How To Write A Graduate Cv

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You’ve worked hard for three, four, five or more years and attained a fantastic qualification that you should be proud of. But now comes the hard part; writing your CV.

Career advice for graduates varies from place to place but the resounding message is that the working world is competitive so, make the most of your CV and apply for the right graduate jobs for you.

Your CV is your advert. Never had a “proper job”? Fear not. You have gained loads of skills during your university life and more often than not these are transferrable into the working world. Graduate jobs are aimed at people like you. Employers understand you don’t have as much experience as others and you are not expected to have a CV full of relevant positions. However, if you do have some work experience under your belt this can certainly work in your advantage. As all career advisors will recommend, use your summer holidays to gain some relevant work experience and seek out career advice from people in the industry.

Top Three Tips for Graduate CVs

1. Clear Layout


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... Employers can be lazy. If you send them a badly presented CV with all of your skills hidden and your education and work experience confusing they won’t spend time searching for the truth. You need to present them with everything they need, clearly labelled subheadings, bullet points where necessary, and straight-to-the point explanations.

2. Be Positive


As a graduate your biggest achievement to date is, without doubt, your degree. Highlight this in your CV and take time to list the relevant skills you’ve learnt and the modules covered that are related to the job you’re applying for. Stand out by introducing a bit of your personality. With competition so high in the graduate sector employers will also keep an eye out for personal profiles. They want someone who will fit into the working environment so give them an idea of what you do in your spare time, where your passions lie and any hobbies you take part in.

3. Lies vs. the Truth


Never, never lie. You will either be caught out in your interview; “cringe”. Or, even worse, you will be offered the job and a few months down the line be embarrassed in front of the entire workforce. Be enthusiastic, passionate and positive. If you’re willing to learn it doesn’t matter if you don’t have all the experience desired.

In recent reports the Jobcentre staffs have been reported to be advising graduates to “dumb down” their CVs. They believe it will help graduates to find work as employers were deterred by their qualifications. Graduates jobs are very competitive but ignoring your qualifications and achievements is not something we recommend.

Stay positive, aim high but be realistic.
CV-Library provides details graduate Career advice to achieve your dream job.