You’ve finished school or college. You’re ready to earn some money. You find a job you actually want, open the application and there it is.
“Previous experience required.”
Brilliant.
How exactly are you supposed to get experience when nobody will give you a job without it?
We’ve all seen it. But here’s the thing: your CV doesn’t need to be packed with impressive job titles. It just needs to show an employer that you’re worth giving a chance.
And you’ve probably got more to put on it than you think.
FIRST UP, KEEP IT SIMPLE.
Nobody wants to read three pages about how you were a prefect in Year 9.
One page is absolutely fine when you’re starting out. Two at most.
Here’s what you actually need:
YOUR DETAILS
Name, phone number, email address and the town you live in.
Make sure your email address is something you’d be happy for an employer to see. If it’s still the one you made when you were 12, maybe create a new one.
A SHORT INTRO
Three or four lines about who you are and what you’re looking for.
Something like:
“I’m a reliable, hardworking person looking to gain experience in a practical working environment. I’m happy working as part of a team, enjoy learning new skills and am always willing to get stuck in.”
Nothing complicated.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
“But I’ve never had a job.”
That’s fine.
Have you helped out at a family business? Volunteered? Played for a sports team? Helped organise an event? Looked after younger siblings?
These things can show responsibility, teamwork and commitment.
Just be honest about what you’ve actually done.
YOUR EDUCATION
School, college, qualifications. Keep it straightforward.
YOUR SKILLS
Think about what you’re genuinely good at.
Working with people? Being organised? Practical tasks? Solving problems? Staying calm under pressure?
Don’t just write “hardworking” fifteen times.
DON’T MAKE STUFF UP.
Seriously.
If you’ve never worked in a warehouse, don’t say you’ve managed one.
You don’t need to pretend you’ve done things you haven’t.
Most employers hiring young people know you’re still learning.
They’re looking for someone willing to put the effort in.
THIS IS WHERE TEMPING HELPS.
Every shift you complete gives you something real to add to your CV.
Event setup. Warehouse work. Hospitality. Working to deadlines. Following instructions. Being part of a team.
Suddenly, instead of saying you’re reliable, you’ve got actual experience to back it up.
And that makes a difference.
NEED SOMEONE TO CHECK IT?
SEND IT OUR WAY.
Before you start firing your CV off to every job going, get someone to have a look over it.
Check the spelling. Make sure your details are right. Save it as a PDF.
And give the file a proper name.
Charlie_Smith_CV.pdf
Not:
CV_FINAL_FINAL_USE_THIS_ONE_3.pdf
We’ve all been there.
But what if you haven’t got anyone to check it?
Send it to us. Seriously.
We’ve got a team here who know recruitment inside out. We know what employers look for, what makes a CV stand out and what might be letting yours down.
And we’re more than happy to help.
Whether it’s your first ever CV or you’ve applied for 20 jobs and heard absolutely nothing back, send it over.
We’ll take a look and give you some proper advice.
No lectures. No judgement. No charge.
Just a bit of help from people who know what they’re talking about.
Because everyone deserves a decent shot at getting hired.
Attach your CV and send it to graftduk@gmail.com.
THE BOTTOM LINE.
Everyone starts somewhere.
Your CV doesn’t need to be impressive. It needs to be honest, clear and show you’re ready to work.
And if you need some experience to fill it?