HOW TO WRITE A CV IF YOU HAVE NO WORK EXPERIENCE (WORK EXPERIENCE)
On this article you will learn how to write a Curriculum vitae / CV. Having graduated from college, it is your time to enter the real world and get a job. To achieve this, you need to have a CV that will sell to employers, that will show the values of the job you have and how you will be a dedicated employee. But when you read a lot of job advertisements in your industry you find that you meet a lot of set criteria other than ‘having a short-term job experience’, and you find yourself at a crossroads due to the fact that you need work to gain experience, but if you need to have experience to given a job.
Fortunately, the experience that most employers need is not only available through the formal employment world, and therefore, the technique of writing a CV without formal work experience lies in using creative methods to show you have transferable skills for the job you are applying for and persuade the employer to look further. what you can do more than what you have ever done. So, how can you submit your CV without work experience? Do the following;
1. SHOW YOUR ABILITY WHEN YOU WRITE A CURRICULUM VITAE /CV
As I said earlier, employers not only look at what you did but also what you can do. So you have to convince them that you have the ability to take the job you are applying for.
If you are a new graduate of computer or business studies for example, ask yourself if you did practical training (field or internship) during your studies? Have you ever worked in the company of a friend, relative or relative even for a short time? You can use all of that to show you have work experience.
2. START YOUR CV WITH PERSONAL INFORMATION
This will be the very first part any employer will read, so make sure it is free of errors. Importantly, make it as short and simple as possible and contain at least 150 words only. Start by introducing yourself, your level of education as well as skills. You can also increase the degree or courses you have studied in college if they are relevant and will increase the appeal depending on the type of responsibilities in the job you are applying for.
Make sure you also set the position you are looking for. if you are applying for only one role, then you can write specifically – “I am looking for a position in the marketing side” etc. – but if you have a wider choice, write in general – “I am looking for a position in the area where I can increase my contribution”.
3. LIST SKILLS INSTEAD OF RESPONSIBILITIES
Make a list of your skills, and illustrate them with examples. If you want to say you have leadership skills, then you can talk about an event you have organized or managed. But perhaps you are good at communications or sales, so give an example of how this helped you in your studies and how you think it will help you in the job you are applying for.
4. EXPLAIN YOUR SUCCESS WHEN YOU WRITE A CURRICULUM VITAE /CV
Talk about your success in different contexts such as research, studies or even entertainment if it fits the type of job you are applying for. By talking about your success you emphasize your skills and experience. Also, show that you have enough knowledge and understanding about what is happening in the field of work you are applying for, and list if you have read the journals about the industry or participated in face-to-face discussions or online discussions.
5. MAKE YOUR ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES LIKE JOBS
Just because you did any unpaid activity does not mean that you did not get the necessary skills. Keep your volunteer work in line with your job responsibilities – show the time you spent, the responsibilities you did and the skills you gained.
Plan your extra activities based on job priorities, for example, if you are applying for a journalism job, the employer will need to know more about the articles you were writing in college journals than your sports prowess. So be careful what extra work you put on your CV based on the job you are applying for.
6. PLAY WELL WITH YOUR EDUCATION WHEN YOU WRITE A CURRICULUM VITAE /CV
If you wrote research as part of your studies, then you can talk about your ability to do research. If you have made a presentation, you can also claim to have experience in public speaking. Include experiences you have acquired in a group project, such as planning skills, or any other skills related to your role in the project.
Many graduates often fail to describe their qualifications and skills in a way that makes sense to employers by not explaining the reason for their employment, and how they can support the company or institution concerned. For example, they may mention in a CV about the research they have written that the content is probably not even relevant to the jobs they are applying for. But if you say you have the skills to do research and therefore be able to write documents that will help communication in various departments of a company or institution, you will receive a more positive response from the employer. The key is to focus on relating what you did before, what you know or experience with the job you are applying for.
Do not make the mistake of leaving a blank space on your CV just because you lack work experience. Part of the work experience in any CV is just a way to show how past experience can be relevant to a future employer.
