Graduate CV Guide for UK Job Applications
Graduate recruitment in the UK is competitive — thousands apply to each scheme. Your CV must prove potential, not just a long work history. Recruiters look for degree class, internships, extracurricular impact, and clear motivation.
Graduate CV Length and Format
- One page if you have limited experience (final-year students, recent grads)
- Two pages if you have placement year, multiple internships, or relevant part-time work
- Reverse chronological order throughout
- British English, no photo, no date of birth
See best resume formats for UK jobs for full conventions.
Essential Sections for a Graduate CV
Personal Statement
Tailor per sector. Investment banking differs from charity work. Mention your degree, key skills, and target role in 3–4 lines.
Example: "Finance graduate (First Class predicted) with spring internship experience at a Big Four firm. Strong Excel and financial modelling skills. Seeking analyst roles in London or Manchester."
Education (Prominent Placement)
List degree first with:
- University, course, dates
- Predicted or achieved classification
- Relevant modules (e.g. Corporate Finance, Data Analytics)
- A-Levels and GCSEs — summarise unless employer asks for full breakdown
Work Experience and Internships
Include placement years, vacation schemes, and part-time jobs. Use STAR-style bullets: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
Extra-Curricular and Leadership
Society committees, sports captains, volunteering, hackathons — especially if you lack internships. Treasurers and event organisers demonstrate commercial awareness.
Skills
Technical (Python, SQL, Excel, CAD) and soft (presentation, teamwork). Match the job description.
Graduate Scheme Applications
Large employers (Unilever, Civil Service, Big Four, banks) often use:
- Online application forms with CV upload
- ATS screening before human review
- Competency-based questions separate from the CV
Your uploaded CV must be ATS-safe. Use our ATS-friendly template and ATS tips guide.
Placement Year on Your CV
Treat your placement like a full job:
- Job title (e.g. Marketing Assistant — Industrial Placement)
- Company name and dates (Sep 2024 – Aug 2025)
- 3–5 bullets with measurable outcomes
Placement experience often decides between similar graduates.
No Internship? Still Competitive
Highlight:
- Dissertation or final project with real-world application
- Part-time retail or admin work (shows reliability)
- Volunteering with responsibility
- Online certifications (Google Digital Garage, HubSpot, LinkedIn Learning)
Our student CV template works for final-year students building their first professional CV.
International Graduates in the UK
If you studied in the UK on a visa, state work rights clearly if comfortable (e.g. "Eligible to work in the UK under Graduate Route visa"). See our international student CV template.
Common Graduate CV Mistakes
- Listing every module — pick 3–4 relevant ones
- Weak verbs — use "Analysed," "Presented," "Coordinated" not "Helped with"
- Unprofessional email — use firstname.lastname@ format
- One generic CV for every sector — tailor personal statement and skills
Build Your Graduate CV on Mobile
Our free CV maker app includes guided steps, 20+ templates, and one-tap PDF export. Ideal for tailoring CVs between lectures or on the commute.
Unlock AI tools with Premium to draft achievement bullets faster. Read how to write a CV with no experience if you are still building your profile.