.

A CV profile tends to be favoured by more experienced candidates , and is shorter in length than a personal statement.

Note: If you are an experienced candidate, you may want to switch over to my CV profile writing guide , or example CV profiles page.

To ensure you grab recruiters’ attention with your personal statement, lay it out in the following way.

Positioning

You need to ensure that your personal statement sits at the very top of your CV, and all of it should be totally visible to readers, without the need to scroll down the page.

Do this by reducing the top page margin and minimising the space taken up by your contact details.

This will ensure that your whole personal statement can be seen, as soon as your CV is opened.

We have a Word CV template which can help you to get this right.

Size/length

Your personal statement needs to contain enough detail to provide an introduction to your skills and knowledge, but not so much detail that it bores readers.

To strike the right balance, anything between 8-15 lines of text is perfect – and sentences should be sharp and to-the-point.

As with the whole of your CV or resume , your personal statement should be written in a simple clean font at around size 10-12 to ensure that it can be read easily by all recruiters and employers.

Keep the text colour simple , ensuring that it contrasts the background (black on white is best) and break it into 2 or even 3 paragraphs for a pleasant reading experience.

It should also be written in a punchy persuasive tone, to help you sell yourself and increase your chances of landing interviews , I cover how to do this in detail further down the guide.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional CV templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Once you have the style and format of your personal statement perfected, you need to fill it with compelling content that tells recruiters that your CV is worth reading.

Here’s what needs to go into your personal statement…

Before you start writing your personal statement, it’s crucial that you research your target roles to find out exactly what your new potential employers are looking for in a candidate.

Run a search for your target jobs on one of the major job websites , look through plenty of adverts and make a list of the candidate requirements that frequently appear.

This research will show you exactly what to include in your personal statement in order to impress the recruiters who will be reading it.

Education and qualifications are an important aspect of your personal statement, especially if you are a junior candidate.

You should highlight your highest and most relevant qualifications, whether that is a degree, A levels or GCSEs. You could potentially go into some more detail around modules, papers etc. if they are relevant to the roles you are applying for.

It’s important that you discuss the experience you have gained in your personal statement, to give readers an idea of the work you are comfortable undertaking.

This can of course be direct employed work experience, but it doesn’t have to be.

You can also include:

• School/college Uni work placements
• Voluntary work
• Personal projects
• Hobbies/interests

As with all aspects of your CV , the content should be tailored to match the requirements of your target roles.

Whilst discussing your experience, you should touch upon skills used, industries worked in, types of companies worked for, and people you have worked with.

Where possible, try to show the impact your actions have made. E.g . A customer service agent helps to make sales for their employer.

Any industry-specific knowledge you have that will be useful to your new potential employers should be made prominent within your personal statement.

For example

• Knowledge of financial regulations will be important for accountancy roles
• Knowledge of IT operating systems will be important for IT roles
• Knowledge of the national curriculum will be important for teachers

You should also include some information about the types of roles you are applying for, and why you are doing so. Try to show your interest and passion for the field you are hoping to enter, because employers want to hire people who have genuine motivation and drive in their work.

This is especially true if you don’t have much work experience, as you need something else to compensate for it.

CV personal statement mistakes

The things that you omit from your personal statement can be just as important as the things you include.

Try to keep the following out of your personal statement..

Irrelevant info

Any information that doesn’t fall into the requirements of your target roles can be cut out of your personal statement. For example, if you were a professional athlete 6 years ago, that’s great – but it won’t be relevant if you’re applying to advertising internships, so leave it out.

Generic clichés

If you are describing yourself as a “ dynamic team player with high levels of motivation and enthusiasm” you aren’t doing yourself any favours.

These cliché terms are vastly overused and don’t provide readers with any factual details about you – so keep them to a minimum.

Stick to solid facts like education, skills , experience, achievements and knowledge.

If you really want to ensure that your personal statement makes a big impact, you need to write in a persuasive manner.

So, how do you so this?

Well, you need to brag a little – but not too much

It’s about selling yourself and appearing confident, without overstepping the mark and appearing arrogant.

For example, instead of writing.

“Marketing graduate with an interest in entering the digital field”

Be creative and excite the reader by livening the sentence up like this,

“Marketing graduate with highest exam results in class and a passion for embarking on a long and successful career within digital”

The second sentence is a much more interesting, makes the candidate appear more confident, throws in some achievements, and shows off a wider range of writing skills.

Quick tip: A poorly written CV will fail to impress recruiters and employers. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder to create a winning CV in minutes with professional templates and pre-written content for every industry.

Your own personal statement will be totally unique to yourself, but by using the above guidelines you will be able to create one which shows recruiters everything they need.

Remember to keep the length between 10-20 lines and only include the most relevant information for your target roles.

You can also check our school leaver CV example , our best CV templates , or our library of example CVs from all industries.

Good luck with the job hunt!

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5 College Student No Experience Resume Examples & Templates [Edit Free]

College Student No Experience Resume

• College Student No Experience 2
• College Student No Experience 3
• College Student No Experience 4
• College Student No Experience 5
• Resume Writing 101

Sometimes, ambitious college students can’t wait to start working. Janee considered how to show value on her resume as a grad: Dreaming of working as a business analyst at Resource Data fueled her to research the company and think of relevant college achievements.

Janee recalled real projects from her degree in math and economics that saved a local manufacturer thousands. Even her stint as basketball captain highlighted her ability to organize, boost morale, and drive positive results.

Referencing her class movie recommendation project and the time her random forest model outperformed projections by 19 percent, Janee topped off her college student no experience resume with a career objective . Bam—hired. Try our resume templates for yourself; we can’t wait to applaud your success, too!

or download as PDF

College Student No Experience 2 Resume

College Student No Experience 3 Resume

College Student No Experience 4 Resume

College Student No Experience 5 Resume

Related resume examples

• Current College Student
• College Student Internship
• College Graduate
• Grad School
• College Student

What Matters Most: Your Skills & Background Experience

When you lack experience, your skills become more important than ever! As a college student, you now have a nice, clear understanding of what you can do, and recruiters want to know all about it.

Make sure you list skills that are relevant to your field. For example: If you’re eager to step into the world of business analysis, then prioritize technical skills and highly relevant abilities.

And make sure those skills are worded in a deliberate and specific way, too! The last thing you want is to sound too apathetic about your future role to dig deeper than the usual generic terms on your resume.

Here are some examples of more specific skills you can use to show off your potential:

9 Best College Student No Experience Skills

• scikit-learn
• Linear Regressions
• Logistic Regressions
• Data Reporting
• Google Sheets

Sample College Student No Experience Work Experience Bullet Points

Now we’re on to the fun part! No really: It’s time to get creative and look for some nifty spins to put on your past projects and internships. Class groups, teams, clubs, and volunteer initiatives can all be used to demonstrate your ability to make the most of your skills, too.

Just make sure that anything you include is highly relevant to the field you want to work in! Use those sharp, specific skills you honed earlier to recall examples of experiences when you used them.

