When in Doubt, Focus on Skills! Check Out Our Graduate CV Template
When creating a graduate CV template, bear in mind that you have an edge in qualifications, which could help you bridge the experience gap. The idea behind a CV is to allow an employer to analyse your background and experience to determine your suitability for a role. A significant proportion of graduate recruiters in Ireland ask for a CV and cover letter. Let’s find out more about the right structure and format.
Let´s dive in:
How should a fresh graduate write a cv?
How do you structure a graduate cv?
Structure and format of a cv
Graduate Cv tips
What do you write in a personal profile on a cv?
Graduate Cv Template
How Should a Fresh Graduate Write a CV?
While it may not be a case of ‘content is king’ when it comes to writing your CV is at least a Duke! Your goal is to clearly illustrate and communicate your skills, experience, and qualifications to the reader. As each CV must be tailored to the role in question, you could have to make changes to the outline and content. For instance, a skills-based CV might work better if you don’t have much experience.
Remember, hiring managers scan your application first. As a result, you need to layout your CV in an easy to read fashion. This means bullet points, headings, and subheadings. Use action words such as organised, managed, and developed. Get another pair of eyes to check your application for spelling and grammatical errors.
How do you Structure a Graduate CV?
You may get told that there is no wrong way to structure a CV. Don’t believe everything you read! Whether you like it or not, recruiters prefer the tried and trusted structures that are already in place. Today, we are going to focus on the skills-based CV rather than the chronological version that is more common. The reason is that graduates tend to have less work experience to draw upon.
Structure and Format of a CV
As the name suggests, a skills-based CV places the emphasis on your transferable skills instead of employment history. It is an excellent option if you have little relevant experience in an industry, wish to change careers, or hope to transform a passion into a job.
Personal Profile
After inputting your personal details, the next step is to provide a concise overview of who you are, what you are seeking, and what you offer the company. Make sure you highlight your strongest, and most relevant skills, in the CV.
Key Skills
Go through the job description and determine the skills sought after by the employer. Try and find five that are a match for what you bring to the table. A good idea is to include bullet points beneath each skill to offer a real-life example of when you used it.
Educational History
If you are a graduate with little work experience, it is okay to add in additional details such as the modules and subjects studied, if they relate to the work.
Work History
The employment section of a skills-based CV is shorter than in its chronological counterpart. If you have written a detailed skills section, keep this one shorter. Make sure you include the job title, dates, achievements, and duties, if possible.
Hobbies and Interests
This is NOT a compulsory section. By all means, include hobbies that show your passion for the industry you’re in, but adding your love of walking probably won’t help your application.
References
Include up to two references if requested. Otherwise, say “references available upon request,” but make sure you have some lined up!
Graduate CV Tips
- Don’t waste space with irrelevant information.
- Add in tangible examples of your achievements if possible.
- Begin with a strong personal profile.
- Outline what you can bring to the company that makes you stand out.
- Always add a cover letter, even when it isn’t explicitly requested.
What Do You Write in a Personal Profile on a CV?
Begin by stating who you are in the form of a brief introduction. It is okay to write the personal profile in any tense, as long as it is consistent! Explain what you can offer the company, and perhaps mention your career goals if relevant to the firm or industry. Although a recruiter usually scans your CV, they invariably read all of the personal profile. Make it count!
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Graduate CV Template
Jimmy Dean
14 Rebel Valley
Dublin
cluerebel1@email.com
0890000000
Personal Profile
A recent graduate from Trinity Business School, Dublin, with attributes and skills to offer to the world of business. These include communication, analytical skills, problem-solving, and leadership. Seeking to leverage a four-year degree to provide financial solutions to FTSE100 firms.
Key Skills
Leadership
- Led a business project in the second year of university.
- The chair of the TCD business society in the final year of the course.
- Assistant manager at McDonald’s. In charge of training new staff and setting rotas.
Problem-Solving
- Determined a critical problem with the project that prevented the group from failing.
- Identified a flaw in the McDonald’s system, which saved the company thousands of euros.
- Drew up a safety program to reduce accidents in the workplace.
Communication
- Dealing with customers at McDonald’s, including the handling of complaints referred by junior staff.
- Gave several business presentations during the university course.
- Wrote a variety of white papers, essays, and reports.
- Introduced speakers as chair of the business society.
- Spent a year studying in Germany as part of an Erasmus exchange; learned German to communicate better with colleagues.
Analytical Skills
- Interpretation of complex financial data.
- Used critical thinking skills to form arguments supported by evidence.
- Utilised quantitative and qualitative skills that are necessary for business in the modern era.
Education
Trinity Business School Dublin (2015 – 2019)
B.A. in Global Business – 2:1
Modules
Quantitative Methods for Business
Principles of Marketing
Business Ethics
Management Experience and Reflection
Social Entrepreneurship
Designing Social Innovation
Financial Reporting and Analysis
Advances in Marketing Theory and Practice
Employment History
Assistant Manager, McDonalds, O’ Connell Street, Dublin (2018 – Present)
Helped provide excellent customer service as part of a committed team.
Organised the staff rotas to ensure there was always sufficient cover.
Upsold the brand’s latest products and services.
Dealt with customer complaints.
Maintained health and safety standards.
Held staff meetings and expressed the concerns of the team to higher management.
References Available Upon Request