How to write a CV for a new graduate?

As a new graduate, crafting a CV involves highlighting your education, relevant skills, internships, and any hands-on experience that shows your readiness for the professional world. Here’s a step-by-step guide to structuring a strong CV as a recent graduate:

1. Start with Contact Information

At the top of your CV, include your:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile (optional)
• Personal website or portfolio link (if relevant)

Example:

Sarah Chen  
Email: sarah.chen@example.com  
Phone: (555) 555-1234  
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahchen  
Portfolio: sarahchenportfolio.com

2. Write a Professional Summary or Objective

Since you’re a recent graduate, a summary or objective statement can introduce you to potential employers. Mention your degree, your key skills, and what you’re looking to achieve in the role. Keep this section concise (2-3 sentences).

Example: "Recent Computer Science graduate with strong skills in programming, data analysis, and problem-solving. Experienced in developing and deploying applications through academic projects and internships. Seeking an entry-level software development role to apply my technical knowledge and contribute to innovative projects."

3. Emphasize Your Education

As a new graduate, your education is one of your strongest assets, so place it prominently on your CV. Include:

• Your degree and major
• University name
• Graduation date
• Relevant coursework or academic honors
• GPA (if 3.5 or higher) and any awards or honors

Example:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science  
XYZ University  
Graduated: May 2023  
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Database Management, Web Development  
Honors: Dean’s List (4 semesters)

4. List Relevant Experience (Internships, Part-Time Jobs, Volunteering)

In this section, include any internships, part-time jobs, or volunteer work relevant to the job. If you lack work experience, consider listing relevant academic projects here. Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in each role, starting each point with an action verb.

Example:

Software Development Intern  
ABC Company  
June 2022 – August 2022  

- Collaborated with the development team to build a data dashboard, improving data visibility by 25%.
- Assisted in debugging and testing features, reducing reported bugs by 15%.
- Gained experience in Agile methodology and tools like JIRA, Git, and SQL.

5. Highlight Skills

Create a skills section to showcase technical skills, software proficiency, and any relevant soft skills. Organize them by category (e.g., technical skills, software, languages) if you have multiple skill sets.

Example:

Technical Skills: Python, Java, SQL, HTML, CSS  
Tools: Git, JIRA, Microsoft Office, Tableau  
Soft Skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving

6. Add a Projects Section (Optional)

If you have notable academic projects, personal projects, or capstone experiences that demonstrate your skills, add a Projects section. Briefly describe each project, its purpose, and any results or technologies used.

Example:

Capstone Project: Productivity Mobile App  
- Developed a mobile app to help small businesses manage productivity by tracking tasks and schedules.
- Utilized JavaScript and React Native to create a responsive user interface.
- Conducted user testing with classmates and received feedback to enhance app functionality.

7. Include Certifications or Additional Training (Optional)

If you have completed online courses or certifications relevant to the job, include them here. Certifications add credibility to your skills, especially if they align with the job description.

Example:

- Google Analytics Certification – Completed June 2023  
- Introduction to Data Science with Python (Coursera) – Completed April 2023

8. Consider Adding Extracurricular Activities (Optional)

If you participated in student organizations, sports teams, or any extracurricular activities that helped you develop leadership, teamwork, or organizational skills, include them in this section.

Example:

President, Computer Science Club  
XYZ University  
September 2021 – May 2023  

- Organized weekly meetings and workshops, engaging 50+ students each session.
- Coordinated annual hackathon, securing sponsorships and increasing participation by 30%.

9. Format Your CV Professionally

• Keep it to One Page: As a new graduate, aim to keep your CV concise and focused on relevant information.
• Use Simple Fonts and Consistent Formatting: Use fonts like Arial or Times New Roman at size 10-12 for readability. Use bold or italics sparingly to emphasize section headings.
• Avoid Clutter: Use bullet points, short paragraphs, and plenty of white space to make it easy to scan.
• Proofread Thoroughly: Check for typos, grammatical errors, and consistency in formatting. A polished CV shows attention to detail.

Sample CV Structure for a New Graduate

Sarah Chen  
Email: sarah.chen@example.com | Phone: (555) 555-1234  
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarahchen | Portfolio: sarahchenportfolio.com  

Professional Summary  
Recent Computer Science graduate with strong programming and problem-solving skills. Experienced in developing applications through academic projects and internships. Seeking an entry-level software development role to apply technical knowledge and contribute to innovative projects.

Education  
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science  
XYZ University, Graduated: May 2023  
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Algorithms, Web Development  
Honors: Dean’s List (4 semesters)

Experience  
Software Development Intern, ABC Company  
June 2022 – August 2022  
- Collaborated with the development team to build a data dashboard, improving data visibility by 25%.  
- Assisted in debugging and testing features, reducing reported bugs by 15%.  
- Gained experience with Agile methodology and tools like JIRA, Git, and SQL.

Skills  
Technical Skills: Python, Java, SQL, HTML, CSS  
Tools: Git, JIRA, Microsoft Office, Tableau  
Soft Skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving

Projects  
Capstone Project: Productivity Mobile App  
- Developed a mobile app to help small businesses manage productivity by tracking tasks and schedules.  
- Utilized JavaScript and React Native for a responsive user interface.  
- Conducted user testing with classmates to enhance app functionality.

Certifications  
Google Analytics Certification – Completed June 2023  
Introduction to Data Science with Python (Coursera) – Completed April 2023

Final Tips for a New Graduate CV

• Tailor Your CV: Customize your CV for each job application by emphasizing skills and experiences most relevant to the specific role.
• Use Action Verbs: Begin each bullet point with action verbs like “developed,” “coordinated,” “managed,” or “assisted” to describe your responsibilities and achievements.
• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to show the impact of your work (e.g., “increased participation by 30%” or “improved data visibility by 25%”).

By following this structure, you’ll create a polished, professional CV that effectively showcases your skills, education, and readiness for your first job as a recent graduate.