Should my degree go above or below my work experience?

For most graduates, education near the top makes sense, especially if your degree and any placement are your strongest, most relevant experience.

What if my degree is not directly related to the job?

Focus on transferable skills such as research, analysis, communication and project work, which apply across many graduate roles.

Should I include part-time jobs from during my degree?

Yes, they show reliability and the ability to manage multiple commitments, which is worth including even if the role itself is unrelated.

Graduate CV example

A strong graduate CV leads with your degree and relevant coursework or projects, then draws on placements, part-time work and extracurricular activities to show transferable skills. Employers hiring graduates look for evidence of initiative, teamwork and the ability to apply what you learned in practice.

Profile

Recent business graduate with experience gained through a university placement year and part-time work throughout study. Comfortable working with data, presenting findings and collaborating on group projects. Looking to bring strong analytical and communication skills to an entry-level role.

Experience

Placement Student

a marketing team

Supported the marketing team with research and reporting during a year-long placement

Analysed customer feedback data and presented findings to the wider team

Assisted with planning and coordinating a small marketing campaign

Collaborated with colleagues across departments on cross-functional projects

Sales Assistant (part-time

alongside study)

Provided customer service and till support during evening and weekend shifts

Balanced part-time work with a full-time degree, maintaining consistent attendance

Supported colleagues during busy trading periods, including seasonal sales

Trained new starters on till procedures and store policies

Example · fictional candidate · Harbour design · Use this design

Tips for a graduate CV

Lead with your degree, including classification if awarded, and relevant modules or a dissertation topic
Include a placement year or internship in detail if you have one, since this often carries real weight
Mention group projects or societies that show teamwork and initiative
Balance academic achievement with any part-time work, showing you can manage multiple commitments
Keep the personal statement focused on the type of graduate role you are looking for

Applying with a cover letter? See our graduate cover letter example.