And always measure the impact you had when you reached those milestones! Use quantifiable data to back up your achievements and make them look way more credible:

• Reported to executives during business analytics class and initiated re-evaluation of resource allocation, saving $47K in vendor costs
• Aggregated data from Rotten Tomatoes and used k-nearest-neighbors in scikit-learn to improve recommendation system for personal tastes, boosting positive feedback by 12%
• Organized a community outreach for the university basketball team to train at-risk high school students and boost morale, leading high school teams to win 92% of total games
• Compiled and prepped 4 years of fantasy football projection data from 8 independent sources into a MySQL database, boosting positive ratings by 14%

Top 5 Tips for Your College Student No Experience Resume

• I know, I know, we just talked about it, but this really is a crucial aspect of your resume! When you don’t have any job experience yet, you’ll really need to hand-pick the most relevant bits and pieces of as many projects and college teams as you can.
• Many people hear “one page” and assume that filling their resume page is as important as limiting themselves to one page only. But this isn’t the case: Just focus on your best relevant achievements and allow some white space for things to breathe.
• Get strategic about your skill placement. Group similar types of skills together, such as everything related to Python, followed by everything related to data analytics, and so on.
• By all means, try out as many of our resume templates as you can! But while you compare them, keep a deliberate eye out for which one makes your college and project history look the fullest and most impressive.
• Keeping your experience examples sleek and to-the-point demonstrates your ability to get things done and convey info efficiently. You don’t have time to ramble since recruiters have to read things quickly!

Honestly, this isn’t something to worry much about: As long as it’s all together in one place and easy for recruiters to spot at a glance, you’re fine.

Customize it for each job description . It’s easy: All you need to do is reference the job description again and grab some key phrases and buzzwords to switch out in your resume, and boom: You’re now delivering a hand-tailored resume that’s designed to impress!

In our honest opinion, writing a cover letter is better. You get the best of both worlds: Your project and educational history will be able to take center stage while you use your cover letter to detail your qualifications in greater depth than you’d be able to with an objective statement.

• We’ll show you how, step-by-step • Real, practical tips and tools • 100% free

CV Examples Cabin crew

CV Examples for Students + Comprehensive Guide

We have all been there, being a job-hunting student trying to crush a job application , land our first job, that precious internship, etc. Here, we help you navigate the first step of the process: Crafting your best possible CV as a student.

• 1. Student cv examples
• 2. How to write a CV as a Student
• 2.1 Previous work
• 2.2 Student CV format
• 2.3 Student CV layout
• 3. CV Header for students
• 4. CV personal statement student
• 5. Skills for student CV
• 6. Work experience
• 7. Student cv with no work experience at all
• 8. Education or Qualifications section
• 9. Additional sections on a student CV

Student CV Examples

Among the following student CV examples you can find a recent-graduate looking for a summer job related with electronics, an BA student looking for an internship, a nurse student CV, a student teacher CV, a grad school resume, and an economics college student looking for a position in the academic job market. Easily browse these sample resumes in PDF format by clicking the "Download CV button"

High School Student about to start Vocational School with a no-experience resume

University student - Senior year CV example

College student without experience outside academia.

Student Teacher CV example

Student Nurse CV example

How to write a great CV as a Student

Many people tend to think that crafting a great Cv as a student is more complicated than usual, since students tend to have a shorter work history or no work history at all. In this article we debunk some myths, include real-life samples, and challenge you to do some introspective work to be able to come up with the best possible version of your CV. Shifting the focus to sections like the personal statement , the skills section , the education section , etc. without forgetting about the work history, that even though it won't probably be the most important section on your CV, it can definitely help you build a stronger application. Let's dive in!

Grammar mistakes are a huge red flag for recruiters, not because they expect candidates to have excellent written skills but because they mean that you didn't pay attention to the details, and in a competitive job-market this is a basic and very important skill that they will find in other candidates. Grammar mistakes in your Student CV are very easy to fix: Make sure you use a grammar checking tool when writing your CV.

Things to consider before Starting your Student CV

Before kickstarting your student CV writing process, we highly encourage you to stop for a second and understand why you need a CV. The most likely scenario is that you need it to apply to a specific role or set of roles. In this case we encourage you to identify what skills are necessary for these target roles or singlerole. Some of the skills can be easily found in the role's job description; others require a little bit of industry knowledge and common sense. Checking the business' physical or online presence can also help.

The next step will be to spot specific examples within your experiences (if you have them), academic background, academic achievements, experiences, volunteering, free-time activities or hobbies, etc. that proof you have acquired and/or practiced those skills, and are ready to apply them in the role/roles you are applying to. Use the recommended CV sections that you will find below to make sure you cover them all.

This exercise of identifying these skills will give you a huge advantage, and the next step will be to write a "master CV" that you will be able to use as a base to create new variations for many target roles if you want to do so.

The perfect student CV format & useful tips

Like usual, there isn't a one-size-fits-all format. The best format for a student CV will depend on the amount of work history and information you have. Students with lots of relevant work history and academic background will pick CV templates with larger room for these types of sections, while students with fewer professional history will pick a template that can fill up a page with fewer content. It also depends if you are also attaching cover letters or not.

In addition to the template/ design, the format of a student CV is determined by the structure and order of its sections, that we will cover in the next segment. Depending on the structure and sections you pick, it will be considered a skill-based CV or a Chronological CV,but don't get too messed up with these terms, since hint: it doesn't really matter how your CV format is called.

Skill-based CVs tend to be more common among students, since this format highlights your abilities and qualifications over heavily focusing on your work history like the reverse-chronological CV does.

One important tip is that no matter what you turn your CV in as a PDF, even if you use a Miscrosoft Word CV template to make it. The reason is because turning your CV otherwise can very easily alter its format and content, and you want to avoid this at all costs. Of course, this rule doesn't apply if the job application form specifically requests a file other than a PDF, then turn it in the specifically requested format. But otherwise, even if it isn't specified, always turn in a PDF CV. Find here PDF CV templates .

Student CV Layout

The general rule says that you should be able to fit your CV in one page; this is especially easy in the case of students. Remember that if your CV is longer than that, you can always use an online CV like the one you can see below, or a portfolio type of website to present extended information. That being said, teaching and research positions in academia tend to accept and actually prefer long CVs with all the candidate's information; in these cases CVs can be 2 pages or even more.

The layout of your student CV will depend on the importance you want to give to the work history section. In order to decide this, check out this segment . If you have relevant experience, we recommend you to go with the first layout, if you have a work history but most of the transferable skills are in other parts of your CV like your interests, your academic background, personal statement, the skills section, etc. then go with the second one, and if you have no experience at all then go with the third one.

Personal Statement

Work Experience

Additional Sections

These are just proposed layouts; the final ideal section structure will have to be decided on a case-to-case basis, depending both on the student's profile and the skills required in the target roles.

In terms of your CV format, it is important to make sure that it can be properly read by ATS applicant tracking software . And in terms of its content, it's equally crucial to follow this article's guidelines to ensure your student CV covers the minimum requirements for the role. If your CV can't be read by these softwares or you haven't include the right keywords , there is a big chance your CV won't get to the eyes of a human.

CV Header for students

This is a comprehensive list of action verbs you should be using on your cabin crew CV:

Often overlooked, the CV header is inevitably the segment that will be first noticed on your CV, therefore it is smart to make good use of it. In addition to your full name, your cabin crew CV header should contain:

• A valid and professional and valid email address. High school students and other students should avoid using emails with nicknames and other addresses created just for fun. Ideally use an email that uses your name and surname. If you don't want to change your email address with these characteristics, just create a new one and forward incoming email to your old email address.
• A valid phone number
• A professional CV headline, also known as Job title , is a one-liner of your most relevant / prominent skills. Here you have a whole article that will help you craft the best CV headline. Check out the CV headline examples for students.
• Location or desired location
• Social media profile links
• Personal website links
• Availability

Even though it is very obvious, it's important to mention that both email address and phone number should be yours, don't use email addresses or phone numbers that belong to other people.

