You’re about to apply for your first real job, but you have no idea where to start with your CV. But then you realize that you’ve never actually worked anywhere before. It’s basically empty. So you’re sitting there thinking, “Am I even supposed to send this? Will they just throw it away because I have no experience?”
Here’s the thing though, they won’t. Employers know what they’re looking at when they get a CV from someone applying for their first role. They’re not expecting you to have ten years on the job. What they are looking for is something completely different, and once you know what that is, you can actually build a CV that works.That’s what we’re doing in this guide.
Key Takeaways
- A first job CV doesn’t need work experience. Focus on education, skills, and what you’ve actually done instead.
- Your CV is your chance to show employers you’re reliable and eager, even if you’re starting from zero.
- Keep it simple, one page, honest, employers hiring first-timers know exactly what to expect.
What Should a First Job CV Include?
Writing your first CV for entry-level jobs is going to look different from what you usually see online. That’s because you’re not competing with someone who has five years of experience. You’re competing with other beginners applying for the same entry-level or remote jobs. So naturally, your CV won’t look like that of an experienced professional.
At this stage, your education carries more weight. Your school, your results, what you studied all matter because they show you can learn and that you’re qualified for the role. This is especially important when applying for entry-level jobs or trying to land your first remote job.
Include any relevant skills. It doesn’t matter if you learned them in school, through online courses, or by practicing on your own. If they can help you do the job, they count. After that, include volunteer work, internships, or personal projects. These are what help you stand out, even without formal work experience.
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Image Description: 7 Steps to Write a CV for Your First Job
How to Write a CV for Your First Job
Here are seven simple steps to writing your first CV:
1. Create a header with your contact information Your header goes at the very top of the page. Put your full name, phone number, email address, and your city. This is the first thing an employer sees, so make it clean and easy to read.
2. Write a career objective Your career objective is a short two to three sentence paragraph that sits right below your contact information. It tells the employer who you are, what role you’re going for, and what value you bring. Keep it focused on what you can do for them, not just what you want. This section matters a lot for fresh graduates in Nigeria because it’s your first chance to make an impression.
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3. Detail your education Since you don’t have much work experience yet, your education is your strongest section. List it in reverse order, starting with your most recent qualification first. Include:
- Your degree or diploma and your grade or CGPA
- The name of your school and your graduation year
- Any relevant courses, projects, or dissertations worth mentioning
- Your NYSC details if you have completed or are currently serving
4. Show what you’ve done instead of work experience You may not have a traditional job history yet, and that’s okay. Use this section to show anything you’ve actually done that relates to the role. This includes:
- Internships
- Volunteer work
- Freelance or personal projects
- School-based projects or competitions
- Any online work or content you’ve created
For each one, include your role, where you did it, the dates, and two to three short lines explaining what you did and what you achieved.
5. List your relevant skills Write down skills that are actually relevant to the job you’re applying for. Think about both hard skills like software tools, languages, or certifications, and soft skills like communication, teamwork, or problem solving. If you’re applying for remote jobs in Nigeria with no experience, skills like digital literacy, time management, and written communication carry serious weight.
6. Add extra sections to strengthen your CV Just because you’re a first-timer doesn’t mean your CV has to look empty. Use extra sections to show everything relevant you’ve accomplished. You can include:
- Awards and academic honors
- Online certifications (Google, HubSpot, Coursera, etc.)
- Extracurricular activities or leadership roles
- Community service or NGO involvement
- Personal projects or a portfolio link
- Social media presence if it’s relevant to the role
7. Add your personal interests (optional) You can close your CV with a short line or two about your interests or hobbies. Keep it relevant where possible. It helps the hiring manager see you as a real person, not just a piece of paper and sometimes it’s the thing that starts a conversation in an interview.
CV Template for Your First Job
Use this as your guide. Just fill in your own details where you see the brackets.
[Your Full Name] [Your phone number] | [Your email address] | [Your city, Nigeria]
Personal Statement [Write two to three sentences about who you are, what role you’re looking for, and what you bring to the table, even as a first-timer]
Education [Your qualification — e.g. B.Sc, HND, OND] | [Year of graduation] [Name of your school] [Your grade or CGPA if it’s strong]
Skills [Skill 1 — e.g. Microsoft Excel] [Skill 2 — e.g. Written and verbal communication] [Skill 3 e.g. Time management] [Skill 4 — e.g. Any relevant software or tool]
Internships / Volunteer Work / Projects [Your role or title] | [Dates] [Organization or project name] | [City, Nigeria] [One or two lines on what you actually did and what you achieved]Awards & Achievements [Name of award or achievement] | [Year] [Where you received it — school, organization, competition]
CV Example for a First-Time Job Seeker (Social Media Manager)
Chisom Adeyemi 08134567890 | chisom.adeyemi@gmail.com | Lagos, Nigeria
Career Objective Ambitious recent graduate with strong social media and digital marketing skills seeking a social media manager or marketing assistant role. Proven ability to create engaging content and build online communities. Ready to help brands grow their digital presence and connect with their audience.
Education B.Sc Mass Communication | 2023 University of Lagos
NYSC | 2024 Served at Zenith Media Solutions, Lagos Supported social media campaigns and content creation for multiple client accounts
Skills Social media management (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok) Content creation and copywriting Canva and basic graphic design Google Analytics Time management and attention to detail Customer engagement and communication
Internships / Volunteer Work / Projects Social Media Intern | June 2022 — August 2022 Sterling Digital Agency | Lagos, Nigeria Created and scheduled 50-plus social media posts across multiple platforms Increased client Instagram engagement by 35 percent through targeted content strategy Managed customer inquiries and responded to comments within 24 hours
Awards & Achievements Best Graduating Student, Department of Mass Communication | 2023 University of Lagos
Content Creator for AIESEC University of Lagos | 2021 — 2023 Managed social channels reaching 5,000-plus followers organically
