How to Write a CV With No Experience

A layout that works without experience

1. Contact details
2. A short summary saying what you are looking for
3. Education (most recent first)
4. Experience — anything where you had responsibility
5. Skills
6. Languages and references

What counts as experience

You can include anything real where you had a responsibility. For example:

• Helping in a family shop, farm or business
• Prefect, class representative or club leader roles
• Church, mosque or community volunteering
• Tutoring or caring for younger children
• Selling products online or running a small side business
• Sports teams, choirs, drama or debate — especially if you organised something

Give each one a title, where it was, dates, and one or two lines about what you did. “Served customers and handled mobile money payments in my family's shop every weekend” is real, relevant experience.

Make education work harder

• List your most recent school or course with dates.
• Include results if they help (for example WASSCE subjects and grades for a first job).
• Mention subjects, projects or awards that relate to the job.

Write a summary that says what you want

With little experience, your summary should be honest and specific: who you are, one or two strengths, and the kind of job you want.

“Recent senior high school graduate with weekend experience serving customers in a family shop. Friendly, punctual and good with numbers. Looking for a full-time retail or reception role.”

Skills worth listing

• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, email)
• Cash and mobile money handling
• Languages you speak
• Online certificates you have completed

Keep it short and clean

One page is plenty. Use a simple template, no photo unless asked, and check spelling carefully. A short, tidy, honest CV makes a better impression than a long one padded with filler.

See the full school leaver CV example →