Student CV example for first applications

If you are applying for an internship, part-time job or graduate role, your CV might be shorter on paid experience than on learning. That is normal. The goal is to show relevant skills, concrete projects and reliability — not to invent a work history you do not have.

Lead with education when experience is thin

Place your degree, school and expected graduation date near the top. Add honours, relevant modules or thesis topics if they connect to the role.

If you are still in secondary school, list expected qualifications and strongest subjects instead of leaving the section empty.

Projects beat empty experience sections

Coursework, personal apps, design portfolios, society committees and hackathon builds all demonstrate ability. Describe what you built, what you contributed and one measurable outcome where possible.

Link to a portfolio or GitHub only if it is presentable. A recruiter prefers three strong projects to ten unfinished repos.

Volunteering, sports and part-time work count

Retail shifts, tutoring, team captain roles and charity events show punctuality, teamwork and responsibility. Write them like mini jobs: role, organisation, dates and one result.

Do not dismiss them because they were not full-time. Early-career CVs are judged on potential and evidence of effort.

Skills: short and honest

List tools and languages you can use in practice — Excel, Python, Adobe Illustrator, public speaking — not every buzzword from a job ad. Match the posting where you genuinely have the skill.

For language levels in Europe, use CEFR labels (B2, C1) when applying internationally.

Fictional example (adapt, do not copy verbatim)

The block below is a sample structure only — not a real person. Replace every line with your own details.

Fictional example

Maya Chen — Junior Marketing Assistant (seeking internship) Education: B.Sc. Business Administration, University of Vienna (expected 2027). Relevant modules: Digital Marketing, Statistics. Experience: Social media volunteer, Local food bank (2024–present) — scheduled posts, grew Instagram followers by 15% over three months. Projects: University market research project — surveyed 120 students on sustainable packaging; presented findings to faculty panel. Skills: Google Sheets, Canva, copywriting, English C1, German B2.

Frequently asked questions

How long should a student CV be?

One page is enough for most students and graduates. Focus on relevance rather than filling space.

Should I include high school if I am at university?

Usually you can drop detailed school history once you have a degree in progress. Keep the section if it is your highest qualification.

Can I use this example as my CV?

No — it is fictional. Use it as a pattern for headings and bullet style, then write your own content in the builder.

Do I need a photo on a student CV?

Depends on country and employer. In some European markets it is optional. Skip it if unsure or if the posting discourages photos.

Related resources

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