here is your graduate CV template

As a recent university graduate, you’re probably excited, anxious and a little daunted by the prospect of full-time work. However, with the job market as competitive as it is, how do you stand out amongst your peers? Our free graduate CV example is here to help.

University experiences are likely to form the backbone of your CV but remember to include more than just your grades. There’s a wealth of experience that you’ll have gained while taking part in societies, sports teams and learning new skills, so don’t be afraid to show this in your CV or job application. If you’ve written for the university newspaper, captained the hockey team or organised a charity event, think about how this could transfer to a working environment and make you attractive to recruiters.

You should also include your hobbies, assuming that they’re relevant, as concrete examples of your soft skills. Writing a blog shows creativity and individuality, for example, while an avid chess player probably knows a thing or two about strategy. An essential thing to remember when fleshing out our graduate CV template is that you’re acquiring useful skills all the time – you just need to show them off to your potential employer.

Most importantly, make sure that you include your university results and present them clearly and concisely. Think about including grades for any particularly relevant modules that you studied. Also, other qualifications such as IT or language skills all help to present you as the ideal candidate.

Applying for your first full-time position can be nerve-wracking. Download our graduate CV template to help you to take the pressure off with a good first impression.

[download graduate CV template]

Our graduate CV example comes with several distinct sections and, generally, you’ll want to keep your CV to one or two sides of A4. Here are some tips on nailing down each section.

 

personal statement

Your personal statement should always be at least partly tailored to the job for which you’re applying. You’ll want to briefly summarise and talk up any relevant job experience and volunteer work while picking out relevant qualifications and activities outside of your studies.

Most importantly, try to demonstrate your enthusiasm and personality, including the reason why you’re applying in the first place.

 

employment history

Next, highlight your responsibilities and achievements within particular companies. You might not have a wealth of experience as a recent graduate but, if you’ve completed internships, volunteer work and temporary roles, you could still have lots to show off.

These could include soft skills such as problem solving, teamwork and attention to detail. A desire for learning new skills, meanwhile, is crucial for graduate and entry-level candidates.

 

education

Your university qualifications are an obvious starting point in this section of our graduate CV template, on top of your college and school grades. Professional qualifications might be limited at this stage in your career but make sure to shout about things like IT proficiency, a second language or first-aid training.

 

core skills

Your core skills should relate to the world of work and the role for which you’re applying. If you’re putting together a graduate technical CV, for example, it makes sense to prioritise your skills with particular technologies.

 

references

You don’t actually have to include references on your CV. But it’s worth having a couple of options in mind and adding a statement such as ‘references available on request’ to give an employer the option.

 

contact details

Finally, add your email address and telephone number. It could be worth creating a new email if yours is a little unprofessional! It’s helpful to add your address or the area in which you live, too.