How Do I Write A CV, If I Have Never Worked?

“Hi. I need help figuring out some things. I graduated in August 2018 and so far have not been able to land any job. I ensure I apply for at least ten jobs every morning. I have networked with people I know who can help me secure employment but so far all that effort is yet to bear fruit. I have not been able to land a job or an internship and I am beginning to think that my CV could be the problem. Kindly advice.”

This was Sarah’s email to me. Like her, have you been applying for jobs without any success?

Have you been in Sarah’s position? What did you do differently that landed you a job?

If you are like Sarah here’s what you can do:

Be aware that a CV is not at all the first step in job search. If you see it in context, that helps.

The first, however, is networking – telling everyone you know what job you want and why you think you can do it. It has to be short. This is your ‘shorthand CV’ if you like. Then you give the person a card with your name, email, phone, a tag line like “Senior HR head in major organizations” and the link to your LinkedIn Profile. That is your online CV these days – and it is right there on that card every time you talk with anyone. 

Just like any CV you feature your education and jobs you’ve held, the latest one first – in reverse chronological order.

Now, you have to put dates on – and that will certainly show you haven’t worked at these jobs in a long while. But there’s room for you to put down what you have been doing, which ideally is something relevant to the role you are targeting.

Did you consult, coach or counsel on the side (maybe even not for money)? Have you taken or are you taking ‘advanced courses’ in your field or upgrading your qualifications? Have you done some online work? If you haven’t, start some of these.

Remember this won’t convince every employer, but you only need one who happens to be looking for what you can legitimately claim to be. You have to tailor what you put down from all you did when not working so that it fits with the ‘ask’ – the job you said you were after.

Some people will inevitably want to interview you for other, loosely related jobs, too, and that’s fine. But it’s easier to find a job if you’re focused in your presentation on just one thing. 

Sometimes any little experience counts. If you did volunteer work, include it. If you did some courses that could be relevant to the job you are applying for, then it doesn’t hurt to mention it. The employer will appreciate seeing some level of experience because it will show that you are credible and have positioned yourself as a professional.

Think of your CV as a marketing tool, how would you sell yourself?

Are you struggling to find jobs with your CV like Sarah? Get a FREE CV Review from professional CV Writers.

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