Graduate CV Example
A graduate CV presents your academic achievements, transferable skills, and any work experience to help you secure your first professional role after university.
Recommended template: ClassicPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Lead with your degree and academic achievements since you may have limited work experience.
- Include relevant university projects, dissertations, or group work that demonstrate practical skills.
- Highlight any extracurricular activities, volunteering, or society leadership roles.
- Tailor each application to the specific graduate scheme or entry-level position.
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Start with the Classic template and customise it for your graduate role.
Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Graduate CV
A graduate CV needs to convince employers that you have the potential to succeed in a professional role, even if your work experience is limited. The key is to present your academic achievements, transferable skills, and any practical experience in a way that aligns with the requirements of the position you are applying for. Focus on demonstrating what you can bring to an organisation rather than listing everything you have done.
CV Structure
Place your education section near the top of your CV, as your degree is your strongest credential at this stage. Follow it with any work experience, then a skills section. Include a brief personal profile at the very top summarising who you are and what you are looking for. If you have relevant university projects or a strong dissertation, consider creating a dedicated section for these. Keep the document to one page unless you have substantial placement or internship experience.
CV Format
Choose a clean, modern template that is easy to read and does not rely heavily on graphics or colour. Use consistent headings, bullet points, and spacing throughout. Avoid cramming too much onto one page — white space makes your CV more readable. Save the document as a PDF when submitting applications to preserve formatting across different devices.
CV Profile Examples
Recent Graduate
Ambitious graduate with a 2:1 in English Literature from the University of Leeds, bringing strong analytical, research, and written communication skills developed through three years of academic study. Experienced in meeting tight deadlines and presenting complex arguments clearly. Eager to apply transferable skills in a fast-paced professional environment.
Graduate with Part-Time Experience
Motivated graduate with a first-class degree in Sociology from the University of Bristol, combining academic excellence with two years of part-time retail experience. Skilled at working under pressure, collaborating with diverse teams, and communicating effectively with customers and colleagues. Seeking an entry-level position to launch a career in the public sector.
Career-Focused Graduate
Resourceful and self-driven graduate with a 2:1 in Politics and International Relations from the University of Exeter. Developed strong research and critical thinking skills through independent study and a 12,000-word dissertation on UK foreign policy. Actively seeking a graduate scheme in government, policy, or communications.
Write a concise three-sentence profile that states your degree, university, and classification, followed by your strongest transferable skills and your career objective. Avoid vague statements and focus on what makes you a strong candidate for the specific type of role you are targeting.
Key Skills for Your Graduate CV
Academic Research
Conducting systematic literature reviews and primary research using academic databases and credible sources.
Critical Thinking
Evaluating evidence, identifying assumptions, and constructing well-reasoned arguments on complex topics.
Written Communication
Producing clear, structured, and persuasive written work including essays, reports, and presentations.
Teamwork
Collaborating effectively with peers on group projects, presentations, and extracurricular activities.
Time Management
Balancing academic deadlines, part-time work, and extracurricular commitments through effective planning.
Microsoft Office Suite
Using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for document creation, data handling, and professional communication.
Presentation Skills
Delivering confident oral presentations to academic and non-academic audiences using visual aids.
Problem Solving
Approaching unfamiliar challenges methodically and developing practical solutions under time constraints.
Adaptability
Adjusting quickly to new environments, tasks, and expectations in both academic and workplace settings.
Work Experience Examples
Include all relevant experience, whether paid or voluntary. For each role, provide a brief context line followed by four to five responsibilities and one to two achievements. Use action verbs and quantify your impact where possible. Even part-time or casual work demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and transferable skills that employers value.
Student Ambassador
University of Leeds
Represented the university at open days, campus tours, and applicant visit days, engaging with prospective students and their families.
Responsibilities
- Led campus tours for groups of up to 30 prospective students and parents, answering questions about academic life and student services.
- Assisted at university open days by staffing information stands and distributing faculty-specific literature.
- Supported the admissions team during clearing by handling telephone enquiries and directing callers to the correct departments.
- Created social media content for the student recruitment team highlighting campus events and student life.
Achievements
- Received positive feedback from 95% of tour attendees in post-visit surveys over two consecutive recruitment cycles.
- Trained four new student ambassadors on tour delivery and public speaking techniques.
Sales Assistant
Waterstones Booksellers
Provided customer service in a busy city-centre bookshop, assisting customers with recommendations and managing stock across multiple departments.
Responsibilities
- Served customers at the till, processed returns and exchanges, and handled cash and card payments accurately.
- Replenished shelving displays and organised promotional tables for new releases and seasonal campaigns.
- Responded to customer enquiries in person and by telephone, sourcing titles and placing special orders.
- Assisted with stock-takes and deliveries, checking goods in and updating the inventory system.
Achievements
- Achieved the highest customer satisfaction scores in the team for three consecutive months based on mystery shopper feedback.
- Contributed to a 12% increase in loyalty card sign-ups during the Christmas trading period through proactive engagement.
Education & Qualifications
List your degree first, including the university, dates, classification, and any relevant modules or dissertation topics. Follow with A-levels and GCSEs, noting grades for Maths and English. If you achieved a first-class degree or received academic prizes, make sure these are prominently displayed.
Bachelor's Degree
An undergraduate degree demonstrating subject knowledge, independent study skills, and academic discipline.
A-Levels
Advanced-level qualifications providing the academic foundation for university entry and demonstrating subject specialisation.
GCSEs
General secondary education qualifications, with Maths and English at grade C/4 or above expected by most employers.
Driving Licence
A full UK driving licence is valued by many employers, particularly for roles requiring travel or site visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a graduate CV be?
Should I include part-time work on my graduate CV?
How do I write a personal profile for a graduate CV?
What if I have no work experience at all?
More Graduate CV Examples
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Business Management Graduate CV
A business management graduate CV demonstrates your understanding of business operations, strategy, and leadership potential for graduate schemes and entry-level management roles.
Chemistry Graduate CV
A chemistry graduate CV presents your analytical skills, laboratory competencies, and scientific knowledge for roles in research, pharmaceuticals, or chemical industry.
Criminology Graduate CV
A criminology graduate CV showcases your understanding of criminal justice systems, research skills, and analytical capabilities for careers in policing, probation, or social research.
Economics Graduate CV
An economics graduate CV demonstrates your analytical and quantitative skills, economic modelling abilities, and understanding of market dynamics for finance, consulting, or policy roles.
Engineering Graduate CV
An engineering graduate CV presents your technical education, project work, and practical skills for securing graduate engineering positions across all disciplines.