Best student CV guide: templates and examples

List your contact details

The contact section is an important part of your CV, as it ensures that potential employers can easily reach you. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and location (city or general area, no full address required). You can also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or personal website, if relevant. Make sure your information is accurate, professional, and up to date.

Start with a strong personal statement

As a student, your personal statement is vital, as it gives recruiters an immediate sense of who you are, what you’ve studied, and what you’re looking to achieve. Since you might not have much work experience, focus on your academic background, relevant skills, and passion for the role you’re applying for. Keep it concise (two to four sentences) and tailor it to the job description.

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Crafting an impactful student CV headline is crucial as it shapes recruiters’ initial impressions. Keep it concise and structured for easy understanding of your profile. Remember to:

• Highlight your student status relevant to the sector in your tagline.
• Personalise your tagline by aligning it with the job advertisement.
• Showcase your value proposition with a compelling tagline.
• Tailor your tagline to fit your unique status (e.g., no experience, master’s degree, high school student, etc.).

Present your work experience

As a student, you’re probably just building up your professional experience and taking your first steps into the job market. Don’t worry; experience gained through internships, voluntary work, or student projects can make a difference when looking for that first job.

Focus on the skills and responsibilities gained from these experiences rather than the job titles themselves. Use bullet points with quantified accomplishments whenever possible. Start each bullet point on your student CV with a unique action word to convey impact and make your student CV more interesting to read.

List your soft and hard skills

When writing a student CV, it’s perfectly normal not to have all the technical skills that might be required in specific roles. However, the soft skills you’ve developed through academic projects, part-time jobs, or extracurricular activities can be incredibly valuable for your student CV. 

Emphasise job skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management, skills that are transferable and relevant to any role. You can also include any technical skills you’ve gained through your coursework or personal projects.

Remember, while you may not have all the technical skills right now, showcasing your soft skills demonstrates your potential to grow and adapt professionally. This balance will set you up as a well-rounded and eager candidate.

Example of student CV skills:

Hard skills:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of data analysis tools like Google Analytics and SPSS
• Project management software such as Trello and Asana
• Research techniques
• AI tools
• Social media management
• Programming languages (C++, Python, Ruby)

Soft skills:

• Strong communication skills
• Interpersonal abilities
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Organisational skills
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Leadership skills
• Presentation skills

Showcase your education & qualifications

At this stage in your career, one of your greatest assets is the knowledge you’ve gained through your studies. Student CVs often stand out due to the formal education and relevant training they showcase. 

In the education section of your student CV, include details about your completed qualifications, such as the name of the institution, the degree or certification awarded, and the completion date. If relevant to the job you’re applying for, you can also mention specific coursework, grades, or your dissertation title. Additional courses and certifications can go a long way in helping an entry-level student’s CV stand out.

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Additional information for your student CV

The Additional Information section of your CV is a great place to highlight details that aren’t fully covered in education, work experience, and skills. Here’s what you might include to enhance your profile:

• Language skills: List any additional languages you speak. This is very useful for roles involving work with diverse groups or international contacts.
• Certifications and licences: You can place important certifications here, such as CPR certification, coding bootcamp certificates, or Google Analytics certification, especially if they are directly relevant to the job you are applying for. While certifications can also be listed under the Education section, placing them in “Additional Information” can help emphasise them more strongly. 
• Conferences and workshops: Mention any relevant industry conferences or workshops you’ve attended or where you’ve presented. This shows you are engaged with your professional community.
• Awards and honours: Include any academic, artistic, or other recognitions you have received that demonstrate your achievements and capabilities.
• Interests and hobbies: Share hobbies or interests that show useful soft skills like teamwork, leadership, or dedication. Choose those that are relevant to the job or show you as a well-rounded person.
• Projects: Highlight key academic or personal projects relevant to your career goals that didn’t fit into other sections of your CV.
• Publications: If you’ve authored or contributed to any articles, books, or blogs, list them here. This is especially useful in fields where publishing is important.