Graduating from university is often described as a milestone moment, a gateway to opportunity. Yet, many graduates do not know how to write a UK graduate CV for first job.
Suddenly, the celebration of academic achievement is overshadowed by questions like “What exactly do I include?” or “How do I make myself stand out when I have little experience?”
This anxiety is not misplaced.
The encouraging truth is that employers do not expect graduates to have long lists of professional titles. Instead, they seek evidence of transferable skills, intellectual curiosity, and potential.
Whether demonstrated through coursework, extracurricular activities, volunteering, or part-time work, these qualities can and should be positioned as valuable assets.
This guide will show you how to write a UK Graduate CV for a First Job and transform the challenge of writing your first CV into a strategic opportunity.
What makes a graduate CV different in the UK?
For many graduates, the terms “CV” and “résumé” are often used interchangeably. While both serve as professional summaries, the UK graduate CV follows a distinct format and set of expectations that differ significantly from those in other countries.
According to the Institute of Student Employers (ISE), graduate roles in the UK attract an average of 91 applicants per vacancy. In such a competitive market, your CV becomes far more than a formality; it is your first and, in many cases, only chance to secure attention.
Unlike the American résumé, which is typically a concise one-page document tailored specifically to each role, the UK CV is generally two pages in length and provides a more holistic picture.
It emphasises academic achievements, key projects, extracurricular commitments, and transferable skills, which are advantageous for graduates with limited professional history. Another important distinction lies in what is excluded.
In the UK, details such as age, marital status, or photographs are deliberately omitted to reduce unconscious bias in recruitment. Instead, the focus remains firmly on your competencies and suitability for the role.
This is important to know for CV Optimisation for International Students in the UK.
In other words, your CV should not only showcase your academic qualifications but also highlight the personal and professional strengths you bring to the table.
The UK graduate CV, therefore, is not simply a record. It is a strategic document designed to highlight your readiness to transition from student to professional.
UK CV format vs CVs in other countries
Understanding the nuances of format is critical when entering the UK job market. While CVs across the globe serve the same fundamental purpose, the UK graduate CV is structured to provide greater depth and breadth.
US résumé: Typically one page, highly condensed, and tailored to each role.
UK graduate CV: Usually two pages, offering a fuller narrative that includes academic modules, dissertations, placements, volunteering, and extracurricular leadership roles.
In many regions outside the UK, it is common to include photographs, personal details, or unrelated hobbies. In contrast, the UK market expects a clean, professional, and bias-free format.
Recruiters are looking for clarity and relevance, not additional personal information.
Employers’ expectations reflect this.
A 2024 report revealed that recruiters spend just 30 seconds to one minute reviewing a CV during the initial scan.
This means presentation, structure, and prioritisation of information are as important as the content itself.
In practice, adopting the correct format signals to employers that you understand and respect the conventions of the UK job market. A CV that deviates from these expectations may appear “out of place” and risk being overlooked, regardless of the quality of its content.
Length, tone, and what recruiters expect from graduates
For a UK graduate CV, the ideal length is typically two pages. While a one-page CV is sometimes acceptable, aiming for two pages allows you to provide enough detail without overwhelming the reader.
Remember, recruiters spend only a few seconds scanning each CV, so every word counts.
The tone should be professional, but also convincing, knowledgeable, and conversational, as if a mentor were speaking directly to you.
You’re not just listing facts; you’re telling a story about why you are the best candidate for the job. Recruiters know you won’t have decades of experience, so they are looking for potential, not perfection.
They want to see your transferable skills, your passion, and how you’ve applied yourself in different situations. A well-crafted CV demonstrates that you are ready and eager to learn, which is often more valuable than a long list of previous jobs.
See Also:
- Balancing Work and Job Search UK Advice
- How To Address Employment Gaps On Your CV After Maternity Leave
Key sections every UK graduate CV must include
A graduate CV is strongest when it is structured with purpose.
About 65% of hiring managers say they’re less likely to hire someone whose CV is poorly formatted.
Each section should give recruiters exactly what they need without unnecessary filler. This is one of the best cv templates for UK Job applications
- Personal Statement
Your personal statement is a 3–5 sentence summary of your background, strengths, and goals. It should answer: Who are you? What do you offer? Where are you headed?
Example:
Keen to contribute to innovative software development teams.”
- Education
As a graduate, education is your anchor. List: Degree, university, and classification
Key modules (3–4 aligned to the role), Major projects or dissertations.