CV headline for students - Great examples

Highly-motivated student with passion for electronics and robotics

BA Student with experience managing a channel with >1K Subscribers

Awarded Student with 4 experience pursuing an MBA at UCLA

Creative BA Student with strong digital branding skills

Hospitality management senior bilingual in English and Spanish

Marketing Student with 2 years experience with real clients

Immigration Law recent graduate with 1 year experience

Journalism sophomore with strong video editing skills

Nursing school junior with focusing on palliative care

Civil Engineering Technician with land surveying experience

UX Designer with 8 years product design role experience

High School student

BA student ready to work

BA student looking for opportunity

Marketing Student

Nursing School Junior

Civil Engineering senior looking for summer internship

2d Year academic foundation programme practicioner

Hospitality Management Student

Do you notice the difference? It's not that these last CV headlines are completely wrong; definitely better to add these rather than not adding a CV Headline at all; however, they are missing an opportunity to mention key skills that define you and that ideally align with the target role.

CV Personal Statement

Also known as "professional summary", "executive summary", "about me", etc. this is the section for you to shine as a highly motivated and capable student. This section is a brief summary of your skills and experience, where you will explain at a glance: who you are and what you have done over the years. After reading the job description as described here , you want this summary to detail why you are the ideal candidate for the position. This means that ideally, the personal statement should be rewritten for each position you apply to. If you are applying to very similar positions and come up with a summary, that is good for all of them, that is also a good way to go about it.

Be as concise as you can be: the ideal length of the professional summary on a student CV is one or two paragraphs, with no more than 200 words.

As you can see in the following example, the personal statement, can also include your career goal or CV objective, since lately there has been voices against including this in a specific section on your CV. This goal shouldn't be vague and must be totally aligned with the company's goals.

CV personal statement student examples

I am a multi-disciplinary creative professional with a passion for digital marketing channels and design. At a young age I got involved in multiple projects around personal and corporate communication and branding, including my Digital Marketing Youtube channel with over 1K subscribers. These projects have allowed me to develop a deep knowledge and understanding of how the main marketing channels work, as well as applying a wide range of skills like illustration, photo and video editing, motion graphics, etc.

With a year of experience in the retail industry and about to finish my double major in English and Scenic art studies, I am currently looking for a creative digital marketing position where I can be involved in the campaign design and strategy process in order to kickstart my career in the advertising industry.

I am a BA Student that has acquired excellent communication and visual art skills through my years of education and personal projects. I am a very curious person, specifically when it comes to social media platforms and I am highly motivated to add value to the company as a key part of your team.

Student CV key skills section

Skills are commonly divided into two categories: Hard and soft-skills. The hard skills are those skills that can be measured more easily, like languages or technical skills. You can say that you are proficient in the usage of Adobe Photoshop or fluent in Spanish and there isn't much room for interpretation: we are going to assume you can use photoshop like a pro and hold a conversation in Spanish understanding that you could make mistakes but these won't affect communication. These type of skills can be listed and included in your CV by quantifying them whether with proficiency descriptions or with scale charts:

Soft skills, on the other hand, are inter-personal and behaviorial skills, very hard to quantify and highly subject to interpretation. Therefore, it isn't generally a good idea to use lists to include soft-skills in a CV; instead candidates should use other sections to include them, as described here .

However, skill-based CVs are an exception to this norm, particularly in the case of students with a no-experience resume where the skills section becomes one of the most important sections. So, when it makes sense, it is totally fine to list your soft-skills in. But you should still avoid including bullet points in descriptionless lists. Instead, as shown in the examples below, you should include examples of how you have used those skills, alternatively mentioning how you acquired them.

When it comes to including the skills section in a Student CV there is many possibilities, here are three smart ways to go about it:

• A Skills / Skills summary section combining all your hard and soft skills, with subsections.
• Many sections grouping skills in categories.
• A dedicated section for each relevant skill.

Adding one or more skills sections to your CV doesn't mean you can't include examples showing off your skills in other CV sections. You should still use your achievements, responsibilites, executive summary etc. to emphasize what you are most talented at.

Great examples of student CV skills usage

MY STRONGEST SKILLS

EXCELLENT COMMUNICATOR

• My academic background in English and scenic arts along with my passion for creative writing have given me the confidence to effectively communicate messages across channels using strong storytelling techniques.
• Through my customer services experience in a busy and demanding retail environment, I have improved my interpersonal communication skills, particularly when it comes to effective client communication.
• I have a true passion for creative work. Bringing ideas to life is something that has always come naturally. I developed a passion for digital illustration earlier in life, and I have consistently created marketing materials for countless events and businesses. You can check out my portfolio here.
• I am always exploring and learning about new formats, developing an interest in short video materials and websites, what brought me to create my personal blog and Youtube channel, maintaining a strong publication consistency over the last three years.
• My Youtube channel and my blog have ignited my analytical skills, pushing me to measure every detail and audience interaction with tools like Google Analytics, Sendgrid, Google Data Studio and Tableau.
• This has allowed me to consistently grow my audiences and increase the monetization of my blog and my subscriber's email list.

FAST-LEARNER

• Thanks to the selfless community contributors, I have learned many skills and following the motto 'learn by doing' put them into practice. I am thrilled with the evolution of web and video formats and look forward to keeping learning and using new trends and formats to grow.
• Excellent Communicator
• Fast-learner

EDITION SKILLS

• Adobe Photoshop ●●●●●○
• Adobe Illustrator ●●●●●○
• Adobe After Effects ●●●●●○
• Adobe Premier ●●●●●○
• Final Cut Pro ●●●●○○
• Figma ●●●●●○

MARKETING SKILLS

• Email Marketing ●●●●●○
• Facebook Business Ads ●●●●●○
• Linkedin Ads ●●●●○○
• Youtube Editor ●●●●●○
• Google Analytics ●●●●●○
• Google Ads ●●●●●○
• Google Data Studio●●●○○○
• CMSs: Wordpress, Hubspot & Webflow ●●●●●○
• Languages: HTML5 & MySQL ●●●●○○
• Communication ●●●●●○
• Team Work ●●●●●○
• Organization ●●●●●○

In the following example, we can see how a student has done a great use of her personal profile to describe some of the skills required for the job, even though she has a no-experience resume:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I am a passionate electrical engineering student in my junior year, looking for an electronics apprenticeship in the Bournemouth area, that allows me to work on projects related to renewable energies , the internet of things or/and electric mobility.

I have more than 8 years experience troubleshooting electronic devices and home appliances, as well as installing electrical systems in tiny houses, caravans, etc. My engineering studies have given me the confidence and structure to start electrical projects around the internet of things and green power like the ones I present below.

• Organization skills
• Planning skills
• Internet of things
• Electrical Systems

Experience or no-experience, that is the question

Even though you might think that you don't have a work history, or that the experience you have doesn't relate to your targeted role, in most cases it is a better idea to include it in your student CV than to leave it out. The key is to take these informal or apparently unrelated experiences, and write a work description focusing on the transferable skills used in these kinds of experiences.

Let's take the case of the university student that is looking for an internship at a marketing or creative agency. He's never had a formal marketing job; however, he's been working on his personal brand for more than 3 years now with a blog with thousands of monthly visitors and a Youtube channel with more than 1K subscribers, the tasks he's performed to build those audiences will be very valuable on his next marketing job. Therefore he must mention these in his student CV, and even though they can be added in a separate section, including it as a work experience, it is a perfectly fine option to showcase his responsibilities and achievements.

Related experience example

BRAND MANAGER & PRODUCT OWNER 123easiestmarketing.com

08/2018 - Present

I started a blog and a Youtube Channel to share easy to digest but effective marketing pills with small business owners and entrepreneurs. My main responsibilities are:

• Create the content calendar for the Blog, the Youtube, and other social media profiles
• Researching and crafting interesting video and web content that drives traffic and engages users across channels focusing on Youtube, email subscribers & web visitors
• Developing a marketing automation strategy to onboard new subscribers across the different marketing channels ensuring a coherent brand identity

To the date, the site has consistently published a blog post per week and currently has 11K monthly organic visitors, while the Youtube channel has more than 1K subscribed users in more than 30 countries.

