7 Perfect CV Examples for a First Job in the UK [2026]

Crafting your first CV can feel daunting, but the key is to strategically showcase your potential even without extensive experience. For UK job seekers, the best approach is focusing on transferable skills from school or volunteering, highlighting relevant qualifications like GCSEs or A-Levels, and structuring it all in a clean, Applicant Tracking System (ATS) friendly format. This guide provides actionable cv examples for a first job in the UK, showing you how to translate your unique background into a compelling document for roles in retail, administration, and other entry-level positions. We will break down what makes each example effective and help you secure that crucial first interview in 2026.

This article offers more than just templates; it provides a strategic blueprint. You will learn how to tailor your CV to specific job descriptions, highlight your most relevant qualifications, and articulate your value to a potential employer. For many first-time job seekers, the primary challenge is building a strong resume with no work experience that still grabs a recruiter's attention. The examples below are designed to solve that exact problem. Each one comes with a downloadable template, expert annotations, and practical do's and don'ts, empowering you to start your job search with confidence.

1. CV Example 1: The Retail Assistant (No Experience)

Landing your first retail job without prior paid experience can feel like a catch-22, but a well-crafted CV can bridge that gap. This is one of the most common cv examples for a first job because it demonstrates how to translate non-work activities into valuable, job-relevant skills. The key is to showcase potential and transferability.

This example is specifically designed for a school-leaver or student who needs to prove they have the core competencies for a customer-facing role, even without a formal employment history. Instead of a "Work Experience" section, the focus shifts to areas like "Voluntary Work," "School Projects," or "Personal Achievements." This strategic reframing allows you to highlight responsibility, teamwork, and a customer-focused attitude.

Strategic Breakdown

The power of this CV lies in its ability to quantify achievements from school or extracurriculars. It repositions academic and personal projects into compelling evidence of your work ethic and capabilities.

Key Strategy: The candidate translates "Organised a school charity bake sale" into specific, measurable skills. They don't just state the activity; they detail the outcomes and the skills used, such as "Event Coordination," "Cash Handling," and "Fundraising," backed by the tangible result of "raised £200 for charity."

This approach directly addresses a hiring manager's primary concerns: Can this person be trusted? Are they reliable? Can they interact positively with customers? By showcasing these transferable skills, you provide concrete answers.

Actionable Takeaways & Template

• Reframe Your Experience: Brainstorm school projects, club activities, or personal hobbies. For each one, list the skills you used. Did you manage a small budget for a school play? That's financial responsibility. Did you collaborate on a group presentation? That's teamwork and communication.
• Focus on Soft Skills: Retail is built on soft skills. Highlight dependability, a positive attitude, communication, and problem-solving in a dedicated "Key Skills" section.
• Download the Template: Use our downloadable template to structure your own achievements. It's designed to be ATS-friendly and helps you focus on what truly matters to a retail hiring manager.

Download the Retail Assistant (No Experience) CV Template Here

2. Prospects

Prospects is a university-backed UK careers service offering some of the best cv examples for a first job available, specifically tailored for school-leavers and graduates. It's an invaluable resource because it provides clear, ready-to-adapt templates that follow UK conventions, including a dedicated example for a 16-year-old with absolutely no work history. The guidance is practical, official, and trusted by educational institutions across the country.

This platform excels at showing you how to build a CV from the ground up when you have limited experience. Instead of just giving you a template, it explains the why behind each section, from crafting a compelling personal statement to phrasing your skills. It offers specific examples, such as a skills-based (or functional) CV, which is a powerful tool for shifting focus away from a sparse work history and onto your core abilities.

Strategic Breakdown

The strength of Prospects' examples lies in their official, UK-centric approach. They guide you on correct formatting, appropriate tone, and the kind of language that resonates with British employers and passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). This removes the guesswork often involved when using generic international templates.

Key Strategy: The platform champions the skills-based CV format. This strategic choice allows candidates to lead with a powerful "Skills" section, immediately showcasing competencies like "Communication," "Teamwork," and "IT Literacy" before an employer even looks for a "Work Experience" section.

This method directly addresses the main challenge for first-time job seekers: proving your value without a traditional career path. By following their structure, you present your potential as your primary asset, a tactic that is particularly effective for graduate roles and apprenticeships. The accompanying guides on CV writing also help you tailor this content effectively, a crucial step for any recent graduate.

