CV with no experience and student CV: filling the page honestly
A CV without work experience is not an empty CV: education, internships, projects and volunteering are experience, as long as you describe them that way.
Change the order of sections
Put education first with degree, institution, year and class if good. Add your final project or dissertation topic: it shows what you can do.
What counts as experience
- Internships and attachments, even short ones.
- Group projects with a concrete result.
- Student leadership: treasurer, class rep, event organiser.
- Side jobs and helping in a family business.
- National service and volunteering.
Describe each with a verb and a result: "Organised a blood donation day: 120 donors".
| Tool | Price | Read by screening software | Strength | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Word / Google Docs | Free (or already installed) | Good with a simple layout | Full control, works offline | Slow formatting, dated templates |
| Canva | Free, premium elements paid | Variable: columns and icons can be misread | Very attractive design | Built for design, not for screening software |
| Online builders (Zety, Resume.io…) | Often free to build, paid options in dollars or euros | Usually good | Step-by-step guidance | Foreign currency, card often required |
| EmploiZen | Unlimited free CVs, AI options from 300 CFA francs | Real-text PDF, single-column version | Tests the CV against a job ad, local pricing | New service, AI writing is paid |
Prices and features checked in November 2026; they may change.
What to avoid
Inflated skills ("Excel expert" after one module), generic hobbies and two-page CVs. One full page is better.
Frequently asked questions
What do I put on a CV if I have never worked?
Education, internships, projects, volunteering and side jobs, each with a verb and a result.
Should a student CV be one page?
Yes. One full page always beats two thin ones.
Should I list my grades?
Only your class of degree or ranking if they are good.
Kpak is published by the EmploiZen team, one of the tools mentioned in this article. Our transparency policy
