How I Would Write a CV With No Work Experience in Nigeria

You open the CV template, type your name, phone number, and email address and move down to the work experience section.

And there is nothing left to write!

Perhaps you are a recent graduate. Perhaps you are still a student. You have never had any work experience with an organization before and now find yourself asking, “What am I going to put here?”

Fortunately, lack of formal work experience does not mean you have nothing to say!

Your final year project, SIWES, internship, volunteering, leadership role on campus, freelancing or anything else you may have been up to will give the employer a glimpse of what you are capable of doing.

The difficult part is knowing how to list all this without misrepresenting yourself as having work experience at someplace where you did not.

In this article, I’ll walk you through how to write a CV with no work experience, what to list, what not to list and how to make the most out of the little that you have in order to create a CV that will help you secure a job in Nigeria.

Find the Experience You Already Have

Before even thinking of starting the document in Word for your CV format, spend a few minutes jotting down all you’ve done so far that could possibly prove your worth to a potential employer.

Although you may not have any official employment history, you probably have completed a final year project, participated in SIWES, served in a PPA during NYSC, volunteered somewhere, been president of your club, freelanced, owned a small enterprise, or simply created a project of your own.

Some things to ask yourself:

• What projects have I completed?
• What have I done during SIWES, Internship or NYSC?
• Have I volunteered or led any organization?
• Have I freelanced or run a small business?
• Have I created anything on my own?
• What skills/software can I use?
• Relevant courses/certifications.

Simply write down everything that comes to mind for now. You can think of the presentation later.

In summary, the objective is clear: get all your evidence in order before you write the story.

Remember, never lie on your CV. Your first CV does not have to be one that portrays someone with several years of experience. Find a Job in Nigeria.

In case you would like to see this process through visualization, you could try watching this video that presents yet another way of creating a CV for someone with no work experience.

Sample Fresh Graduate Experience Section

A new graduate can list his/her experiences as follows:

Relevant Experience

Marketing Intern | ABC Media Ltd., Abuja
June 2024 – September 2024

• Developed social media content and posted them on a weekly basis.
• Conducted competitor research and provided short market reports.
• Answered customer inquiries.

Final-Year Research Project | University of Abuja
2025

• Conducted research on the effects of inflation on small-scale businesses in Nigeria.
• Analysis of research data through Microsoft Excel.
• Presentation of results and recommendations to lecturers/classmates.

Social Media Volunteer | Student Association
2023 – 2024

• Developed content for promotion of student events.
• Managed online communications and answered inquiries.

The above approach is viable because it outlines what the graduate has done despite the fact that he/she may not have worked for many years.

Use This Structure for Your Graduate CV

You don’t have to use a complex CV. In case you are a student or fresh graduate with little to no experience, try to make yours simple.

A good graduate CV should have the following components:

• Contact information – Help the employer recognize you.
• Professional summary – Explain briefly who you are, what you can offer and what job you are looking for.
• Education – Give details about your degree, institution attended and year of graduation along with relevant achievements, if applicable.
• Experience and projects – Prove what you have already done with internships, SIWES, NYSC, project works, freelance and volunteer experience or any other relevant experience.
• Certifications – Provide those skills that would match the job requirement and related certification.
• Leadership and volunteering – Mention this section if it is going to add value.

You don’t have to put all the above sections in your CV just because it is a part of a CV template. It is not necessary to have a section in your CV, which does not add anything valuable.

Keep Your CV Simple

There is no need for an intricate design in your CV that will set it apart from other applicants. It is recommended that the design be simple and clear enough to understand for both graduate and entry-level applications.

This includes clear section titles, proper fonts, spacing and overall consistency of the design.

Text that is bold highlights the important stuff, dates add context while short bullets describe the actions taken.

There is no place for big chunks of text, excessive designs or lengthy paragraphs. Make sure to leave plenty of blank space between each section so the CV does not look too busy.

Remember to save the document in a file name that sounds professional, e.g.

David-Okoro-CV.pdf

In case the employer specifies a particular file format, use it. Otherwise, PDF is a practical option since it will keep your design intact when sending the CV.

Think of your CV as of your highlight reel rather than your life story in total.

How Long Should a CV With No Experience Be?

For many students and new graduates, one page is the perfect place to start.