BRAND MANAGER & PRODUCT OWNER

123easiestmarketing.com + Youtube Channel

Non related work experience example

Likewise, his work history includes a retail weekend work at an electronics store for more than a year, even though at first it could seem that this experience is completely irrelevant for the job application at hand, it really isn't, since working in a retail position has most likely developed his customer service and teamwork, both very transferable skills to most positions at a marketing/creative agency. Therefore, when including this experience, his focus has been on responsibilities and achievements that showcase these skills. Next, you can see an example showing how to include a non-related work experience in your student CV:

Non related experience example

Customer Services Assistant Expert DominicSmith Dublin

09/2016 - 08/2019

I worked 8-hour weekend shifts at the Electrical & Home Entretainment Expert store in Dundrum. Saturdays and Sundays are the busiest days of the week, when the in-store assistance doubles. As a customer services assistant I:

• Strategically delivered marketing materials and information to customers making sure our merchants branding guidelines were followed
• Delivered customer service assistance and advice based on the customer needs, always with an active problem-solving approach
• Was in charge of the stock management for the portable devices section.

Over my 3 years at Expert DominicSmith, I contributed to always achieving our quarterly revenue goals and successfully passed mystery-shoppers test scoring above the chain's average, gaining the recognition of our regional manager.

• Assisted customers
• Cashier-related tasks if required
• Restocking goods

No-experience resume / CV for students

Now, we understand if your response to our question is that you are a high school student genuinely has no experience, not even in sporadic garden or lown mowing. This is then the only case where you should write a 100% no-experience CV , which is totally fine; you will then relay on other sections to showcase your skills, like the Education, Hobbies Interests or Volunteering sections.

Qualifications or Academic background section

If there is a case where the education or qualifications section is more relevant than ever is in the case of students and recent graduates. Take advantage of this section to highlight any awards, honors you have obtained over your academic background.

Include only your higher education diplomas, avoid including lower education if you have obtained higher education diplomas afterwards. High school student resumes, should also only include their current studies with the predicted year of graduation. College students, vocational students or university students should include their A-Levels, GCSEs and the current degree they are studying including their estimated time of graduation.

Following, we attach an example of how to successfully maximize the use of the education section on a student resume example:

Qualifications example for students

B.A. IN ENGLISH & SCENIC ARTS

American College Dublin

• Graduated with first class honors: 3.25/4

09/2017 - 04/2022

B.A. IN ENGLISH & SCENIC ARTS American College Dublin

The power of additional sections on a student CV

Even though we have set a layout framework for student CV sections, there is no limit when it comes to the number or nature of sections. There are typical additional sections that can be very useful on a student's CV to showcase skills:

• Language skills
• Honors & awards
• Interests or hobbies
• Volunteering experience
• Complementary education
• Extracurricular activities

But then, as you can see in this high school student resume , where she has added a section under the name "Highlighted products" or another one to explain a specific project she is currently working on, the possibilities are endless, and will depend on the position and the with a list of interesting projects she's done over her academic years and free time, and the candidate.

Is it necessary to add student cover letters to your applications?

As you probably guessed, the answer to this question is that it depends. If the application process has a field for it, then you definitely have to include one, and as it happens with the CV you should target it as much as you can to the targeted role.

On the other hand, if the job application doesn't offer the possibility to add one, don't add one. Your personal statement will act as a sort of brief cover letter targeted to the role.

Finally, students that are sending a spontaneous application, should evaluate the convenience of adding a covering letter on a case-per case basis. There is actually three recommended options:

• Send an email attaching your cover letter and CV
• Send an email with the cover letter as the email content with the CV attached
• Send a brief email attaching the CV that includes a targeted personal statement where the candidate clearly aligns his/her goals with those of the role and company

Once again, make sure to use a grammar checking tool when crafting your application email, linkedin message or cover letter.

Montse Lorente

Coach & recruiter @ kaelon.co and co-founder @ cvonline.me

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• What To Include In A Undergraduate CV
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Diving into the world of job applications as a student can feel daunting. But with the right CV, you're already one step ahead of the competition! Whether you're just stepping into university or about to graduate, we have some stellar curriculum vitae examples for students like you. Crafting an impeccable CV is the key to leaving a lasting impression, and we're here to help you with this essential task. In this guide, we'll dive deep into various CV examples for students and share tips on what to include in each section to make your CV shine.

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Tips For Crafting a Student CV

Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV for each job application by emphasizing skills and experiences relevant to the specific role.

Be Concise: Keep your CV concise and to the point. Aim for a one-page CV if possible.

Use Action Words: Use action verbs (e.g., organized, led, collaborated) to describe your experiences and achievements.

Professional Email: Ensure your email address is professional and appropriate for job applications.

Proofread: Carefully proofread your CV for spelling and grammatical errors.

Example of What To Include In An Undergraduate CV

If you’re still studying and looking for part-time work, internships, or placements, an undergraduate CV example can guide you on how to balance your academic and extracurricular experiences. Of course, we are here for you, and we bring you all the essential information that should not miss from your undergraduate CV:

Personal Statement: Keep it short and sweet, focusing on what you’re studying, your key skills, and what you’re looking to achieve with the job or placement.

Education: List your current course of study, including any relevant modules, projects, or achievements.

Work Experience: If you’ve had part-time jobs, internships, or placements, include them here, focusing on what you’ve learned and achieved in these roles.

Skills: Highlight skills developed through your course and any extracurricular activities. Think about what might be relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Extracurricular Activities: Showcase any clubs, societies, or volunteering you’ve been involved in, highlighting any leadership or organisational roles.

Awards and Achievements: Include any academic or extracurricular achievements that make you stand out.

References: List references from your education or any work-related experiences, ensuring they can provide a positive and relevant reference.

CV Example For Students With No Experience

Of course, there is not just one type of CV, there are several! As a student, you may struggle to find a job when you have no prior work experience. However, this won't stop you from following your dreams because we have got the solution. Below, you will find a student CV, which you can follow to create your own. If you need a visual inspiration for more types of CVs, you can find them all under our CV Examples .

Example Of What To Include In A Graduate CV

Graduates, this one's for you! A graduate CV example should strike a balance between your academic achievements and any work experience, internships, or placements you’ve completed. Have a look at what it should include:

Personal Statement: Clearly articulate what you bring to the table. Highlight your degree, key skills, and any industry-relevant experience. Make it clear why you are a perfect fit for the job.

Education: Start with your most recent qualification, including any specific modules or projects that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Work Experience: Include any internships, placements, or part-time jobs, focusing on the responsibilities and achievements in each role. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements where possible. You should be able to elaborate on these in your internship cover letter .

Skills: Highlight both technical and soft skills, providing examples of how you've demonstrated these in your studies or work experience.

Projects: If you’ve worked on any noteworthy projects, either as part of your course or in your own time, showcase them here.

Hobbies and Interests: While this section is optional, it can be a great way to show a bit of personality and highlight additional skills or passions.

References: Include references from your education or any work placements, ensuring they’re relevant and can vouch for your skills and experience.

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Take a look at our part-time, internships and graduate positions today!

FAQ About CV Examples for Students

I'm currently an undergraduate student applying for part-time jobs and internships. What can I do to make my CV stand out, despite having limited work experience?

When creating your undergraduate CV, focus on presenting a well-rounded view of your academic and extracurricular experiences. Highlight skills developed through your course and activities, and don't forget to showcase your involvement in clubs, societies, or volunteer work. Including any awards or achievements can also help your CV stand out.

