The Student Room Group

Building skills/qualifications to put on a CV

What sorts of skills and qualifications can a 14 year old build to put on a CV? I have work experience this year that I need to apply for and will also be looking to apply to college in a few years. I've completed my bronze DofE and volunteer. I don't really have any hobbies or things I do outside of school. I would really appreciate any advice. Thank you 😊
Original post by Anonymous
What sorts of skills and qualifications can a 14 year old build to put on a CV? I have work experience this year that I need to apply for and will also be looking to apply to college in a few years. I've completed my bronze DofE and volunteer. I don't really have any hobbies or things I do outside of school. I would really appreciate any advice. Thank you 😊

Make sure you highlight ur volunteering under the ‘work experience’ category and explain what you did briefly and what skills you have gained

For skills, you could just name ur strengths, such as critical thinking, good time management skills, strong team player etc.

If you have done any role of responsibility in school you could mention that such as prefect or student leadership team

Also a good thing to add on is if your competent in tools like excel/word

Any languages that you might be fluent in or any enrichments like sports

If you have any siblings/cousins that you babysit, you could mention that in your interests


You should be able to use DofE to add many skills like determination, it’s very good!
Also, I stayed at my secondary school for sixth form, but I’m pretty sure you don’t need a CV for college, you just get interviewed I think.

Hope this helps! 🙂
Reply 2
Thank you. Were there any extra things that I could start doing to add to my CV?
Picking up a hobby would be good, it could be something as simple as joining an after school club at school, something to learn at home like crocheting, or reading books

Having work experience is the most important but I’m not sure what you could do as a 14yr old, maybe volunteering at a charity shop? But don’t worry too much about this, you’re still young! and I’m sure the place you’re applying to will be aware of that.
Original post by Anonymous
Thank you. Were there any extra things that I could start doing to add to my CV?


If you're only 14, not many people will actually expect you to have a full, nice looking CV anyway.

Ask your parents or friends about qualities and how you've demonstrated them . (This may come up in interviews, but also tells colleges why they should have you.).

Any clubs you did as a child for a while ? (Like Scouts? I did dance for 10 years for example, and was in Guiding until GCSEs) This can be where you can show dedication or where you have learnt skills/abilities. DofE will also help - don't you have to do volunteering as part of that- that could be put on there if you want.

Hope this helps :smile:

Quick Reply