You do not need to make your resume two pages long because of how impressive it might look. If you actually have enough experience worth showing on a second page, you can use it. But avoid including irrelevant information for the sake of making your resume longer.

The thing is, your resume should be a highlight of your career, not a story about all your past experiences.

Your task is quite straightforward: make your resume scannable and hard to misinterpret.

Now, let’s get started from the very beginning by providing some essential information recruiters will need to contact you.

Write Your Contact Details

Start with the details required by the employer to identify and get in touch with you.

This should include:

• Name
• Phone number
• Email
• Location, e.g., Abuja, Lagos or Port Harcourt
• Your LinkedIn Profile, if you have a relevant and updated one.

For example:

DAVID OKORO

Abuja, Nigeria | 0800 000 0000 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/davidokoro

A photograph is only necessary if the employer requests one or the job you are applying for requires one. A CV should highlight your qualifications, skills and experiences.

Be brief in this section. You shouldn’t have an elaborate introduction before your name and there’s no need to include every personal detail you could think of.

Also be sure that your email sounds professional. An email made from your name is better than something you came up with many years back as some silly nickname.

For example:

Good: [email protected]

Avoid: [email protected]

Ensure your phone number and email are right before submitting your CV. A great CV won’t do much for you if the employer has no means to reach out to you.

Next we will craft the introduction which highlights who you are and what you are good at.

Write a Professional Summary

Your Professional Summary is basically an introductory statement on your CV. It tells an employer about who you are, what you are capable of, and what kind of job position you seek.

There is no need to provide all the details of your past experiences. Just two to three statements are sufficient.

Here is the basic structure:

Who you are + relevant skills / experience + desired job position.

Avoid Generic Graduate Summaries

The following is just another example of a statement that does not give enough information to the employer regarding your qualifications for a certain position:

“I am a hardworking, dedicated and result oriented graduate, seeking a challenging job with a reputable organization.”

Here is how you should relate your educational background and experience with your desired job position:

Economics Graduate with hands-on experience in research, data analysis, and Microsoft Excel. Looking for an entry-level job in finance, operations or administration.

Match Your Summary to the Role

The same graduate can customize their summary for different jobs without changing their true experience at all.

For a finance job position:

Recent Economics graduate with experience in data analysis, research, and Microsoft Excel obtained from academic assignments and internships. Looking for an entry-level job in finance or accounting.

For a marketing job position:

Recent Economics graduate with experience in researching, writing digital content, and engaging in social media activities obtained from academic and personal assignments. Looking for an entry-level job in marketing or communications.

For an administrative job position:

Recent Economics graduate with experience in research, documentation, organizing data, and using Microsoft Office software obtained from academic assignments and internships. Looking for an entry-level job in administration or operations.

You don’t need to create three different selves here – you just need to highlight the most relevant parts of your true self.

Don’t make claims that you didn’t actually do anything about. Your aim is to make your true strengths visible.

Present Your Education

In situations where you lack work experience, your education is among the main aspects that make your CV shine.

Begin with your latest qualification, stating your qualification, institution, and year of completion. Relevant courses, academic honors, or your GPA could be included if relevant to the position you are applying for.

Example:

B.Sc. Economics
University of Abuja, Abuja
2025

Relevant Courses: Econometrics, Statistics, Financial Economics

Do not fill this section with all the courses you undertook in university. Keep it to aspects that will help an employer know more about what you studied.

Turn Academic Experience Into Evidence

But your academic background is not confined to your last year’s project. Research tasks, presentations, case studies, group projects, lab work, and fieldwork are all areas where you may have shown some useful skills.

Examples:

Academic Research: Conducted research on the effects of inflation on small businesses, carried out analysis using Microsoft Excel, and presented results.

OR

Group Case Study: Conducted analysis of financial performance of a local company with four other class members and presented results using PowerPoint.

Turn Your Final-Year Project Into Evidence

The final year project is another way to show skills sought after by employers.

Rather than stating the title like:

Final Year Project: Inflation and its Effect on Economic Growth in Nigeria

State what you achieved in your final year project:

Final Year Research Project: Analysed inflation and economic growth based on research data and Microsoft Excel. Result and Recommendations.

It provides the employer proof of your research skills, analysis, and presentation skills.

Your academic record cannot substitute work experience, but it can provide the employer with proof of your abilities.

