What do I put on a CV if I have never had a job?

Use school, work experience, volunteering, clubs, sports and things like helping to look after family. Say what you did and what you learned from it.

Should I list all my GCSEs?

List the main ones, especially maths and English, and group the rest, for example 'and six other GCSEs'. Give the grades you are happy with.

How long should a school leaver CV be?

One page is plenty. Keep it simple, clear and easy to read.

I am not confident writing about myself. What can I do?

Ceev writes a CV from your own answers, typed or spoken, and shows a free preview before you decide whether to pay.

School leaver CV example

A strong school leaver CV puts your GCSEs, A levels or college course, work experience and reliability up front, and shows what you have done outside lessons. Employers hiring school leavers know you have little job history, so they look for effort, good attendance and a willingness to learn.

Leah Morgan

School leaver

Profile

Reliable school leaver with GCSEs including maths and English and A levels in Business and Geography, looking for a trainee role in retail. Has worked Saturdays at a family-run greengrocer for over a year and completed a week of work experience at a garden centre. Polite with customers, quick to learn and happy to work weekends and school holidays.

Experience

Weekend Assistant

a family-run greengrocer

Served customers at the counter and till, taking payments and giving change

Weighed and priced loose fruit and vegetables and kept the display fresh and full

Helped the owner open the shop on Saturday mornings and set out the stock

Learned the names and prices of the main stock quickly and answered customer questions politely

Asked a colleague for help when unsure, rather than guessing

Work Experience Placement

a local garden centre

Watered and tidied plant displays and helped customers carry items to their cars

Shadowed staff on the till and learned how to scan items and handle card payments

Helped with a stock count by checking and recording stock on a tablet

Arrived early every day and was asked by the manager to come back for extra days over the summer

Example · fictional candidate · Riviera design · Use this design

Tips for a school leaver CV

Put your education near the top, with GCSE subjects and grades and any A levels or college courses you have taken or are taking
Use work experience, weekend jobs, volunteering, clubs and school roles such as prefect or peer mentor to show what you can do
Say when you can work, including evenings, weekends and school holidays
Use a sensible email address, such as your name, rather than a nickname
Keep it to one page, with short, clear points
Ask a teacher, tutor or work experience manager to be your reference before you apply

Applying with a cover letter? See our school leaver cover letter example.