I'm a recent graduate and unsure about how to balance academic achievements and work experience on my CV. Any tips?

When crafting your graduate CV, it's important to strike a balance that showcases both your academic background and any practical experience you've gained. Make sure to detail your education and any internships, placements, or part-time jobs, focusing on your responsibilities and achievements in each role.

Related No Experience CV Articles

How to write a no experience cv.

A guide for students and new professionals.

Teacher Example

Tips and samples to craft a teaching assistant CV with no experience.

Care Assistant Example

Craft a winning care assistant CV without experience.

Cleaning Example

Create a cleaner CV that stands out, even without work experience.

Waitress Example

Grafting waitress resume without experience for beginners.

Retail Example

Guide & tips to craft a retail CV when you have no experience.

Receptionist Example

Key tips for a winning receptionist resume with no experience.

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Craft a Standout CV with No Work Experience: Examples & Tips

8 minutes to read

• 01. Personal statement
• 03. Education
• 04. Hobbies & Interests
• 05. Employment history
• 06. Tailor your CV to the job.
• 07. References
• 08. Format and layout
• 09. Proofread and edit

Looking for jobs with no qualifications? This article will help you learn how to write a CV without experience.

It can be tricky writing a CV when you don’t have any professional work experience to include. Don’t let that stop you. There are several sections you can focus on instead to help you stand out and land your first job.

Highlight relevant skills and use examples like CV work experience, no qualification jobs, and no experience CV. Discover tips for writing a CV with no experience, including CV examples for students in the UK.

Creating a compelling document highlighting your skills, education, and other relevant experiences is still possible. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:

• Start with a solid personal statement or objective: Begin your CV with a summary of your career goals, skills, and what you hope to achieve. Highlight your enthusiasm, motivation, and willingness to learn.
• Emphasize your education: Since you lack work experience, focus on your educational background. Include the institution's name, degree or qualification earned, dates of study, and any relevant coursework or projects. Highlight any achievements or honours you received.
• Showcase relevant skills: Identify and highlight skills applicable to your target job or industry. These can be soft skills (e.g., communication, teamwork, problem-solving) or technical skills (e.g., proficiency in specific software or programming languages). Provide examples of using these skills in your education or other activities.
• Highlight extracurricular activities: Include any extracurricular activities, clubs, or organizations you were involved in during your education. Focus on leadership roles, teamwork experiences, or projects demonstrating your skills and abilities.
• Volunteer or internship experience: If you have volunteered or completed any internships, include them in a separate section. Highlight the tasks you performed, skills you gained, and any accomplishments during these experiences.
• Include relevant coursework: If you've taken any courses relevant to the job you're applying for, list them separately. Mention specific projects or assignments that showcase your skills and knowledge in those areas.
• Highlight personal projects: If you've undertaken any personal projects, such as building a website, creating artwork, or developing an app, include them in a dedicated section. Briefly describe the project, your role, and any outcomes or achievements.

• Showcase certifications and training: If you have obtained any certifications or completed training programs, list them along with the issuing institution, dates, and any notable achievements.
• Tailor your CV to the job: Analyze the job description and identify the skills and qualities the employer seeks. Customize your CV by aligning your qualifications and experiences with those requirements. Emphasize transferable skills and attributes that make you a strong candidate.
• Format and layout: Keep the CV clean, well-organized, and easily read. Use clear headings, bullet points, and a professional font. Keep the document concise, ideally within one or two pages.
• Proofread and edit: Before finalizing your CV, thoroughly proofread it to correct any spelling or grammatical errors. Make sure the information is accurate and up to date.
• Use a CV template or sample: To get started, search for CV templates or samples online designed for individuals with limited work experience. These templates can provide a structure and guide you through the process.

Remember, even without work experience. You can still highlight your skills, education, and other relevant experiences to showcase your potential to prospective employers.

Find part-time, easy jobs near you that don't require a CV. Overcome the lack of experience by showcasing previous skills and work experience in your CV. Explore opportunities like unqualified teaching assistant jobs or unqualified nursery assistant jobs.

Let's look at the key points of a good CV.

Personal statement

The first section of any CV should be a personal statement tailored to the role you’re applying for. Suppose you’re applying for a job as a receptionist. In that case, your personal statement should be completely different to if you were applying for a role as a sales assistant in your local supermarket. Ensure you edit this section each time before sending your CV out.

With a personal statement, you want to answer any introduction questions a recruiter may have: Who are you? What do you offer to our company? What are you aiming for in your career?

Here are some do's and don'ts to remember while writing a personal statement.

As the job you’re applying for will be your first or one of your first, focus on your skill set rather than your limited work history. Showcase what you know and what you can bring to the company.

Try to go into detail as much as possible when listing relevant skills. For example, if you list IT skills, name the programs you’re good at.

As well as specific skills, it’s also good to include soft skills such as confidence in public speaking, a positive attitude and time-keeping skills. Giving examples of times when you’ve used these skills can help back up the points you’re trying to get across.

You should include all your education achievements from GCSEs onwards. Giving an overview of the subjects you took and your grades is a good idea. If you’re still awaiting the results, including the mock exams you’ve sat or your expected results. Make sure you list your results in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent events at the top of the section.

Hobbies & Interests

On CVs, a hobbies section is always optional. However, if you haven’t any work experience to include, then listing your hobbies and interests can be a great way to get your skills and personality across.

Make sure any hobbies you list are not too generic. Hanging with friends or watching Netflix isn’t going to impress the recruiter. Completing a sailing course or becoming a black belt in karate shows you have the determination and a get-up-and-go attitude.

A good question to ask yourself when writing this section is: Will adding this information help me get the job?

Employment history

If you have no employment experience, you can always skip this section. However, if you’ve done some work experience at school or participated in a volunteering project, this can also be included, even if it was only for a few days.

Tailor your CV to the job.

To make your CV stand out, it's important to customize it for each job you apply to. Carefully review the job description and identify the key skills, qualifications, and experiences the employer seeks. Then, highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with those requirements. Use similar language and keywords from the job description to make it easier for employers to recognize your suitability for the role.

If you still have trouble writing a Personal Statement for your CV, look at this list of 5 questions you must ask when writing your personal statement.

If you have no work experience, your school tutor or a family friend is an excellent reference option. Some employers will ask for references directly in the job advert. However, if this isn’t specified, then it’s perfectly fine to state that they are available upon request.

Format and layout

A well-organized and visually appealing CV can leave a positive impression on employers. Consider the following formatting tips:

• Use clear and concise headings for each section (e.g., "Education," "Skills," "Volunteer Experience," etc.).
• Utilize bullet points to list your achievements, responsibilities, and skills. This makes it easier to read and scan.
• Choose a professional font that is easy to read, such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.
• Maintain consistency in formatting, spacing, and indentation throughout the CV.
• Keep the document clean and uncluttered. Avoid excessive use of fancy fonts, colours, or graphics unless you're applying for a creative field where visual elements are expected.

Proofread and edit

Before submitting your CV, proofread and edit it for any errors or inconsistencies. Here are some steps you can follow:

• Read the entire CV, focusing on grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Pay attention to details such as verb tenses and subject-verb agreement.
• Use grammar and spell-checking tools to catch any obvious mistakes.
• Review the content for clarity and coherence. Ensure that the information is presented in a logical and easy-to-follow manner.
• Consider also asking a friend, family member, or mentor to review your CV. Fresh eyes can often catch errors or provide valuable feedback.

By tailoring your CV to a specific job, paying attention to formatting and layout, and thoroughly proofreading it, you can increase your chances of making a positive impression on potential employers. Remember to showcase your enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and any transferable skills you possess, as these qualities can make up for the lack of work experience.

Get started on your journey to land a job with no experience!

