5 Tips On How To Write A CV With No Experience

“Hi. I need help figuring out some things. I graduated in September 2015 and so far have not been able to land any job. I ensure I apply for at least ten jobs every morning. I have networked with people I know who can help me secure employment but so far all that effort is yet to bear fruit. I have not been able to land a job or an internship and I am beginning to think that my CV could be the problem. Kindly advice.”

I must admit that this email touched me in the most unexpected way. It then hit me that so many job seekers are losing out on opportunities simply because they have no idea how to write a CV that works in their favor.

Are you a fresh graduate wondering if you will ever be able to land a job in this cruel world because you lack the work experience employers are looking for? You are just out of campus or have already graduated but are yet to find something meaningful to do.

You don’t have to beat yourself up. I am going to show you how to write a CV with no experience at all.

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How To Write A CV With No Experience

The employment industry has made us feel like we can never make a meaningful contribution if we lack the work experience employers look for. I say this with all the confidence I can master, that that’s utter nonsense.

I know you know several people that were able to land a job immediately after school or several months after graduating. How did they do it?

According to Ms. Muthoni Ndegwa, the secret to landing a job in Kenya mostly lies in your CV. Let’s look at tips on how to write a CV with no experience.

1. Open with a strong personal statement

This is the very first thing a potential employer sees on your CV, so you need to get it right. The best tip? Keep your personal statement simple and short. At most 150 words are enough.

Normally if you overdo something it comes out as unnatural and in this case shows how desperate you are and no employer takes that well.

A good example of a personal statement in how to write a CV with no experience would be:

“I am a Bachelor of Arts – Economics and Political Science graduate with experience in different fields including Sales and administration. My academic training has provided me with knowledge and skills to conduct research, collect and analyze data, monitor economic trends and develop forecasts on a wide variety of issues, including cost inflation, interest rates, exchange rates, business cycles and employment levels. I am looking for an entry level position with an institution where I will be able to increase my work experience and develop abilities and skills required for this industry.”

2. How To Write A CV With No Experience – Identify your impressive qualities

A CV is supposed to serve as a sales pitch to getting shortlisted for a job, according to Ms. Ndegwa.

First and foremost, you need to figure what it is that you are selling. Come up with a list of all the things you are good at whether they are professional or not and then match these to the key skills the employer is looking for.

For instance, you may be good at playing basketball that demonstrates teamwork and a drive to succeed. Do you have your own blog? Employers will be looking for people with great writing skills and you could make the cut.

3. Rather than listing roles, list your skills instead

This is one of the most important tips on how to write a CV with no experience. Normally most people would write a CV to include their most recent work experience and the roles they played in that position.

However, if you have had part-time jobs in unrelated industries, it would be better to just list your skills instead.

This should come after the personal statement on the CV. Teamwork and leadership would communicate a stronger message that stacks up shelves at Naivas Supermarket.

4. Make the extra-curricular activities look like jobs

Just because you only played the role of a treasurer at your course association at the university, doesn’t mean you didn’t gain valuable experience you can transfer to your job. Most job seekers often overlook the important of extra-curricular activities.

If you have no work experience in your industry, these roles could come in handy. You would be better off than someone who has not listed any.

5. Don’t forget the obvious skills

Are you fortunate enough to have taken driving lessons? Are you tech savvy?

Often most entry level job seekers tend to leave out some of these skills because they think they are not important or they have the insinuation that everyone has them and listing them on their CV wouldn’t make a difference.Well, it does. This is what gets you ahead of the pack.

In conclusion, a CV should serve as the point of reference. Your CV should be able to have the hiring manager want to meet you for an interview.

You can still get that job even without work experience. As long as you sell yourself well on your CV, the sky is the limit. You can apply these skills on how to write a CV with no experience to make it in the job market.

Are you struggling to write that CV that will get you interviews? Get a professionally CV written by visiting CV Writing Service Kenya.

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Lilian is a Communications Officer at Career Point Kenya. Got any CV related queries. Email; lilian@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke