University Student CV Template—20+ Writing Tips & Samples

Most university CVs have a major problem.

They lack experience.

To get hired, you must show you’ve got the skills, even if you haven’t used them.

How?

It’s not doctoral-level. You can do it. The key is knowing how to show your education on a CV.

This guide will show you:

• An example of a CV for a student in university that's better than most.
• How to make the best university student job description for CVs.
• How to write a university student CV that proves you’re hireable.
• Why you can’t just list generic CV skills (and what to do instead).

The top line advice:

How to write a CV as a university student:

You won’t have much experience in a CV, but don’t sweat it. First, expand your CV education section into projects that demonstrate key job skills. Then show only relevant job experience accomplishments to convince the hiring team you can do the job.

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Are you in the first place? If you need a university application CV or a university internship CV, see these guides:

• Internship CV Examples
• High School CV for University Application
• High School Graduate CV
• High School CV
• No Experience CV
• University Graduate CV
• Graduate School CV
• Student CV
• Nursing Student CV
• Engineering Student CV
• Entry Level Mechanical Engineer CV
• Computer Science (CS) Student CV

Writing a first job CV with no experience? See our guide: How to Write an Entry-Level CV with No Experience [10+ Tips]

Want to write a job-specific university CV? See our CV Examples for Every Profession.

University Student CV You Can Copy and Use

Feel free to copy-paste this good CV template for university students:

Now here’s how to write a CV for a univeristy students they’ll love:

1. Start With the Best University Student CV Format

University students are post-secondary-school students admitted to a university. They enter the working world with the education needed to do a variety of jobs, but no experience. That’s why a university CV must focus on relevant achievements that show key skill abilities.

But formatting is the key.

Why?

Because a poorly-formatted university student CV confuses the reader.

If they’re confused, they won’t see why you’re such a perfect fit.

Use these CV tips to get your points across:

University Student CV Format

• Use the reverse-chronological format.
• Fill it with CV fonts like either Cambria or Garamond in 10–12pt.
• Add 1-inch margins, large headings, and occasional white space.
• Make a one-page CV. University students don’t need more.
• Use these CV sections: Header, Objective, Experience, Education, Skills, and “Other.”

Expert Hint: Save your university student CV in PDF form unless the employer specifically says otherwise. PDFs stay formatted across all devices and platforms.

2. Write a Great CV Objective for University Students

Horror story:

They won’t actually read your university CV.

They’ll skim it in six seconds.

If you don’t grab them in that time, they’ll move on to the next eager applicant.

So—

A CV objective for university students has a Herculean job to do.

Use:

1. One adjective (talented, creative, personable)
2. Job title (marketing specialist, engineer)
3. How you’ll help (raise ROI, cut lead times)
4. Nicest few achievements (student leader of AMA, web project got 20K views/mo)

These university CV examples show how:

University Student CV Objective—Example

Crikey.

The first of those university CV examples will get dozens of interview requests. The second works if you know the boss’s mother.

The key?

Rack your brain to find your biggest accomplishment the hiring manager will like.

And remember— 

Write your CV objective last. Writing it first is like sitting for the final exam before you’ve taken the class.

Expert Hint: Got a few years of professional experience? Write a university student CV summary instead. It’s an alternative CV introductory statement for more experienced candidates. 

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.

CREATE YOUR CV NOW

3. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

It’s frustrating.

You don’t have experience.

But they won’t hire you without it.

Get ready for a sigh of relief.

You’ve got enough experience to get the job.

The crux here is to put your CV education section first, then show it like a series of jobs or “projects.”

Just pick the ones that show the skills the job ad wants.

These university CV examples show how:

University Student CV Template—Education

Job posting wants skills in 1) leadership, 2) marketing, 3) SEO, 4) podcasting, 5) social media, 6) email marketing.

See that?

You can prove yourself without the dreaded “5 years of experience.”

You could just as easily have had a section called “Student Leader, Digital Marketing Institute” or “Captain, Varsity Swim Team.”

It all comes down to what you think are your most eye-catching accomplishments. And what skills the job posting values most.

Expert Hint: Don’t clutter up your university CV with terms the hiring team won’t recognise. “Produced Weekly Podcast” works better than “Jilliboam Tribbins Podcast.”

4. Write a Tempting University Student Job Description

You don’t have experience yet.

They know it. You know it.

But—

Don’t list summer jobs on your university student CV with no work experience.

Instead, show achievements from those jobs that put key skills in your trophy case.

How to write a university student work history for a CV

1. Build your skills list from the online ad.
2. Think of times you used those skills in summer jobs or part-time jobs.
3. Show those things in a combined work experience section.
4. Add numbers to give scale to your abilities.
5. Skip the long list of menial jobs.

These university CV examples show how:

University Student Job Description for CV [Sample]

Stunning.

The first of those university CV examples bonds you to the job. All the second does is show you’ve worked for money.

Be careful.

Don’t just kitchen-sink a bunch of university student CV skills.

Anyone can do that.

So again, look to the job posting. Then prove your skills with achievements from school and part-time work.

For inspiration, see these CV skills employers crave:

University Student CV Skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Communication
• Collaboration or teamwork
• Strong work ethic
• Listening
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Organisation
• Customer service
• Persuasion
• Judgement
• Analytical thinking
• Honesty
• Critical thinking
• Creativity
• Physically fit
• Self confidence
• Self motivated
• Flexibility/adaptability
• Good attitude
• Ethical
• Compassion
• Dependability
• Psychology
• Perceptiveness
• Coordination

Expert Hint: Networking is so, so, so important. It’s cliche, but it’s so true and can’t be overstated. Learn to network like your life depends on it. Your university student CV will thank you!

5. Enhance Your University Student CV With “Other” Sections

Just a second.

Your universiy student CV can’t peter out after experience and education.

If it does, you’ll look as generic as a freshman on orientation day.

You’ve got to add more skills proof. And it helps to show you’re well-rounded.

So—

Add a few extracurricular bonus CV sections:

• Additional Activities
• Awards & Honours
• Conferences
• Freelance Work
• Volunteer Experience
• Continuing Education
• Relevant Coursework
• Publications
• Scholarships
• Foreign Languages
• Projects
• Certifications

These two university student CV examples clear the cobwebs:

University Student CV—Extra Sections Examples

Clap your eyes on that.

The first of those university student CV samples shows you live and breathe your trade.

The second shows you can fog up a mirror.

Finally, have a LinkedIn profile or other online portfolio. Need some help? See our guide: Use LinkedIn Like a Pro: Hot Tips for Students and Recent Grads

Expert Hint: Write a university student cover letter. Half the hiring teams will ditch your university student CV unless you write one (even though that isn’t fair!)

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

For a university student CV that gets jobs:

• Use the CV template for university students up top. It’s got all the requisites for getting hired.
• Put achievements in your university student CV. They are the only way to prove you’re skilled.
• Choose your job skills wisely. Get them from the top part of the online job ad.
• Write a university student cover letter. Prove you know the job’s needs and list a couple of big school achievements that show you can fill them.

Got questions on how to write a great CV for university students? Not getting any love with your university student CV with no work experience? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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