List Relevant Skills and Certifications

Where you lack working experience, skills become the key to show the employer what you are capable of.

However, there is no need to state each and every skill that you know. It is recommended to take into account the job requirements first and then mention those skills that you possess.

Thus, instead of saying:

Hardworking, team player, good communication, leadership, problem-solving

one could say:

Technical Skills: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Google Workplace, Data Entry
Other Skills: Research, Report Writing, Communication, Organisation

Use This Skills Section Template

Here is how your skills section can be organised:

Skills

Technical: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Google Workspace, Canva
Professional: Research, Data Analysis, Report Writing, Communication
Languages: English, Yoruba

Certifications

Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Certificate, 2025
Microsoft Excel Training, 2025

All these categories aren’t compulsory. You may choose those that are relevant for the job you’re applying to.

For instance, a graduate who is applying to work in the field of data would emphasise his proficiency in Excel, data analysis, and research, while one applying to work in marketing would focus on content creation and social media.

Include Relevant Certifications

You can add certifications that will help you in achieving your targeted position. Certifications can be from any of the reputable sources such as recognized training institutions, professional bodies, universities, or online learning websites.

Certifications mentioned on your resume should only be the ones you have successfully completed. In case you are pursuing a particular course, make sure to highlight this fact clearly.

The point is not to impress the employer with your certifications, but rather to paint a picture for him about what you can actually do and how.

Tailor Your CV to the Job

Your CV doesn’t always have to be a complete rewrite for each and every job application.

You just need to tailor it in accordance with the position you are seeking.

Prior to submitting your CV, carefully read the requirements set forth in the job description and determine what skills, qualifications, tools and duties the employer is mentioning all the time.

Next, tailor your CV as follows:

1. Read the job description. Learn what exactly does the employer need.
2. Determine keywords. Identify required skills, software, qualifications and responsibilities.
3. Tailor your summary. Highlight the most relevant experience and skills first.
4. Focus on relevant experience. Make the projects or activities that relate to the position more prominent in your CV.
5. Don’t lie. Never mention a skill just because the job description states it.

For instance, if the employer is looking for someone experienced in Microsoft Excel and research and reporting, then make sure that these skills are easy to find in your CV in case you possess them.

Such tailoring will allow the employer to easily learn how your background is relevant to the position without wasting time to scan irrelevant information.

Example of a CV With No Work Experience

Creating your CV is easy if you have a basic format and just put in your details instead of the samples.

Here is an example of a CV for graduates:

Sample Fresh Graduate CV Template

FULL NAME

[CITY, Nigeria] | [Phone Number] | [Email Address] | [LinkedIn URL]

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Recently graduated in [degree/field] with experience in [relevant skill or area] from [academic projects, internship, volunteering or other experience]. Looking for an entry-level position in [target role/industry].

EDUCATION

[Degree]

[University/Institution], [City] | [Graduation Year]

Relevant coursework: [Course], [Course], [Course]

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE & PROJECTS

[Position/Project] | [Organisation/Institution]

[Month Year – Month Year]

• [Action] [what you did] [result/purpose].
• [Action] [what you did] [result/purpose].
• [Action] [what you did] [result/purpose].

[Academic/Personal Project] | [Institution or Personal Project]

[Year]

• [What you researched, created or solved].
• [Tool, method or skill you used].
• [What you presented, delivered or learned].

SKILLS

Technical: [Skill], [Tool], [Software]
Professional: [Research], [Communication], [Data Analysis]

CERTIFICATIONS

[Certification] | [Year]
[Certification] | [Year]

LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEERING

[Role] | [Organisation]

[Year – Year]

• [What you did or contributed].

You don’t have to put all sections. You should keep a section where it helps your application and omit it where you lack something to add.

Your “Relevant Experience & Projects” can include SIWES, NYSC/PPA, internship, final-year project, freelancing, volunteering, personal project or any business you have run.

The main idea here is that you should substitute all bracketed parts with your information. You should not use somebody else’s experience, responsibilities or accomplishments.

Check Your CV Before You Apply

Once your CV is ready, there is more than checking whether all the information was put in all required sections.

Think about the following questions from the point of view of an employer:

• Is it obvious who is this person?
• What kind of role does he/she pursue?
• Do I see what this person has done?
• Are the required skills easy to identify?
• Does the experience correspond to the position?
• Do I see anything included only because the CV should be long enough?
• Am I sure that I do not use information that cannot be verified?

