Writing a CV when you've never worked!

For one of my courses at Uni we have to produce a CV, I've never worked in my life and I dont know what to do :frown:

I don't know what I'm doing, I felt so stupid in the tutorial for this yesterday when everyone was talking about their work experiences. The only paid job I've ever had was a paper round when I was 14, and I stacked beer in a local shop for five months at 16. I was sacked eventually because the employer couldnt afford to pay me. I've been a young leader for Brownies, I've helped out in my local primary school and I did a very basic placement for my first year in Uni in a primary school. I cant work out what skills I've gained from them other than communication and interpersonal skills. I was a young carer growing up and part of me thinks there must be something I can use from that but I can't think of anything. I know a lot of first aid but have zero proof of that.. Never been to any clubs - not since I did ballet for a year when I was 5. Been to Brownies and Guides.. And I did a week at Outward bound when I was 16. I dont know if any of that is good enough for a CV though. I'm disabled as well - I've got an anxiety disorder and dyspraxia - and I don't know how to put that on my CV, apparently you have to explain on your CV any gaps of employment? I feel so stupid and pathetic, compared to everyone else in the class :frown:

I wouldn't mind but this is worth 40% of my overall grade, I've already failed 2 courses last semester due to illness and literally can't afford to buy a 3rd resit :frown:

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 1

Ultimate_Geek

Okay, you've got quite a bit to work with there - you just need to sex it up (as my dearest Ma would say).

Paper round - shows work ethic from young age, independence, motivation to work early mornings and therefore punctuality.

Working in the shop - till trained, comfortable dealing with stock and experienced with customer relations. You weren't 'sacked', you were let go due to your employer's difficult financial circumstances. Not your fault at all.

The above two show that you are able to work and study at the same time which demonstrates organisational skills and an ability to separate work and academia (providing you did well in school that is).

Volunteered in a variety of places centering around child education. Children can be unpredictable and working with them can be incredibly stressful at times, so this shows that you can cope with this. Also, you're the responsible adult around such children so therefore you handle responsibility well. You could also incorporate your unofficial first aid knowledge in here stating that you remain calm and level-headed when unfavourable circumstances arise.

I don't know what Outward bound is - but hopefully you'll get the idea from above.

Hope that helps.

Reply 2

didgeridoo12uk

just get your hand on lots of CVs from other people. see what they've written and use it to give you lots of ideas.

Reply 3

CherryCherryBoomBoom

Your experience is quite similar to mine. The only paid work I've done is a paper round and working on a magazine on a school placement, and I've also done lots of volunteering over the years, and still do some now. And I've written it all down on my CV. My careers advisor told me it looks good, so yeah. Also, I'd say that what Ultimate_Geek said is a very good post about how these various activities would benefit you :yep:

Reply 4

arabcnesbit

Can't you just make stuff up. Get a fake reference from one of your parent's friends etc?

As a side note, what course are you doing? Just wondered cause I've never heard of anyone getting 40% of marks in a module for writing a CV?

Edit: Just read this back. It wasn't meant to sound as cheeky. Just curious. Everyone tells a few white lies on their cv and if it's only for a class project, just make it up.

(edited 13 years ago)

Reply 5

Bella Occhi

Bugger, I've only done a paper round. Not looking forward to writing my CV :no:

Reply 6

thefish_uk

Original post by arabcnesbit

As a side note, what course are you doing? Just wondered cause I've never heard of anyone getting 40% of marks in a module for writing a CV?

Creative writing perhaps? :tongue:

Original post by daisydaffodil

I'm disabled as well - I've got an anxiety disorder and dyspraxia - and I don't know how to put that on my CV, apparently you have to explain on your CV any gaps of employment?

As others have said, it sounds like you actually have quite a bit to put on there, you just have to twist it into employer-speak and Ultimate_Geek has done a good job of explaining how you might do this. Your potential employer doesn't need to know that you weren't paid for the stacking job - it still shows you holding down a regular commitment for five months.

I don't think the disability is something you need to put on a CV at all as it's not something which should affect the selection process. Employers tend to ask about disabilities on their application form (if they have one) or if they don't the appropriate time to mention it might be once you have been invited for interview? Importantly, it is handled separately from the application itself - the reason they need to know is for equal opportunities and so they know if they need to make special adjustments for your interview or for the job itself. It is not any reason for them to hire you or not hire you, so it doesn't form part of the CV.

As for gaps of employment... assuming you went straight from school to university you have nothing to worry about, being a student counts as "employment" and summer holidays don't count as a "gap"!