A practical structure for a student CV
Keep the document easy to scan and usually to one page when you are early in your career. Use clear section headings and reverse chronological order within sections.
- Contact information: your name, professional email, phone number and city. Add a portfolio or LinkedIn link when it is relevant.
- Profile: two or three sentences describing what you study, your strongest relevant skills and the kind of opportunity you are seeking.
- Education: degree or qualification, institution, dates and relevant coursework or achievements.
- Projects and experience: class projects, personal projects, internships, volunteering, clubs or part-time work.
- Skills: specific tools, technical abilities and languages that you can explain or demonstrate.
Example student CV profile
Adapt this example to your real background. Replace every bracketed detail and remove any skill or experience you cannot honestly support.
Motivated [degree] student at [institution] with an interest in [career area]. Built practical experience through [project, coursework or volunteering], using [relevant tools or skills]. Seeking an opportunity to contribute, learn and develop in [type of role].
How to present academic and personal projects
Projects are useful evidence when you have not held a formal job. Give each project a clear title, date and short description. Focus on what you personally did rather than only describing the project idea.
- State the problem or goal in one sentence.
- Name the tools, methods or technologies you used.
- Describe your contribution with an action verb such as designed, tested, programmed, analyzed or coordinated.
- Include a measurable result only when you can verify it.
Common student CV mistakes to avoid
Avoid filling the page with generic claims such as hardworking, passionate or team player without evidence. Do not include school subjects, hobbies or personal details simply to make the CV longer. Check spelling, dates, contact details and consistent formatting before sending it.