Recruiters scan early-career CVs differently to senior ones. They are not looking for years of leadership — they are looking for signals of capability, structure and self-awareness. A graduate CV that demonstrates those three things will outperform one that simply lists modules and part-time jobs.
The single most common mistake is using the top of the page for something that adds no information: a generic objective, a personal statement copied from a template, or contact details formatted as a banner. That space is the most valuable real estate on your CV.
Instead, treat the top third as a positioning summary: who you are, what you are pursuing, and one concrete result that proves it. Even a small project, dissertation outcome, or internship metric is enough.
Structure the page recruiters expect
An effective early-career CV follows a predictable order. Predictable is good — it lets the reader find what they need in seconds.
- Name and contact line (one row, no banner).
- Three-line summary stating your direction and one proof point.
- Education with results, relevant modules, and any notable projects.
- Experience — internships, part-time roles, voluntary work — written as outcomes, not duties.
- Skills, languages, and tools, grouped clearly.
Write outcomes, not duties
"Responsible for stock-taking" tells the reader nothing. "Reduced stock discrepancies by 30 percent over a three-month placement" tells them you can quantify and improve a process. Even modest roles can be reframed this way.
- Lead each bullet with a verb in the past tense.
- Include a number, percentage, scope, or timeframe wherever you can.
- Cut anything that could appear on anyone else's CV unchanged.
Keep it to one page — for now
At this stage, a second page rarely strengthens the picture. It dilutes it. A disciplined one-page document signals editorial judgement, which is exactly what employers look for in early-career hires.
Brevity is a credibility signal at the start of your career — far more than length.