How to write a brilliant Graduate CV

Crafting an effective graduate CV is your ticket to landing that first professional role. Here are some essential tips to help you create a standout CV:

1. Start with a Strong Personal Statement

Kick off your CV with a personal statement that highlights your educational background, key skills, and career aspirations. This section should give a brief overview of who you are, what you bring to the table, and how your career vision aligns with their organisation’s vision. 

2. Emphasise Your Education

Your education is your strongest asset as a recent graduate. List your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent. Include the name of the institution, degree obtained and dates attended. Mention any relevant coursework, projects or academic achievements that align with the job you’re applying for.

3. Highlight Relevant Experience

Include work experience, internships or volunteer roles relevant to the role. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements, starting each with a strong action verb. No one will be expecting you to have transformed the business as an intern so don’t oversell your contribution but do include details of how you assisted or supported colleagues with projects or initiatives.  

4. Showcase Your Skills

Create a skills section to highlight both hard and soft skills. Technical skills, like proficiency in programming languages, and soft skills, such as teamwork and communication, are essential. Tailor this section to match the skills listed in the job description.

5. Include Extracurricular Activities

Showcase your well-rounded personality and transferable skills by including extracurricular activities. Link these activities to the attributes the company is asking for - leadership roles in clubs, sports teams or student organisations can highlight your ability to manage responsibilities and work in a team.

6. Keep It Professional and Concise

Ensure your CV is well-organised, concise and free of errors. Use a clean, professional layout with clear headings. Aim to keep your CV to one page if possible, focusing on the most relevant information. Hint: we prefer using third person narrative!

By following these guidelines, you can create a compelling graduate CV that effectively showcases your qualifications and potential, making a strong impression on potential employers.