The best CV for a graduate will not try to show that you are a candidate with five years’ experience.

Such CV will show your actual education, projects, skills and experience.

Try to think as an employer: he/she will not have to solve some kind of riddle in order to find out whether you can fit the job position.

And when an employer sees everything he needs to know about you after having read your CV in a few seconds, you will be in a much better position.

Final CV Checklist Before You Apply

Take some time to go over the content of the CV before submitting it. It is better safe than sorry, as mistakes may detract from the overall impression.

Consider this list:

• Your name and contact details are accurate.
• You have used a professional email address.
• Your professional summary fits the position description.
• You have mentioned your relevant experience and projects.
• You have not fabricated any information about experience, achievements, or qualifications.
• You have excluded unnecessary personal details.
• Layout is clear and professional.
• File is named professionally (e.g., David-Okoro-CV.pdf).
• File is saved in the required format.

Lastly, open the CV one more time and look it over. You may even want to see how the CV looks on your phone or computer, paying special attention to the spacing, headings, and page breaks.

A CV can technically be complete yet require further editing. The last question to ask yourself is the following:

Will this CV allow an employer to easily understand what I am capable of?

If the answer is yes, then you are done.

Start Applying

The usefulness of a resume becomes clear only when you submit it to potential employers. Fresh Graduate Job Opportunity in Nigeria

You shouldn’t wait for the perfect resume, five certificates or several years of experience to start submitting your resume. Just go for a position suitable for your skills and improve gradually.

You do it this way:

1. Identify suitable vacancies.
2. Customize your resume.
3. Submit an application.
4. Monitor the status of your applications.
5. Gain experience.

Moreover, it is not necessary to submit resumes to all available positions. A vacancy may seem quite appealing, but it might not suit you.

After you get that first job, managing your salary becomes an important aspect of starting your career.

The point is not to create a misleading image of your experience. The point is to demonstrate the value of your actual experience.

Finally, you have a resume ready. Customize it for a real position, proofread once again, save in the required format and submit your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to create a CV if I don’t have any working experience?

Yes, you can write a CV even if you don’t have any job experience.

You can use your educational background, academic projects, SIWES, internship, NYSC, volunteering, freelancing, personal projects, and certifications to highlight your expertise.

The main idea is to provide only authentic experiences. In other words, it’s absolutely forbidden to create a fake experience, responsibility, or achievement for your CV.

How do I write my CV if I don’t have any experience?

You must pay attention to highlighting your expertise and not making you look like an experienced person.

It’s better to list your contacts, summary of qualifications, educational background, experience, skills, and certifications. Leadership/volunteering experience can also be listed where it makes sense.

It’s up to you to select which CV sections would make your CV stronger. You don’t have to use all CV sections.

How can I write my graduate CV in Nigeria?

Think about the job you want first, and then write your CV according to that.

Make sure you highlight your degree, projects, experience, skills and certifications related to that job. If you’ve done SIWES, internship or NYSC/PPA, mention your role and achievements.

Use an easy-to-understand format, and customize each CV according to the job, rather than sending the same CV to all companies.

Can I put school projects on my CV?

Yes. School projects are very important when you don’t have any professional experience.

For example, you can mention your final year research project, which will help in highlighting your research, data analysis, report writing and presentation skills. Mention your involvement, methods you used and output of that project.

Just mentioning the project title would not be sufficient. You need to show the work that was done through that project.

Should I include SIWES/NYSC on my CV?

Yes, whenever relevant to the job.

Always mention organization name, position held, duration and a couple of bullet points regarding the things you have done during your experience. Your SIWES/internship/NYSC/PPA experience should be considered as your practical experience.

Which skills should I include on my CV without any experience?

Include the skills that you have and that match the requirements of the job you are applying for.

Depending on the position, it can be Microsoft Excel, research, data analysis, report writing, Canva, communication, social media management, etc.

Refer to the job description to know which skills are worth putting emphasis on.

How long should a CV of a graduate be?

Usually, the length of a graduate CV should be just one page.

If you need more than one page for the additional relevant information, use two pages.

Remember that an ideal CV helps the employer to understand who you are and why you would be a suitable candidate for the job.