Actionable Takeaways & Template

• Copy and Adapt: While there are no direct download links, you can easily copy the text from their example CVs into a Word or Google Doc. Use their structure as a robust foundation for your own information.
• Study the Language: Pay close attention to the action verbs and professional phrasing used in their personal statements and skills sections. This is a free masterclass in UK-specific professional writing.
• Utilise Linked Guides: Don't just look at the example CV. Click through to their guides on how to write a CV and personal statements to get a complete picture of how to adapt the template for the specific job you want.

View the School-Leaver CV Example on Prospects.ac.uk

3. Reed Career Advice

As one of the UK's largest job boards, Reed offers a Career Advice hub that is a goldmine for anyone needing CV templates for a first job. Its strength lies in providing free, downloadable Word templates tailored specifically to the UK job market, covering school-leavers, graduates, and those needing a skills-based format. This makes it an invaluable resource for creating a CV that meets local recruiter expectations.

The platform provides practical, step-by-step guidance alongside each template, which is ideal for building a CV from scratch. Instead of just giving you a document, Reed explains the "why" behind each section, helping you understand how to best present your skills and limited experience in a format that hiring managers will find familiar and easy to read.

Strategic Breakdown

Reed's power comes from its direct link to the UK job market. The templates are not generic; they are designed based on feedback and expectations from the thousands of recruiters using the Reed platform. This gives first-time job seekers a significant advantage.

Key Strategy: The platform demystifies the process by providing structured templates for specific entry-level situations. For example, their school-leaver template prioritises education, key skills, and hobbies over a non-existent work history, guiding you to fill the most relevant sections first.

This approach ensures you focus on what matters most to a UK employer reviewing applications from candidates with no formal work history. It shifts the emphasis from what you lack (experience) to what you have (potential, skills, and qualifications). For a deeper dive into structuring your document, our guide on how to write a CV for a job application offers further insights.

Actionable Takeaways & Template

• Choose the Right Template: Start by selecting the template that best fits your situation: "school-leaver" for GCSE/A-Level leavers, "graduate" for university leavers, or "skills-based" if you want to highlight transferable abilities over a chronological history.
• Follow the Guidance: Read the accompanying article for each template. It contains crucial tips on what to write in each section, from the personal profile to your interests.
• Customise for Impact: While the templates are excellent, don't be afraid to add a touch of personal branding. Adjust fonts and add a subtle colour accent to the headings to make your CV stand out from other applicants using the same format.

Download the Reed School-Leaver CV Template Here

4. Indeed UK (Career Advice + CV Builder)

Indeed UK is more than just a job board; it's an all-in-one resource that provides both the guidance and the tools to create a compelling CV. Their career advice section offers some of the most practical examples for a first job, specifically designed for UK applicants with little to no formal work history. This platform excels by integrating advice with a free, functional CV builder.

The real advantage is the seamless workflow: you can read expert advice, build your CV using their templates, and then immediately apply for jobs listed on their vast platform. This removes the friction of switching between different tools and websites. The guidance prioritises what first-time job seekers have in abundance, such as education, volunteering, and transferable skills, showing you how to frame them for maximum impact.

Strategic Breakdown

Indeed's power lies in its direct integration with one of the UK's largest job markets. The platform is built to get your CV in front of recruiters quickly, and its builder is optimised for the very systems those recruiters use. The advice is practical and grounded in real-world application.

Key Strategy: The platform's free CV builder prompts users to fill in sections that hiring managers expect to see. By following its step-by-step process, you are naturally guided to highlight transferable skills from academic projects or voluntary roles, ensuring your CV is structured logically and contains relevant information, even without a formal employment section.

This approach demystifies the CV writing process. Instead of starting with a blank page, you have a clear framework that encourages you to think like a recruiter and present your potential effectively.

Actionable Takeaways & Template

• Use the Integrated System: Build your CV directly on Indeed and apply for a few entry-level roles. This allows you to test its effectiveness in real-time and see which parts of your CV get the most attention from employers on the platform.
• Focus on Skill-Based Sections: Leverage the builder's prompts to detail skills gained during your education or hobbies. If you're struggling to frame this, learning how to write a CV for work experience can provide additional valuable insights.
• Download and Adapt: Once you create your CV on Indeed, you can download it as a PDF. This allows you to use your well-structured, ATS-friendly document for applications on other platforms as well.

