The Iglu Guide | Blog
How to write a winning CV when new to the workforce
It can be hard to perfect that first CV – particularly when you’re approaching the end of your studies and you feel like you don’t have the right experience. But when it comes to new graduates, employers are more than aware of this and they’re looking at your profile through a much wider recruitment lens. And you have to start somewhere, right? When you’re ready to nail that first job interview, here’s what you need to know about what your future employers are looking for.
First impressions really do count
Recruiters receive hundreds of CVs every day, and spend around an average of 10 seconds scanning each one to see if it’s worthy of an interview. That means you have very little time to make that all important first impression. Don’t waste it! Consider carefully the objective of your application and what needs to be communicated upfront. Many successful CVs include a 2-3 sentence introduction that give a quick snapshot of your skills and achievements, all indicating why you would make such a great candidate. Essentially, you want to let your employer know that that you are enthusiastic, interested and motivated – and have all the right skills to help the company achieve in the future. This first impression opportunity is even more important for recent graduates who are unlikely to have had much work experience that is directly relevant.
Choose your format
How do you want your resumé to look? What information do you want your prospective employer to see first? There are different ways of formatting a CV with many free templates available online. Most candidates opt for the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent achievements and qualifications. Some choose to use a functional format which focusses on skills and achievements. Have a look at the options online and see which layout and look best suits your needs. Most importantly, think hard about what you are applying for, tailor your application and make sure everything you are communicating leans into that narrative.
Personal information
Writing out your contact details may sound easy, but make sure you triple-check this section for mistakes. After all, if you can’t get this bit right, it doesn’t say much about your ability to manage in the job. Many employers take a sneak peek online to get an idea of the type of person you are, so make sure your social channels don’t contain anything that might hamper your chances of employment.
Education
For first-time job seekers, this is an important section which should be clearly formatted and easy to understand at a glance.
- University, location
- Degree
- Dates
- Fields of study (major/minor)
- GPA
- Related activities eg extracurricular, achievements, exchange programs etc.
Showcase your experience
Employers understand that as a recent graduate, your work experience is probably fairly limited. What they will be more interested in is how you have enriched your student years in ways that make you stand out from the crowd. This includes any internships, extracurricular activities, group projects or part-time work. Essentially, they want to understand how you have spent your time and what skills you have gained from it that inform the well-rounded person you are today. It might be that you worked at a local café for 3 years demonstrating commitment, teamwork, communication skills and dedication, gaining valuable customer service experience along the way. You may have run a student film club demonstrating a personal passion, commitment and leadership skills. Any volunteer work is also hugely valuable as it shows that you care about issues beyond yourself, and are prepared to make a firm commitment for a higher purpose. Most importantly, never underestimate your experiences just because they may not seem directly relevant.
No experience?
Focus on highlighting your skills, learning and education, making sure that they lean into the requirements of the job. Most employers won’t expect work experience. Instead, they’ll be looking more at who you are and how you spend your time. Any internships, projects or extra-curricular activities are perfectly acceptable for that first job application.
Stick to one page!
Employers are busy people and will be keen to get a one-page snapshot of who you are. The aim of the game is to be shortlisted for an interview, where you have the opportunity to go into real depth about why you are perfect for the job.
