Boost your student CV

Trying to find a job while you’re a student can sometimes feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack - exhausting, overwhelming and damn near impossible. Well, we’re here to tell you that it is possible (with our help of course). Read on to find out how you can become even more employable with our student CV tips.

How to write a good student CV

First things first – you’ll need to tailor your CV, cover letter and personal statement to match the job description of each job you apply for. This means that even if you use student CV templates or even a CV builder, you’re still gonna have to put a bit of work in. 

 After that, you should make sure your CV is easy to read and doesn’t include any spelling mistakes or missing words. Especially if you’ve edited it numerous times for different job applications. And don’t forget to include the obvious stuff like your name, address and contact details.

What to include in your student CV

An academic skills-based CV is all well and good, but employers also want to know that you’re an actual human with a life beyond your studies, i.e. that you have some soft skills. There are a few extra curricular activities that are literally tailor made (kinda) to help you do this. The best student CV boosters are:

A gap year

Taken either just before or immediately after your degree. But it does come with a caveat. Sitting on a beach in Thailand smoking opium for 12 months isn’t going to impress them at all. So you’re gonna have to get down and dirty working on something productive like a conservation project, or going on an expedition.

Work experience

This one’s best if it’s the field of work you’re planning on getting a career in, or something similar. Being able to work shows dedication, basic skills proficiency, and that you have at least some idea about how to do whatever the hell you’re getting yourself into. If you can’t get a placement in the right field, take anything that you get offered. You can use it to play up the fact that it’s given you a whole bunch of transferable skills.

Voluntary work

This one’s pretty self-explanatory. It shows that you’re dedicated and reliable, generally caring, and an asset to the community. Not to mention it can help build your character while you’re doing it as well. Really, really good if you want to go into social work, or teaching.

A part time job

Shows good general survival skills, initiative, and perseverance. Even if you don’t really believe that, just say you do. Let the employer or human resources manager decide for themselves whether you’re a dynamic go-getter. Extra points if you can get part time work in an area you’d eventually want to get into full time. For more info, see our guide to part time jobs and part time work here.

Membership of a club or society

Joining clubs and societies suggests that you’re someone with good social skills, who doesn’t just sit around at home night after night. For example, sporting activities make you look like a real team player. On the other hand positions of responsibility (chairperson, secretary, treasurer) can give you an edge when applying for fast-track graduate trainee schemes.

Just don’t say you set up the Netflix society (which only had one member and never actually made it onto the Student Union’s roster), and never left the house for the duration of your course.

Any prizes or awards you have won

If you’ve won anything during your course, make sure you milk it for all its worth. That way your CV will stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s the best essay award, or a distinction in one of your course modules. Give yourself the edge over the competition with a bit of humble bragging.

Adding hobbies and interests to your CV

Try to show that you’re not a study-bot, but at the same time be wary of alienating the reader completely. They don’t need your entire personal profile – including (but not limited to) your membership of the BeyHive and buying every episode of Sherlock on Amazon Prime; best to keep those things for your private life. 

For more CV advice, check out our article on how to write a CV here and our other resources for getting a job here. Read our article on how to make a stand out CV to really blow their socks off.