Go to the Indeed UK CV Builder and Career Advice Section

5. UCAS Careers (including UCAS CV Builder)

For UK-based students and school-leavers, UCAS is an authoritative and essential resource for navigating higher education and early career steps. Their guidance on creating your first CV is specifically tailored to the UK job market, making it an excellent starting point for anyone unfamiliar with application norms. It provides some of the best advice for a first job CV by focusing on how to structure a document when you have limited professional history.

The platform is designed for the 16-24 age group, offering clear, step-by-step advice on everything from formatting to content. The integrated UCAS CV Builder is a practical tool that guides you through each section, ensuring you include the most relevant information for apprenticeships, entry-level roles, or university applications. This focus on foundational skills makes it a trusted first port of call.

Strategic Breakdown

The strength of the UCAS approach is its emphasis on simplicity and relevance, which is crucial for passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). The advice steers clear of overly complex designs, prioritising a clean, professional layout that allows your skills and potential to shine through.

Key Strategy: UCAS guides users to build a CV section-by-section, with a strong focus on the personal statement. It encourages you to articulate your career goals and motivations clearly, which is vital when you don't have extensive work experience to rely on.

This method helps you build a narrative around your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and voluntary work, directly aligning your potential with what UK employers look for in junior candidates. The guidance ensures your CV is not just a list of facts but a compelling argument for why you are the right fit for the role.

Actionable Takeaways & Template

• Use the CV Builder: To access the builder, you'll need a UCAS Hub account (which is free to create). This tool provides a structured framework, preventing you from missing key sections.
• Perfect Your Personal Statement: Your personal statement is your primary tool for making a strong first impression. Follow their advice on keeping it concise and impactful. If you need more detailed guidance, understanding how to write a personal statement is a crucial skill.
• Focus on UK Conventions: Pay close attention to advice on CV length (ideally one page for a first CV), formatting, and what information to include or omit, ensuring your application meets local expectations.

Go to the UCAS Careers CV Guide Here

6. National Careers Service

Before you even start looking at specific cv examples for a first job, it's crucial to understand the fundamental principles of what UK employers expect. The National Careers Service, a UK Government platform, is the definitive resource for this foundational knowledge. It doesn't offer flashy templates but provides authoritative, clear-cut guidance on CV content, structure, and best practices.

This service is designed to be the official starting point for anyone writing a CV in the UK. It walks you through every section, from personal statements to hobbies, explaining what to include and why it matters to recruiters. By grounding your CV in these official standards, you ensure it meets the baseline expectations of hiring managers before you start tailoring it to specific roles.

Strategic Breakdown

The power of the National Careers Service lies in its authority and focus on substance over style. It teaches you the "what" and "why" behind CV writing, which is more valuable long-term than simply copying a template. This ensures your CV is not just well-designed but also strategically sound.

Key Strategy: The platform encourages a content-first approach. It advises you to gather all your information, understand the purpose of each CV section, and write the content before worrying about formatting. This prevents the common mistake of trying to force your experiences into a pre-designed template that might not suit your profile.

This approach ensures your CV is built on a solid foundation of well-articulated skills and experiences. It directly addresses a hiring manager's need for clear, relevant information, making your application more likely to pass the initial screening, even if you have no formal work history. Learn more about how to construct a compelling CV with limited experience by reading our guide on how to write a resume with no experience.

Actionable Takeaways & Template

• Build Your Content Blueprint: Use their step-by-step guides to create a master document containing all your skills, qualifications, and experiences (including volunteering and school projects). This becomes your source material for every tailored CV you create.
• Master the 'Why': Don't just list your duties; use their advice to explain your achievements and the value you brought. For example, instead of "Served customers," their guidance helps you frame it as "Provided excellent customer service by resolving queries and handling transactions."
• Use Their Resources: The site provides direct links to find volunteering and work experience opportunities, helping you proactively fill gaps in your first CV.

Access the National Careers Service CV Guidance Here

7. Canva: The Design-Led CV Builder

Canva is a powerful online design tool that has become a go-to for creating a visually appealing CV, even with zero design experience. It offers hundreds of templates, making it a fantastic resource when looking for a modern CV for a first job. Its strength lies in transforming a standard text document into a professional, polished CV that stands out.