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As an Englishman in Paris, I enjoy growing my knowledge of other languages and cultures. I'm interested in History, Economics, and Sociology and believe in the importance of continuous learning.

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CV with no experience writing guide

Land your first job with an effective CV

It can be daunting  writing a CV with no experience  but it’s easy to forget that anyone, whatever their career stage, has had to write a CV for the first time at some point. After all, we all have to start somewhere!

The importance of a CV does not lie solely in the work experience section and instead, encompasses a variety of different factors.

For example, hobbies and interests, skills, and achievements. Recruiters are aware that school-leavers or graduates  writing a CV for the first time  will not have a long work history and will instead focus on characteristics, skills and any voluntary work or extracurricular activities.

Grabbing a recruiter’s attention  with different CV writing techniques and professional content is key to a strong and effective CV.

The best way to  make yourself a strong candidate  is by keeping all information pertinent to the job specification and relating your skills and extracurricular activities to the job role.

Anyone can write a CV. Sometimes it can take practice or a few drafts, but with online editing devices such as our  OnlineCV maker . With our tool, you don’t have to worry about CV layout or format and instead get the chance to focus solely on your content.

Use professionally designed templates and our guidance tips on each section of the CV to  create a winning CV  and get the career ball rolling!

This  CV writing guide  gives tips for  writing a CV with no experience ,  which sections to include in the CV , as well as  examples and tips for student CVs with no experience .

How to write a CV for a job with no experience

When it comes to  writing a CV specifically for a job application , it’s crucial to express yourself on a linguistic scale which matches that of the job description. Reread the job listing multiple times to get an idea of the language used and the type of candidate that recruiters are looking for.

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are commonly used amongst recruiters to track down ideal candidates without searching far and wide or spending hours reading CVs. The ATS scans for keywords, phrases and language which ideal candidates use on their job applications and to describe themselves.

If you see that the job description lists the ideal candidate as a hard-working and efficient account manager who can work flexibly, all the while focused.

Try to paint this picture using similar vocabulary to explain that you fit this category well. This means that even if you are writing a  CV with no experience , you can still paint the picture of an ideal candidate, referring to your skills, abilities and knowledge.

Here are some extra tips for writing a CV without any experience:

• Keep your CV relevant to the job listing
• Write all personal details clearly and correctly
• Make sure your email address is professional
• Ensure that your CV layout is smart and well-presented
• Use a personal statement to capture the hiring manager’s attention
• Highlight your skills which would be useful for the job role

Sections to include in your first CV

Writing a  CV with no experience  still leaves you with plenty of other sections to include on a CV. Here are the sections of a CV which you can choose to include when writing your CV for the first time or writing a CV specifically for a job application.

Personal details

The first thing you should be including in your CV is your personal details. Your full name should be clear and visible. It is often used as a title for a CV, although modern  CV templates  often have different designs, meaning you can find it located to the side, in boxes etc. You can use a  CV builder  and browse different CV templates to decide which design works best for you.

Your personal details should include:

• Email address (a professional one!)
• Phone number
• LinkedIn handle (optional)

You can also choose to include your address or city of residence.

In other countries, it’s common to see more personal details, such as nationality, photos and age on a CV. However, in the U.K. it is not advisable to include this type of information.

Personal statement

A personal statement is an impacting way of presenting your CV to prospective employers.  Including a personal statement in your CV  immediately informs of your current status, what you are looking for and why you are an ideal candidate for the job.

Personal statements can be useful for  school-leavers  or  graduate students  who wish to start their CV with a powerful and capturing paragraph. It’s said that recruiters take less than a minute to scan CVs the first time around, so this can be an  effective technique for getting shortlisted .

Education section

Recruiters will be interested in the subjects you have studied throughout your education and if you have a higher education certificate or a degree, this is the time to shine.

Student CVs  often feature  the education section of a CV  before the work experience section. Not only due to reasons such as lack of work experience but also because  listing your education first  highlights your recent academic achievement i.e., diploma or degree.

If you are applying for graduate schemes or internships, employers will be intrigued as to which topics you covered in your studies and your knowledge in certain areas, so expand on modules if you feel that this could contribute to  strengthening your job application .

Voluntary work

Just because your voluntary work wasn’t paid, it doesn’t mean you haven’t experienced a type of work environment of work experience. It is perfectly acceptable to  include volunteer work on your CV  if you feel that it contributes well to strengthen your job application.

For example:

If you are applying for a job in retail and you volunteered in a retail charity shop for a year. This is a perfect example of work experience in a work sector pertinent to the job for which you are applying.

In the case that you have a variety of voluntary work, you can create a  volunteer work section of your CV  and list the different fundraising events, volunteer work and jobs that you have completed in the past.

Who says that you’re  CV has no experience  now?

Skills section

The skills section is one of the key sections of a CV that recruiters use to determine whether you are capable of performing the necessary tasks of the job. Recruiters often look for soft skills in graduate students when employing for graduate schemes and internships, particularly for applicants with  CVs with no experience  or a short work history.

Use  the skills section of the CV  to demonstrate the things you are good at or qualities which make you an ideal candidate. Make sure you read the job listing to understand which type of candidate recruiters are looking for so that the CV that you write paints the perfect picture of the ideal candidate.

Qualifications section

Completing a qualification such as a DofE certificate or an extracurricular qualification (such as a British sign language course)  boosts your job application  and highlights your eagerness or interest in learning more and expanding your knowledge.

The qualifications section of a CV  shouldn’t take up as much space as other sections of a CV. It should list the qualification name, date, organisation/college/institute and a possible grade if it is a graded qualification.

Achievements section

Wow recruiters  with original achievements and prove that you are not just any applicant; you are the right applicant.  Achievements  can vary from academic achievements to personal achievements.

Interview questions often include an achievement-related question, such as, “what do you think is your biggest achievement?” Including your  biggest achievements on a CV  gives recruiters more insight into your character and helps them to understand more about you. It’s also a talking point for the possible interview!

Hobbies and interests

This section of your  CV  is not for listing every single thing that interests you. Instead, you should aim to analyse your  hobbies and interests  and highlight any you have that link directly to the job role.

If you read the economist weekly and are applying for a finance and accounting graduate scheme, you could write that you are a weekly reader of the economist.

A graphic designer may have interests in photography or art.

A travel blogger may have interests in tourism and travelling.

How to write a CV for a job without experience and studies

If you feel that you  lack work experience  or that you don’t qualify academically, remember that there is more to a CV than the work experience and academic background section.

Just because you don’t have any official work experience, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have anything to write on a CV.

It is recommendable to always write a CV specifically for a job listing. This way, you can capture the recruiter’s attention by highlighting specific elements of your CV targeted toward the profile of the job listing.

If you  don’t have any higher education qualifications to list on your CV , you can focus on other sections of the CV, such as skills or hobbies and interests.

What skills can I put on my CV if I have no experience

When you are job hunting for the very first time, you might be wondering what you could put in your CV that will impress employers.

Even if this is your first CV with no work experience, you don’t need to worry.

You have options.

Are you yet to have a full-time paying job?

You can still create experience and skill sections that can help you get called in for an interview.

There are skills you may have developed while undertaking a part-time job or volunteer work. Here are some examples of skills you can include in your CV if you don’t have any experience:

• Time management
• Organisational skills
• Microsoft Office
• Problem-solving
• Active listening

Additionally, you have likely developed skills that are useful for a company if you have done any of the following:

• Extracurricular activities
• Internships
• Volunteer work
• Small jobs such as being a babysitter

It’s essential to demonstrate how your skills have developed thanks to these experiences. Mention the goals you have accomplished as well as any notable achievements, especially if they are relevant to the position you are applying to.

