How to Write a CV With No Work Experience (Matric and Graduates)

You have more experience than you think

Employers hiring for entry-level jobs do not expect a long work history. They want to see that you are reliable, can learn and can work with people. You can show all three without ever having had a formal job.

What you can include instead

• Your Matric results, especially subjects related to the job.
• School leadership, such as being a prefect, class representative or team captain.
• Volunteering at a church, clinic, community project or school event.
• Informal work, such as helping in a family business, selling goods or tutoring.
• Learnerships, internships, job shadowing and short courses.
• Projects from school or college, and computer skills.

Lead with a clear summary

Write two or three lines saying what you have studied, what you are good at and the kind of work you want. For example: "Motivated school leaver with a National Senior Certificate and strong maths results, looking for a first role in retail. Experienced in handling cash and serving customers at a family business."

Put your strengths first

With little work history, put Education before Experience, then add Projects and Volunteering. Describe each one the way you would describe a job: what you did and what came of it.