How to make a CV to get your first job, as more and more students drop out of university

As A-level results day approaches, hundreds of thousands of students will be considering what their next step should be.

An increasing number of 18-year-olds are expected to leave higher education and enter the workforce this year.

Some do not believe that a degree is necessary to get a good job, while others may be concerned about college fees.

The latest UCAS data shows that the rate of university applications for school leavers has fallen over the past two years. Some 41.9 per cent applied to start their studies this autumn, compared with 42.1 per cent last year and 44.1 per cent in 2022.

For those making their first foray into the job market, a good starting point is to create a winning CV.

Not only can doing so help you prepare for applying for jobs, but it can also give you an idea of ​​what skills and experience you have and where you can make improvements.

But how do you create a CV that employers won’t reject, and what can you do to make yourself more employable?

What is a CV?

A CV is an opportunity to showcase your skills and experience when applying for a job, and gives you (and the employer) something to fall back on during the later stages of an application.

Curriculum vitae, which stands for ‘life story’, is a summary of your life to date, bringing together everything from your education to your achievements and hobbies.

Since recruiters are often faced with hundreds of CVs for open positions, it is essential that yours stands out and sells you as a potential candidate.

What are employers looking for?

With an inbox full of CVs, half the battle is making sure yours doesn’t get discarded straight away.

Firstly, your CV should be easy to read, with simple fonts, bullet points and defined sections. An employer is unlikely to go on for too long with a lot of text, so save the details for your cover letter.

Equally important is to avoid spelling mistakes. It is best to ask someone to proofread your CV, as spell check does not catch all errors and a fresh look will help to eliminate them.

Once you have a basic CV ready, it is important to tailor it to each position you apply for. This ensures that the experience and skills you show the recruiter are relevant to the position in question.

Natalie Matalon, HR Director at Totaljobs, said: “Employers look for relevance, clarity and consistency in a CV. They appreciate a clear and concise format that matches the job description and includes a short personal statement at the top to quickly understand your profile.”

In most cases, this will not require significant changes to the document and will also prevent your CV from immediately ending up in the shredder.

Matt Collingwood, chief executive of recruitment agency VIQU IT Recruitment, told This is Money: “When I’ve hired school leavers in the past, it was because they had something on their CV that caught my eye and impressed me. It was something that not all other young people could include.

‘Experiences and skills that have clearly been sought with a particular career direction or motivation in mind show the type of employee a school graduate could be.’

Depending on the type of industry you want to work in, taking a multimedia approach to your CV could also impress a future boss.

If you’re looking for a job involving design or social media, for example, you could create a visual CV using a video or a website.

“Consider going above and beyond to stand out,” says Matalon. “Support your written resume with a video link explaining why you’re the ideal candidate or create a visual portfolio of the work you’ve done.”

How can I improve my CV?

Having recently finished school, it is unlikely that you have much work experience.

If you have a part-time job, it’s unlikely to be in your chosen sector. But even then, there are likely to be transferable skills that could be applied to the jobs you’re applying for. These could include dealing with customers, using specific software, or even getting to work on time.

If you want to go even further, seeking relevant work experience or volunteering can be a good way to compensate for a lack of work experience.

Volunteering opportunities can often be found in areas such as charities, teaching or sports clubs.

Emily Maguire, Career Coach at Reflections Career Coaching, says: “Internships and volunteering can help school leavers become more employable. They allow them to learn valuable, transferable skills and show employers how committed and motivated they are to finding work.”

How to avoid making your CV look too empty

If you have minimal experience, your CV may appear relatively sparse. This isn’t necessarily a problem, as it allows the recruiter to easily navigate the document rather than having to struggle to find the information they’re looking for.

However, a CV that is too bare risks making you look unqualified and suggesting that you don’t have much to back up your application.

This can be addressed by including your personal achievements, such as awards you have received and extracurricular activities you participate in. The key here is to show what transferable skills you have acquired in the process.

Matalon said: ‘While academic achievements are expected on a CV at this level, don’t underestimate the importance of personal achievements. Potential employers will notice them, so you shouldn’t overlook them when writing your post-school CV.’

‘When entering the job market, employers look for more than just academic achievements; they also value traits that show you are eager to learn and have the right attitude.’

Most employers, while screening candidates based on their qualifications, are also looking to hire versatile people who will fit into their current workforce. Lack of interest will not make you more employable.

Who should be my references?

In general, your references should be people you have worked closely with and who can attest to your skills and work ethic.

If you have a part-time job or volunteer, this could be your manager. In other cases, you might choose a teacher or sports coach.

Make sure you have the details of your chosen references so you can pass them on to your potential employer if requested.

It is best to ask your references for permission before adding them to your CV.