It's crucial to start building your CV as soon as you can. Whether you're looking for a part-time job while studying, on the hunt for ways to make some extra cash or trying to land your first job in the industry of your dreams, your Curriculum Vitae is a crucial tool to help you get there.
Even if you've got a showreel, a video intro or something creative to send to prospective employers, a basic CV should always accompany any application you make.
Student CVs versus other CVs
Before you sit down to create yours, it's essential to understand a bit more about how to write a CV if you're a UK student, and what makes it slightly different from most others. Most CVs are highly focused on experience levels, knowledge and skills, and only touch briefly on character traits; a student CV is often the exact opposite.
Prospective employers already know that as a young person, you're unlikely to have loads of practical skills under your belt, which means the experience section of your CV might look a little thin. That's okay! A new CV is an excellent opportunity to include detail on your positive attributes, what motivates you, and what some of your character strengths are.
How to write a basic CV
There are hundreds of online templates which can show you in detail how to write a good CV for students, with various layouts and styles. Regardless of which one you choose, it's essential to ensure your CV always includes the three important basics:
- Personal details – Your name, contact number, and email address must go at the top of the page. If your email address doesn't scream professional, create a new one just for job hunting and correspondence.
- Education and qualifications – The class or course you completed most recently should go at the top of this section. Include any specific skills learnt or any significant projects you have worked on.
Work experience/Skills – If you're applying for an internship or don't have any work experience yet, you don't have to include this on your first CV. However, adding that you have specific skills that are relevant to the job is beneficial. This could consist of using the Microsoft Suite, Adobe program like Photoshop, or posting ads on social.
Use your social networks
It's always a good idea to create and flesh out a LinkedIn profile, which will grow over time and give prospective employers something to review online. You don't need to include any other social profiles unless they contain content specifically related to the job you're applying for, e.g., food blogging. Don't include links to your personal Insta or TikTok account unless they make an excellent case for hiring you!
Keep it short
Keep your CV to one page only. This saves time for the employer and helps you stick to your most important info. It's competitive out there, and you want to make an impression quickly.
Include a Cover Letter
Cover letters aren't always necessary, but they can definitely give you a competitive edge when applying for a job. Unline your CV, which showcases your skills, experience and achievements, a cover letter is a brilliant way to introduce yourself, add a tailored note to the company you are applying at, and ultimately persuade someone to meet you.
A cover letter needs to be specific to the job you are applying for, so do some research on the company beforehand and make sure you tie it into how you can contribute. This should also be kept concise and to the point, addressed to the company or the name of the person who put out the job ad.
How to find a job
Once your CV is ready, it's time to send it out. Depending on what kind of work you're looking for, entry-level positions such as bar or server work is an easy way to make money. Simply ask at a local restaurant or hotel nearby if they have any available positions.
If you're looking for internships or entry-level positions in a different sector, LinkedIn enables you to search for jobs using filters to find something that's appealing and within your skillset.
Many companies offer internships positions while you study and can be extremely beneficial. Keep your eyes on your favourite brands for these opportunities. Now that you know how to write a CV, it's time to take the next step to the job you want.
Get your head in the right space
At Fresh, all of our student accommodation offers spacious workspace in each room so you can focus while working, studying or writing your CV. Some of our properties also include study spaces, where you can get into the right headspace for a productive CV writing session!
View our student properties now.
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