What Makes a Good CV for a First Job?

A first CV does not need years of experience. It needs clarity.

Career

Why this matters

A first CV does not need years of experience. It needs clarity. The goal is not to make studying or job hunting more complicated. It is to make the next small step obvious.

01. Start with the right setup

Put your name and contact details where they are easy to find. Use a professional email address.

02. Build a repeatable habit

Lead with a short profile that says what you can do, what you are interested in and the kind of opportunity you want.

03. Use feedback

Include education, relevant projects, volunteer work, part-time work, achievements, skills and languages. Describe what you actually did.

04. Finish with a review

Keep formatting consistent and proofread carefully. A clean, readable CV is easier for a recruiter to scan.

Use the California Café tools alongside your routine: past papers for practice, the CV Studio for your application, and the Student Hub for quick practical guidance.
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