CV Format For Fresh Graduates

By Joan Igamba

You’ve just graduated university? Congratulations! While this is a great achievement, it comes with even greater responsibilities.

One of them, without a doubt, is having to enter the job market. To do this, you need to have a CV Format For Fresh Graduates in order to start applying for these jobs.

Read through this fresher CV format guide and use these tips to quickly create a winning CV.

How do I create the best CV format for fresh graduates?

1. Make your CV relevant to the role.

Don’t underestimate your skills just because you lack years and years of work experience. One technique you can try is breaking down the job into 3 different parts.

Format your CV to show that you have covered some (or all) areas of the jobs that you are applying for. This increases the relevance of your CV to an employer significantly.

For example, if you are applying to an accountant role, you can break it down to filling all types of taxes, knowledge on Quick Books and how to use ITAX.

Now, if you format your CV to reflect you mastering those three areas, you are creating the exact CV format for fresh graduates that an employer is looking for.

2. Show your experience

A majority of employers out there want to see the difference you can make in their organization. Sadly, most freshers don’t account for this when they format their CV.

From your volunteering experience to your internships, try to show what you did and the impact it made to the organizations that you were a part of.

Use exact numbers when possible. If you’ve taken relevant coursework or certifications – make sure that they don’t miss in your CV.

7 sections employers are looking for in a fresher CV format

To craft the perfect fresh graduate CV, these are the sections that you should consider including.

1. CV Header/Contact Information

Your CV’s header is the first thing that any employer will see.  Format it such that it includes your contact information; both email address and phone number as well a website link (if you are in the creative industry). Make sure that your contact information is up to date, and only add emails that look professional.

2. Personal profile

The purpose of this section of a standard CV format is to help your potential employer to understand who you are and what your motivation is for applying to the role.

3. Skills Section

This is one of the most relevant sections of your CV. If you outline the skills that the employer needs in their organization. I do not see why you would not be hired. Remember to include both soft and hard skills.

4. Experience

Underestimating work experience is something that’s common across most fresher CVs. A lot of companies that hire fresh graduates usually look for relevant projects or coursework.

A relevant example of experience could be something that you did in your coursework or during your final year project.

5. Education

A lot of job requirements demand a level of education. Clearly formatting your educational qualifications helps your job application to get closer to being shortlisted.

6. Additional Certificates

If you’ve taken the time to do extra certifications outside of your degree or diploma, I don’t see why you would not include it as part of your CV format for fresh graduates.

However, make sure that they are relevant to the job you are applying for. They should show skills gained that would be of value to the organization.

7. References

When you format your references section, ensure to add your referee’s name, job title, a contact number and email information.

In conclusion,

An effectively written CV for fresh graduates will have the above components. To better help you format your CV as a fresh graduate, you can contact brenda@corporatestaffing.co.ke. She is a professional CV writer at Corporate Staffing Services who can advise you further on how best to write your CV as a fresh graduate.

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