Recruiters value evidence of application projects that often highlight problem-solving and analytical skills that employers consistently rank as top priorities.
- Work Experience, Internships, Volunteering
Experience doesn’t have to be career-specific. Include part-time jobs, placements, or volunteering, focusing on achievements, not duties.
Example:
“Delivered customer service in a high-volume café, contributing to a 15% rise in positive feedback.”
Employers value initiative; nearly 40% say extracurricular and voluntary activities positively influence hiring (ISE).
- Skills
Source: Cultivated Culture
Job Seekers Only Match 51% Of Job Description Keywords On Their Resume so, it important to include hard skills and other skills in your CV.
Technical skills (software, tools, programming)
Transferable skills (communication, teamwork, leadership)
Always back skills with examples:
Communication: Presented research findings to 50 peers and faculty.
Leadership: Chaired student society events attended by 200+ students.
Recruiters repeatedly place these above academic grades in importance (ISE).
Personal statement tailored for entry-level roles
Your personal statement, also known as a profile, is a short, punchy paragraph at the top of your CV that acts as your professional elevator pitch.
It should be three to five sentences long and summarise who you are, what you have to offer, and what your career goals are.
For a graduate, this is your chance to shine. Focus on your academic achievements, your key skills (both technical and soft skills), and your enthusiasm for the industry.
For example, instead of writing, “A hardworking graduate seeking a job,” you could write something like:
“A recent BSc Computer Science graduate with a first-class honours degree and a passion for full-stack development. Proficient in Python and JavaScript, with a final-year project that involved building a scalable e-commerce platform. Seeking an entry-level developer role where I can apply my skills and contribute to innovative projects.”
Education details and relevant coursework
For a graduate, the education section is the most important part of your CV. Start with your most recent degree first, followed by previous qualifications.
Be sure to include:
- University Name and Location: E.g., University of Manchester, Manchester
- Degree and Grade: E.g., BSc (Hons) Computer Science, First-Class Honour
- Dates of Study: E.g., September 2021 – June 2025
- Relevant Modules: List 3-4 modules that are directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. This is where you can show off your specialised knowledge.
- Key Projects: Mention any major projects or dissertations, especially if they demonstrate skills the employer is looking for.
See Also:
- How to Ask Thoughtful Questions at the End of an Interview
- CV Writing for Healthcare Professionals in the UK
Work experience, internships, and volunteering
Even if you have no “official” work experience in your field, you likely have transferable skills from other roles. Think about part-time jobs, internships, volunteer positions, or even work placements during your studies.
For each entry, include:
- Job Title: E.g., Sales Assistant, Volunteer Coordinator
- Employer: E.g., Tesco, Red Cross Society
- Dates of Employment: E.g., June 2022 – August 2025
- Bullet Points: Use strong action verbs to describe your responsibilities and achievements.
Instead of saying, “I served customers,” say, “Delivered exceptional customer service, leading to a 15% increase in positive feedback.”
This is where you can quantify your accomplishments with numbers.
Skills section that highlights transferable strengths
This section is your opportunity to list the technical and soft skills you’ve acquired. Group them into categories for clarity.
- Technical Skills: Programming languages (Python, Java), software (Adobe Suite, Salesforce), data analysis tools (SQL, Tableau).
- Soft Skills: This is where you list your transferable skills. Think about communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
Don’t just list them; provide an example of how you used each one.
For instance, “Communication: Presented a research paper to an audience of 50 students and faculty members.”
How to write a graduate CV with little or no experience
Many graduates panic at the thought of writing a CV without “real” work experience. The good news is, employers don’t expect you to have a long career history; they want to see how you’ve applied your skills so far.
Here’s how to make your CV shine even with limited experience.
Turning academic projects into achievements
Your university projects and dissertations are valuable proof of your abilities. This is a write way to write CV for Scientists and Researchers.
Highlight:
What you worked on (the focus of the project)
Your role (team leader, researcher, analyst, etc.)
The outcome (grades, results, recognition)
Example:
“Developed a machine learning model that predicted stock prices with 92% accuracy for the final-year project, demonstrating advanced Python and data analysis skills.”
Showcasing extracurricular activities and leadership
Employers value well-rounded candidates. Sports teams, societies, and volunteering demonstrate commitment, teamwork, and initiative. If you held leadership roles, such as president, treasurer, or coordinator, highlight the impact you made.