Remember, you can use a first-time CV template to help you write this part.

Here is an example of an experience that you can place on your CV even if you have never held a full-time position.

Babysitting service 2021-present

• Provide daily care and vigilance for infants
• Organise their eating and sleeping schedule
• Maintain 3 clients a week on average
• Created a social media profile to attract new clients

This example demonstrates your time management skills as well as your ability to communicate with and attract new clients.

Even with little to no experience, if you include your skills in this manner, you won’t have much trouble getting called for an interview.

CV examples for students with no experience

Are you wondering how to create the perfect student CV with no experience?

If you are finishing university and haven’t had the opportunity to work, you can still add content to help your CV stand out.

Below, review some tips to enhance your CV with little experience, to make it much more attractive to employers.

• Make your degree or highest qualification the most valuable part of your CV
• List the education section above the work experience section to highlight your recently completed academic qualification
• Write a personal statement to strengthen your personal profile
• Expand on modules or knowledge acquired during your degree/diploma/academic qualification to demonstrate industry-specific knowledge

Use OnlineCV to create your CV  with guidance and tips, ensuring that you  make a good impression when applying for jobs  and present your best you.

Create your CV in 5 minutes

With our professional templates you’ll have yours in no time

Academic Personal Statement Guide + Examples for 2024

You have a bright future ahead of you in academia and you’ve already found the program of your dreams.

The only problem? 

You have to write an impressive academic personal statement that sets you apart from a sea of applicants.

We know that writing about yourself might not come naturally. And when the academic program you have your sights set on is on the line, it doesn’t make it any easier.

But there’s no need to worry!

We’ve prepared this guide to help you write your academic personal statement and secure your spot in your program of choice.

In this article, we’re going to cover:

• What Is An Academic Personal Statement?
• 7 Steps to Writing the Best Academic Personal Statement
• An Example of a Stellar Academic Personal Statement

Let’s dive in.

You’ll need an academic CV alongside your personal statement. Create one with ease with Novorésumé !

What Is an Academic Personal Statement?

A personal statement is an essential part of the academic application process.

Much like a motivation letter , your academic personal statement serves to demonstrate why you’re the right candidate for the course and sell yourself as a capable student.

Your goal is to show the admissions committee that they’ll benefit from having you in their university as much as you’ll benefit from joining the program.

Academic Vs CV Personal Statement

The term ‘personal statement’ can mean different things depending on your field.

In the world of job hunting, a personal statement usually refers to a few sentences that go at the top of your CV . This paragraph is meant to convey your top skills, relevant experiences, and professional goals to a hiring manager from the get-go and increase your chances of getting an interview.

However, in the world of academia, a personal statement refers to a more in-depth description of you as a candidate. 

In a nutshell, an academic personal statement shows the admissions committee your academic achievements so far, as well as what motivated you to apply and pursue this position.

Personal statements are also often required when applying for certain jobs, much like writing a cover letter . If you’re looking at a position as a faculty member in a university or other academic institution, for example, you might be asked to provide an academic personal statement.

7 Steps to Write an Academic Personal Statement

Preparation is the key to success and this is exactly where our guide comes in handy.

So just follow these steps and you’re sure to secure your spot:

#1. Read the Brief (Carefully!)

Academic personal statements aren’t necessarily a one-size-fits-all piece of writing. 

Typically, every institution has its specific requirements on what candidates should include in their academic personal statement.

To make sure you’re on the right track with your academic personal statement, read the brief carefully. Consider taking notes and highlighting important points from your program’s brief as you go through it.

Pay attention to any specific question the university wants you to answer. If you don’t address everything the admissions board expects, your personal statement will look sloppy and you’ll be considered an inattentive candidate.

Be sure to re-read the brief after you’ve finished writing your academic personal statement, too. This way you can make sure you’ve answered everything adequately and you’ll have the opportunity to correct any slips.

#2. Research the Program

Make sure you do your homework on the academic program you’re applying to.

You can’t write a good academic personal statement without research, let alone a great one. Much like researching your employer , taking the time to learn more about your desired school and personalizing your application can make a huge difference.

For example, you can dive into how your values align with that of the school you’re applying to, and how your experience and interests relate to specific things about the program. The more you focus on how you’re the right fit for this specific position, in this specific program – the better.

Carefully read through the school and program’s official pages since everything you would need to know is probably on the school’s official website. You can also ask current and former students for help but remember that whatever they say should never replace official information when crafting your academic personal statement.

#3. Plan Your Statement

An academic personal statement is meant to explain your academic interests and shouldn’t contain irrelevant details about your personal life.

Focus on why you want to study the course you’ve chosen and provide any information about your achievements so far.

Ask yourself the following questions to get the ball rolling on what to write:

• Why do you want to study (or work) in this program? How will it benefit you?
• How do your skills match the position?
• What makes you stand out from other applicants?
• What are your exact career aspirations?
• How can you and your work benefit the institution you’re applying to?
• If you changed fields, how did you decide to apply in this direction?
• What insight can you bring thanks to your different experiences?
• How will this change of field help your future career?

Write down your answer to these questions in the first draft of your academic personal statement.

#4. Look at Example Statements

Don’t hesitate to read other people’s academic personal statements online. They’re a great source of inspiration and can help get rid of any remaining writer’s block.

If you’re struggling to understand how to meet the language and formatting requirements for your academic personal statement, seeing actual examples is the best way to learn.

But be careful – don’t copy any lines you read, no matter how impressive you think they are. 

Most universities run every academic personal statement through intensive plagiarism checking, and even a paraphrased sentence could lead to your application being rejected for plagiarism.

So pay more attention to the overall structure of the academic personal statements you read, rather than copying the exact wording.

#5. Structure the Contents

There should be a cohesive argument that your entire essay follows. Each sentence and paragraph should complement and build on the one that comes before it.

The structure of your personal statement should include:

An intriguing introduction to you as a candidate

The introductory paragraph should grab the admission committee’s attention and keep them engaged.

Here you should be sure to avoid cliches like saying how you’ve “always dreamt” of graduating from this university or of studying this exact program. Instead, give an example of what really influenced you to pursue this dream.

Here’s an example:

• I’ve always loved reading and since I was a child, it’s been my dream to graduate from Oxford University and contribute to the world of literary analysis. That’s why I spent the past year volunteering at my local writers’ society and giving constructive feedback during workshops and book discussions.
• It wasn’t until I failed my first essay assignment in secondary school that I realized the depth that lies beneath each sentence in a given text. I began to delve into the rich layers of literary texts and the intricacies of literary analysis became my passion. Although initially challenging, the depth of understanding that this field offers about human emotions, cultural contexts, and narrative structures enthralled me. I found myself questioning the narrative structures and character motivations that I had previously taken for granted, and I was eager to understand how the subtle and often overlooked elements within a text could have a profound impact on its overall interpretation. This need to fundamentally understand a given author’s work has stayed with me since and led me to pursue literary analysis as a postgraduate student.

An engaging body

The main part of your academic personal statement should detail your interests, experience, and knowledge, and how they make you suitable for the position.

This is where you should expand on your motivation and use the following tips:

• Why this university? Provide strong reasons for your choice, related to your future career or the institution’s reputation.
• Mention your relevant studies and experience. This includes projects, dissertations, essays, or work experience.
• Give evidence of key skills you have, such as research, critical thinking, communication, and time management, and explain how you can contribute to the department with them.
• Say what makes you unique as a candidate and provide an example.
• Explain who have been the main influences who put you on this path and why they’ve influenced you.
• Mention other relevant experiences, such as memberships in clubs related to the subject, awards you might have won, or impressive papers you’ve written.
• Talk about your career aspirations and how the program ties into your goal of achieving them.

