(Newswire.net — October 19, 2022) — When you are a student hoping to land your first real job, thinking about composing your first CV may seem intimidating. But don’t worry! The task is not an impossible one. You can use the following CV examples for students with no experience to inspire you and help you get started.
Combination CV – Great for Students and Graduates
As you’ve looked into writing your first CV, you’ve undoubtedly come across the different types of CVs – the chronological CV, the functional CV, and the combination CV. Which one should you choose?
“It’s the chronological CV, of course!” you might say. And in general, this is the most highly recommended CV format. However, you’re at a point in your career when you have little work experience but you no doubt have a lot of relevant skills and qualifications. You have to focus on making these shine.
For many students, the combination CV is the best choice for breaking into the labor market. Why? Well, the combination CV combines the professionalism and expectations of the chronological CV with the qualifications-based emphasis of the functional CV.
What does a combination CV for students look like? Consider the example below.
John Smith
Student
A self-motivated and enthusiastic university applicant seeking meaningful summer employment in the biological sciences field.
Email: johnsmith@gmail.com
Address: 123 Smart Street, Anywhere, UK
Phone: 55555555555
Experience
Hands-on Volunteer
Castlehill Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Castlehill, Yorkshire
June 2022 to Present
- Assisted with the daily chores, including cleaning animal enclosures, general janitorial services, preparing animal diets, and assisting staff with investigative and observational tasks.
- Participated in monthly staff meetings, including the delivery of 5-minute discourses on personal observations and suggestions.
- Greeted students on class trips, provided tours of the facilities and onboarded new volunteers.
Education
May 2022
Castle Hill School
Castlehill, Yorkshire
Languages
English
French
Skills
Teamwork
Leadership
Written and Verbal Communication
Attention to Detail
Knowledge of Biological Sciences
What did you notice about the sample CV? First, it included the student’s name and contact information, along with a summary of their goals and current situation.
Next, it listed experiences that provided vital transferable skills. Note that this experience was not in the workplace, but was a volunteer opportunity. Similarly, you might include small jobs such as child care or pet sitting, academic pursuits, sports, or other extracurricular activities.
Finally, the CV lists the education, languages, and skills.
Since this is a combination CV, putting things in chronological order is advisable but not necessary. You can always place the most meaningful activities or skills near the top of the document.
Tailor Your CV to Each Application
Did you notice that in the above example, the student desired to ‘seek meaningful summer employment in the biological sciences field’? How could he or she have tailored this portion of the CV more specifically to the job to which they were applying?
Imagine that our student is applying to 3 different jobs or programs. One is an internship in the University’s Biology Department. Another is a tech position at a veterinary office, and the third is for a pet and house-sitting service.
All of the above deal with biological sciences or animals in particular. And, the experience at the Wildlife Center is relevant. But, the student could rephrase the summary statement in the following ways:
A self-motivated and enthusiastic first-year student at Castle University, seeking meaningful summer employment as an Assistant to the Biology Department, in order to master key concepts through hands-on experience.
A self-motivated and enthusiastic university student seeking meaningful summer employment as an Assistant Veterinary Technician, in order to put into practice concepts learned in the biological sciences field.
A self-motivated and enthusiastic university applicant seeking meaningful summer employment in the care and keeping of valued family pets and their environs.
How can you tailor your CV to the position you are applying for? Think about some of the top jobs for students – server, teaching assistant, tutor, dog walker, retail worker, translator, mystery shopper, proofreader, product tester, market researcher, babysitter, photographer, university ambassador, research assistant, hotel receptionist, barista, or prep cook. If you were to apply to one of these jobs, in what ways does your experience relate to the job you’re applying for? How do you hope to utilize the experience gained on this job in your career at large?
These considerations can help you to craft the summary statement and bulleted descriptions of past experience. Don’t forget to include keywords from the job or internship’s description and listing.
In Conclusion
As a student or recent graduate, your career probably isn’t ready for the chronological CV. Instead, you can use a combination CV to highlight your best qualities and qualifications.
Don’t forget to tailor your CV to each job or internship you apply for. Remember, at this point in your career, your CV is not a static, autobiographical history of your life. It is a malleable tool that you will use to put your best foot forward and land the job you want.