Highlighting soft skills employers value in graduates
Employers value well-rounded candidates. Sports teams, societies, and volunteering demonstrate commitment, teamwork, and initiative.
If you held leadership roles, such as president, treasurer, or coordinator, highlight the impact you made.
Formatting tips to make your graduate CV stand out
Content is only half the story; presentation is what gets your CV noticed in the first 30 seconds. A well-formatted CV signals professionalism and Gets Noticed by Recruiters before they even read a word.
CV length, layout, and font style best practices
Length: Aim for two pages; one if your content is very focused. Anything longer risks losing attention.
Layout: Keep margins consistent, use clear headings, and leave white space to avoid clutter.
Font: Choose professional, readable fonts (Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman) at 10–12pt.
Using bullet points and action verbs for impact
Dense paragraphs are hard to scan. Use bullet points starting with strong verbs like “delivered, managed, developed, improved.”
Example:
Instead of: “Responsible for managing a social media page.”
Try: “Managed the university society’s social media page, increasing engagement by 25% over six months.”
Avoiding common CV mistakes graduates make
There are a lot of Common CV Mistakes mistakes to avoid as a fresh graduate seeking employment.
- Typos and grammar errors: proofread multiple times.
- Generic content: tailor each CV to the role.
- Overloading with irrelevant details: recruiters value precision.
- Poor formatting: messy structure can undermine strong content.
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Tailoring your graduate CV for the UK job market
The UK job market is competitive, and a one-size-fits-all CV rarely works. To stand out, you need to adapt your CV to the role, the industry, and the way recruiters screen applications.
Matching your CV to job descriptions
This is the most critical step in the application process. You must be able to Tailor Your CV to A Job Description. For every job you apply for, read the job description carefully and identify the key skills and responsibilities.
Then, go back to your CV and subtly adjust your bullet points and personal statement to reflect these keywords. Resume Keyword Optimisation is key because it makes your CV more appealing to both recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Using UK-friendly keywords for ATS systems
Many UK companies filter CVs through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) before a human sees them. Without the right keywords, your CV may never reach a recruiter.
Weave in terms like:
“entry level CV template UK”
“first job CV with no experience UK”
“CV personal statement graduate UK”
Use them naturally, not as a list. This increases your chances of passing the ATS scan.
See Also:
- Entry-Level CV Tips for UK Employers
- How a UK Compliance Bootcamp and CV Optimisation Launched My Career
Adapting your CV for specific industries (finance, tech, healthcare)
While the general principles remain the same, certain industries have specific requirements. And also, your cv depends on your application. For instance, how to write an Academic CV for a master’s Application is different from that of a bachelor’s degree application.
Finance: Emphasise numerical skills, analytical abilities, and any experience with financial modelling or data analysis.
Tech: Highlight specific programming languages, software, and your portfolio of projects (e.g., a GitHub link).
Healthcare: Focus on communication skills, empathy, and any volunteer or placement experience in a healthcare setting.
The user must also be familiar with How to Use Keywords to Optimise Your CV for Specific Job Postings
Your CV is a document that will evolve throughout your career. Right now, it’s a testament to your hard work and potential.
Writing a UK graduate CV for your first job doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s about showcasing potential, not perfection.
By focusing on academic achievements, transferable skills, and a clear structure, a well-written CV can open doors to incredible opportunities across the UK job market.
Still, crafting a standout CV can be tricky, especially when competing with hundreds of other graduates.
That’s where ApplyBuddy.co.uk comes in. Designed to help graduates build professional UK-standard CVs, prepare for interviews, and connect with real employers looking for fresh talent.
Start with Applybuddy today!
FAQs
What is the best CV format for graduates with no experience in the UK?
The best format is a reverse chronological one that prioritises your education and highlights academic projects, extracurricular activities, and transferable skills gained from any part-time work or volunteering.
Should I include my A-Levels on my graduate CV for a first job?
Yes, you should. Since you have limited work experience, including your A-Levels or other pre-university qualifications, provides a fuller picture of your academic background and achievements.
How long should a UK graduate CV be for entry-level roles?
Ideally, a UK graduate CV should be one to two pages long. While a single page is concise, a two-page document allows you to provide a more detailed account of your relevant academic projects and skills.
Do UK employers expect a cover letter with a graduate CV?
Yes, in most cases, a cover letter is expected. It’s an opportunity to explain why you are a great fit for the specific role and company, and to elaborate on points from your CV.