CV with no work experience: example and tips for starters
No work experience? Then your CV has to make it on structure, projects and growth mindset. On this page you'll read how to build a strong starter CV, which sections are extra important, and which mistakes to avoid.
No work experience is no problem
Recruiters for entry-level roles know you have zero work experience. They're not looking for job titles - they're looking for evidence you can learn, collaborate and stick with things. Study projects, internships, side jobs, volunteering and personal projects all provide that evidence.
At CVontwerper all 8 templates load directly with the right structure for starters. Start free - only pay €2 when you want to download.
Which structure do you pick without work experience?
The classic 'Experience first' order doesn't work if that section stays blank. Reverse the order: education at the top, then projects, then any side jobs and internships.
1. Personal details
Name, email, phone, city, LinkedIn URL.
2. Profile summary (critical for starters!)
3-4 sentences: what did you study, what are you looking for, and which 1-2 strengths do you bring. Avoid 'driven' and 'eager to learn' - prove it instead of stating it.
3. Education
Highest education first. Institution, degree, period. Add: thesis topic, minor, relevant courses, and GPA above 7.5. Studied abroad? Mention it.
4. Projects
This is the make-or-break section for starters. Study projects, personal apps, freelance assignments, hackathons, design challenges. Describe in 1 sentence + 2 bullets what you built, with whom, and what the result was.
5. Internships and side jobs
Internships: list company, period and concrete tasks that are relevant. Side jobs (hospitality, retail): focus on transferable skills - customer contact, multi-tasking, POS systems, planning.
6. Skills
Split into technical (programming languages, software, languages) and soft skills (only mention if you have a concrete example in your bullets).
7. Optional: volunteering, hobbies, certifications
Board role student association? Marathon? Online courses Coursera/Udemy? Adds color and shows initiative.
Example texts for your starter CV
Concrete phrasings you can adapt to your situation. Don't copy - let them inspire.
Example profile summary
Recently graduated data analyst (MSc Business Analytics, UvA, cum laude) with proven Python and SQL skills from three study projects. Built a dashboard during minor that saved 60 hours of manual work per month for a local entrepreneur. Looking for a junior data role in a team where I can learn fast and make direct impact.
Example project bullet
❌ Weak: "Built an app for school"
✓ Strong: "Built a budgeting app for students in React Native - 4-person team, 8 weeks, received by 240 test users with 4.2/5 rating on TestFlight"
Example side-job bullet
❌ Weak: "Worked in a restaurant"
✓ Strong: "Service team member at La Place Central Station - served on average 80 customers per shift during peak hours, trained 3 new colleagues on POS system"
5 mistakes starters make
Common misses we see over and over on entry-level CVs.
Leaving an empty 'Work experience' block
An empty section screams 'I have nothing'. Replace with 'Projects' or 'Relevant experience' and fill that block with what you DO have: study, volunteer or personal projects.
Using vague clichés
'Fast learner', 'team player', 'driven' - recruiters scroll past. Prove it: 'Passed all 6 courses in semester 1 with grades 8+ alongside a 24-hour-per-week side job'.
Overstating hobbies
'Watching movies' and 'travel' add nothing. 'Board role student association (200 members, €40k annual budget)' or 'Ran a marathon in 3:18 in 2024' does.
Too-long CV (2+ pages)
For starters: 1 page is the norm. Recruiters see immediately whether you can prioritize what matters. Going over a page? Cut hobbies first, then oldest side job, then minor details under education.
No LinkedIn URL
For starters, LinkedIn is extra important: it proves you're active in your field. Fill your profile fully, and put the URL on your CV (short: linkedin.com/in/yourname).
Ready to build?
Our builder guides you per field. Fill in step by step, AI helps with bullets, live preview shows what the recruiter sees.
Which template do you pick as a starter?
For starters we recommend 'ATS Pro' or 'Modern'. Both have a prominent Profile Summary section at the top (critical if yours is good) and a clean Projects section. Avoid templates with large sidebars if you have little to fill - they look empty.
See all templates →FAQ about CV without work experience
What goes at the top if I have no work experience?▾
Profile summary. 3-4 sentences summarizing your study, goal and 1-2 strengths. For starters that's your elevator pitch - recruiters read it first and decide whether to keep looking.
Do internships count as work experience?▾
Yes, absolutely. List them under 'Work experience' or 'Internships and side jobs' with company, period and 2-3 bullets about concrete achievements. For higher-ed internships, anything longer than 6 weeks counts.
How do I handle a gap after my studies?▾
Be honest and short. 'Traveled 6 months through Southeast Asia, learned basic Mandarin' or 'Cared for my mother after surgery, completed online courses X and Y'. An honest gap with no follow-up is better than a lie.
Can I mention side jobs?▾
Yes, if they show transferable skills. Working at La Place: customer contact, POS, teamwork. Working at a landscaper: planning, physical endurance, product knowledge. Describe what you learned, not just what you did.
How do I make my CV attractive without work experience?▾
By being concrete. Numbers, amounts, percentages, project names and tools. 'Built portfolio of 5 React apps' is stronger than 'learned to code'. Study achievements count too: 'cum laude', 'top 10% of class', 'first prize hackathon'.
Which skills do I list as a starter?▾
Technical skills you learned in your study or projects: programming languages, software (Adobe suite, Figma, Excel level), CMS systems, languages with level. Soft skills only if you have a concrete example in your bullets.
Can I mention grades from my education?▾
Only if they're strong. GPA above 7.5 (NL scale) or cum laude: yes. Below 7.5: leave out. Specific courses you can mention if relevant for the role.
How many pages should a starter CV be?▾
1 page. Really. If you fill 2 pages without work experience, you're filling it with too much detail - recruiters see that as lack of priorities. One page forces you to pick the strongest 70%, which is always better.
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