Depending on the guidelines of the specific university, you could also divide your academic personal statement’s body with subheadings, such as:

• Academic background
• Research interests
• Methodological approaches
• Research experience
• Personal experience
• Extracurricular activities 
• Relevant skills
• Career aspirations

A logical conclusion

Your academic personal statement needs a conclusion that ends on an enthusiastic note.

Make sure the conclusion reiterates the main points from the body of your text.

Your relevant accomplishments and desire to attend this specific program should be clear to any reader.

#6. Pay Attention to the Language

When writing the first draft of your academic personal statement, pay attention to the language and tone you’re using.

An academic personal statement is also a formal text, so your writing should reflect that. Colloquialisms aren’t appropriate, as they would take away from the well-mannered impression you want to give the admissions committee.

However, you also want your personal statement to be straightforward and avoid any complex jargon from your field of study.

For example, your opening sentence shouldn’t be overly complicated. You should communicate everything as clearly as possible, and be inclusive to those outside of your field of study since they might be on the admissions board that’s reading your academic personal statement.

Make sure that the tone throughout your text is positive and conveys your enthusiasm for the program. Your academic personal statement should show the admissions committee that you really want to be there, and why that’s beneficial to everyone involved.

#7. Proofread Your Statement

This step probably isn’t surprising to you but it’s worth paying attention to.

Your academic personal statement is a very formal document and it should be spotless. 

So, make sure it adheres to academic writing conventions . For example, contractions like “I’m” instead of “I am” are informal, and should be avoided.

Mistakes like these are very common when writing about yourself, particularly when you’re used to describing yourself in informal environments.

Carefully proofread your academic personal statement, then run it through a grammar checker like Grammarly or Quillbot, then proofread it again.

The tiniest grammar mistake or typo could make the admissions board reject your application.

Academic Personal Statement Example

Ever since my first encounter with the enchanting worlds spun by Flaubert, Balzac, and Proust, my intellectual pursuits have gravitated toward French literature. With an undergraduate degree focused on French Language and Literature, I have been fortunate to explore my passions both theoretically and empirically, embedding them within broader themes of cultural theory and comparative literature. It is with great excitement that I apply for the postgraduate research position in the French Literature program at Kent University, with the aim of contributing novel scholarly perspectives to this captivating field.

Academic Background and Research Interests

During my undergraduate studies, I delved deeply into the realms of 19th-century Realism and Naturalism. My senior thesis, which examined the dialectics of morality and social structures in Balzac's "La Comédie Humaine," was not merely an academic exercise; it served as a crucible where my theoretical understandings were rigorously tested. This research experience intensified my interest in the complex interplay between literature and societal norms, a theme I am eager to further explore in my postgraduate work.

Methodological Approaches

My academic approach is fundamentally interdisciplinary. I strongly believe that literature should not be studied in a vacuum; rather, it should be contextualized within historical, sociological, and psychological paradigms. During a semester abroad in Paris, I took courses in cultural anthropology and French history, an enriching experience that complemented my literature-focused studies. This holistic approach will enable me to contribute a multifaceted perspective to the research endeavors at Kent University.

Previous Research and Scholarly Engagements

My scholarly activities have also extended beyond the classroom. Last summer, I participated in an international conference on French Literature and Post-Colonial Theory, presenting a paper on the depictions of colonial landscapes in Dumas' adventure novels. The opportunity to engage with academics from various disciplines provided me with fresh insights and underscored the importance of collaborative research. Further, I've had the honor of having a review article published in the Sheffield Journal of Contemporary Literary Explorations, where I critiqued a groundbreaking new translation of Verne's works.

Extracurricular Contributions and Skills

In addition to my academic achievements, I have sought to enrich my department’s intellectual community. I served as the editor of our departmental journal and organized a series of seminars featuring guest speakers from the worlds of academia and publishing. My strong organizational skills, combined with proficiency in both written and spoken French and English, make me a versatile candidate capable of adding value to the French Literature program’s broader objectives.

To summarize, my deep-rooted passion for French literature, fortified by rigorous academic training and interdisciplinary methodologies, makes me an ideal candidate for the postgraduate research position in your esteemed program. The prospect of contributing to academic discourse at Kent University is an opportunity I find deeply compelling. I am especially excited about the potential for collaborative research and interdisciplinary inquiries, which aligns perfectly with my academic philosophy. I am fully committed to leveraging my skills, experiences, and enthusiasm to make a substantive scholarly contribution to the study of French Literature. Thank you for considering my application; I am keenly looking forward to the possibility of furthering my academic journey in this vibrant intellectual community.

FAQs on Academic Personal Statements

If you’re wondering anything else about academic personal statements, check out the answers to the most frequently asked questions related to them here:

#1. How do you start a personal statement for an academic job?

Applying for an academic job is different from applying for a position as a student. First, you need to establish your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role immediately.

Start by explaining your current status, for example, as a postdoctoral researcher or an experienced member of the faculty, and specify the position you are applying for. Then follow up with your research interests or personal philosophy towards teaching.

You can add a personal anecdote or compelling fact that summarizes your academic journey so far, or your passion for the field. After that, your academic personal statement can go deeper into the qualifications from your academic CV and how you’re a great fit for the position.

#2. How do I introduce myself in an academic personal statement?

The introduction of your academic personal statement is the key to grabbing the attention of the admissions committee.

Start by stating the field or subject that interests you, and why. You can share a specific personal anecdote or observation that led you to this academic pursuit and set the stage for the detailed explanation in your main body.

The goal of your introduction is to give the reader a sense of who you are, what drives you, and why you would be a valuable addition to their department.

#3. Is an academic personal statement like an essay?

Yes, an academic personal statement can be considered a type of essay.

Both essays and academic personal statements are structured forms of writing that are meant to deliver a coherent argument and are divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion. They provide supporting evidence to prove the point and maintain a logical flow to guide the reader to the final conclusion.

However, essays tend to be objective and explore a specific topic or question in depth. Academic personal statements use similar techniques but they present the candidate’s qualifications, experiences, and aspirations in a way that’s meant to persuade the admissions committee.

#4. How long is an academic personal statement?

Typically, an academic personal statement is between 500 and 1000 words long.

The exact length of the text varies depending on the university and program you’re applying to. You should always check the specific requirements for your desired program, and stick to the guidelines you find.

However, if the university you’re applying to doesn’t specify a word count, you should aim for one to two pages.

#5. What do I avoid in an academic personal statement?

Since your personal statement is a crucial part of your academic application, it’s important to avoid any common mistakes.

Make sure the content of your academic personal statement isn’t too generic. Its goal is to give insight into you as an individual, beyond what can be read in your CV . 

You should also avoid cramming too many points in your text. Your academic personal statement should follow a logical flow, and focus on the relevance of what you’re sharing about yourself and how it relates to the academic program you’re pursuing.

Key Takeaways

And that concludes our guide to writing an academic personal statement!

We hope you feel more confident when crafting your application for that academic program or faculty position you have your sights set on.

Now let’s recap what we talked about so far:

• Academic personal statements are very different from CV personal statements. While CV personal statements are brief paragraphs at the top of the page, an academic personal statement is an in-depth text that details why you’re interested in a given position, and what makes you a good candidate.
• The guidelines on academic personal statements vary according to the institution you’re applying to. Read the brief very carefully, and pay attention to what it says about word count and questions your personal statement should answer. Any mistakes here could result in rejection.
• There are differences between applying for a postgraduate program and applying for a faculty position. But in both cases, you should research the exact place you want to apply to and adjust your application accordingly to match the institution’s values.
• Always proofread your academic personal statement before sending it, even if you’re sure there are no errors.

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