You can prepare a CV before you have a formal work history. Focus on your education, relevant learning, projects and responsibilities that give evidence of your skills. Keep the distinction between employment, volunteering and school activities clear.
What to include
In the CV builder, choose the first-job option to leave out the work-experience section. Add your latest completed grade or qualification accurately, then describe a school project, community activity or practical task that is relevant to the opportunity. An unfinished qualification should be described as in progress, not completed.
Profile example to adapt
Applicant seeking a [first-job role or learnership]. Through [real school, home, project or volunteer activity], I developed [specific skill]. Interested in learning about [relevant area] and contributing through [a strength you can explain with an example].
Replace the bracketed text with true details. Remove any sentence that does not describe your experience.
Skills to consider
Choose the skills you can demonstrate. This list is a prompt, not a claim that you hold every skill.
- Communication with a practical example
- Working with others on a project
- Basic computer tasks you have performed
- Organising a school or community activity
- Following instructions
Examples of duties or activities
Use only examples that match something you have actually done. Add the setting and dates in the relevant section.
- Worked with [group] on [actual project] and was responsible for [your part].
- Helped organise [real activity], including [specific task you completed].
- Used [tool] to create [document, presentation or project] during [course or activity].
Check before applying
- Do not add a fictional employer to fill an empty experience section.
- Use the grade and results you actually achieved; follow the advert for required supporting documents.
- Replace general qualities with one short, truthful example from your own activities.
- Check the opportunity’s application instructions separately; downloading a CV is not an application.
Put your own CV together
The free Work-Force builder has sections for your details, profile, experience, education and skills. You can preview the CV and use your browser’s print window to save a text-based PDF. No account is needed to build or download it.
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What can I put on a CV with no work experience?
Use education, relevant learning, school projects, volunteering and responsibilities you can explain. Select the builder’s first-job option to leave out the employment section.
Can I use this CV for a learnership?
Yes. Adapt your profile and skills to the learnership, state your actual education or grade, and follow its application instructions. A CV example does not establish eligibility or submit an application.