How to write a CV with no work experience as a student
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I’m a first year student and I need to apply for an internship but my CV is basically empty. I’ve never had a proper job — just some babysitting and helping my parents at their shop. I don’t know what to put. All the CV templates I find assume you have work history.
1 replies
The secret most students don't know: internship recruiters at good companies are *not expecting significant work experience* from first years. They're hiring for potential, attitude, and skills — not a resume full of jobs. A blank-looking CV with strong framing beats a padded one with weak framing.
**What to include instead of work experience:**
**Education section** (make this detailed):
- Your degree, university, expected graduation year
- Relevant modules (list 4-6 that are relevant to the internship)
- Any academic projects, dissertations, or group work
- Grade/predicted grade if good
**Skills section**:
- Technical: software, languages, tools (be honest about proficiency)
- Languages if any
- Any certifications (Google Analytics, Microsoft Office, first aid, etc.)
**Activities / Extracurriculars**:
- University societies, sports, volunteering
- Any leadership roles (even informal — "organised team events for the tennis society")
**Reframe your actual experience**:
- "Babysitting" → "Childcare and household management, demonstrating responsibility and trust"
- Helping at parents' shop → "Retail and customer service, including stock management and customer-facing duties" — this is real experience!
The cover letter is where you explain your enthusiasm and why you're applying. That matters more than the CV for internships.