This platform is ideal for first-time job seekers who have their content ready but want to present it in a clean, modern format. The drag-and-drop editor allows for easy customisation of fonts, colours, and layouts. While many creative templates exist, Canva also provides a wide range of simple, professional layouts that are designed to be ATS-friendly, which is crucial for getting your first job application past initial screening software.

Strategic Breakdown

Canva's main advantage is speed and professional polish without needing design skills. It helps you focus on the content while it handles the presentation, ensuring your first impression is a strong one. However, the key is to choose the right template for the job.

Key Strategy: The platform's real power for a first-job applicant isn't the flashy, graphic-heavy designs. It's the ability to quickly apply a clean, two-column layout or a minimalist single-column format that enhances readability. Using a simple template ensures that your skills and achievements are the hero, not the design itself.

A well-chosen Canva template can guide a recruiter's eye to the most important sections, like your "Key Skills" or "Voluntary Experience," which are vital when you have no formal work history. The free tier is extensive, offering everything you need to create and download a high-quality PDF.

Actionable Takeaways & Template Access

• Choose Wisely: Stick to simple, professional templates. Avoid designs with complex graphics, text boxes, or columns that might confuse ATS scanners. Look for layouts titled "Minimalist," "Modern," or "Corporate."
• Use AI Sparingly: Canva's "Magic Write" AI can help you rephrase bullet points or write a professional summary. Use it for inspiration, but always edit the output to ensure it sounds authentic and accurately reflects your skills.
• Access the Templates: Explore Canva's vast library to find a starting point. You can filter by style and colour to match your personal brand or the industry you are targeting.

Explore Canva's CV Templates Here

Top 7 First-Job CV Resources Compared

Your Next Steps to Landing That First Job

You now have a clear blueprint and a powerful toolkit featuring top-tier cv examples for a first job in the UK that applicants can use to create a standout application. We've analysed examples from a range of roles, from marketing to software development, demonstrating that the core principles for success are consistent across all industries. The journey from academic life to a professional career is a significant one, and your CV is the bridge that gets you there.

Remember, the most effective CVs move beyond simply listing duties. They tell a compelling story about your potential, your skills, and the value you can bring to an organisation. By implementing the strategies we've discussed, you're not just filling out a template; you're building a strategic marketing document for your career.

Key Takeaways and Actionable Strategies

To consolidate what you've learned, let's recap the most crucial takeaways. These are the non-negotiables for crafting a CV that gets results.

• Tailoring is paramount: A generic CV is a forgotten CV. Always adapt your professional summary, skills section, and experience bullet points to mirror the language and priorities listed in the job description.
• Quantify your impact: Instead of saying you "helped with a project," specify that you "Contributed to a team project that improved process efficiency by 15%." Numbers provide concrete evidence of your capabilities.
• Leverage all experience: Internships, volunteer work, university projects, and even part-time retail jobs are rich sources of transferable skills. Focus on highlighting communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
• ATS is your first hurdle: Ensure your CV is optimised for Applicant Tracking Systems by using standard section headings, a clean format, and relevant keywords from the job specification. This is a critical step before a human even sees your application.

Choosing the Right Tool for Your CV

The tools we've explored, from the National Careers Service to Canva, each offer unique benefits. Your choice depends on your specific needs and confidence level.

• For structured guidance: Platforms like UCAS, Prospects, and the National Careers Service are excellent for understanding foundational CV principles and accessing reliable, government-backed advice.
• For design and visual appeal: If you're entering a creative field, a tool like Canva gives you the flexibility to build a visually engaging CV that showcases your design sense (while still adhering to professional standards).
• For all-in-one job seeking: Tools like Indeed UK and Reed integrate their CV builders directly with their job boards, streamlining the application process significantly.

By leveraging these resources and the detailed advice provided, you are positioning yourself for success. Your lack of formal experience is not a weakness; it's an opportunity to highlight your potential, adaptability, and fresh perspective. You have the skills and the drive, and now you have the strategic framework to prove it.

Ready to take the guesswork out of CV writing and create a professional, ATS-friendly document in minutes? The templates and advice in this article provide a fantastic starting point, but CV Anywhere streamlines the entire process with intelligent builders and expert-approved designs. Build your perfect first-job CV today and start your career with confidence by visiting CV Anywhere.