CV Examples for Students (With Fill-In Template)

Below, we’ve included several CV examples, a fill-in template, and writing tips to help you write a compelling CV – even if you have no work experience.

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Student CV example

A student CV should highlight your educational background, relevant experience, and key skills that make you a strong candidate.

Below is an undergraduate CV example. When writing your own, tailor the content to suit the specific role or opportunity you’re pursuing.

Download This Student CV Example

High school student CV example

As a high school student, your CV should focus on your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and any volunteer work or part-time jobs you’ve held.

Download This High School CV Example

Internship CV example

As a student, gaining internship experience in your chosen field can give you a huge advantage when applying for your first job after graduation.

When applying for internships, your CV should emphasize your relevant coursework, academic projects, and any skills that align with the internship requirements.

Download This Internship CV Example

Grad school CV example

A grad school CV should emphasize your academic achievements, research experience, and scholarly activities.

Download This Grad School CV Example

Academic CV example

An academic CV is typically used for positions in academia or research and is more detailed than a standard CV.

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Include information about any grants, fellowships, or funding you’ve received. List your professional memberships, academic honors, and relevant skills such as languages or specialized research techniques.

An academic CV can be longer than a standard CV, so feel free to provide more detail about your scholarly achievements and contributions to your field.

Download The Full Academic CV Example

Research CV example

If you’re applying to graduate school or for a research assistant role or position in an academic lab, then a research CV is the ideal format for showcasing your qualifications.

Include all research projects, undergraduate research, independent studies, and lab work.
You should also list any conference presentations or publications.

Download This Research CV Example

CV template for students

Here’s a student CV template you can use when applying for jobs or internships:

How to write a student CV

To help you get started writing your CV, here are 3 tips for student job seekers.

1. Include all relevant sections

Your undergraduate CV should highlight what type of student you are while avoiding unnecessary details. Always include the essential sections such as your:

• Contact information
• Professional summary
• Education
• Relevant experience

You can then add as many additional sections you like, as long as they’re relevant to the position or specifically requested in the job listing, such as:

• Technical and soft skills
• Academic and personal projects
• Certifications
• Languages
• Extra-curricular activities
• References

This undergraduate added references to their CV because the position application requested it.

2. Expand upon your education section

As a student, your education is likely your strongest asset, so make sure you expand upon your education section. List any details relevant to the job, including:

• Academic honors like cum laude
• Dean’s list
• Your GPA (if it’s 3.5 or above)
• Awards or scholarships
• Relevant coursework
• Projects

Here’s a great example of an education section for an aspiring journalist:

3. Use a “relevant experience” section

Instead of a traditional work experience section, create a “relevant experience” section and include only roles or projects that directly relate to the position you’re applying for.

This approach lets you include internships, volunteer work, part-time jobs, and even academic projects that are relevant to the position you’re targeting.

Quality over quantity: Early-career academics often feel the pressure to amass as many publications or teaching experiences as possible. Instead, focus on fewer but significant contributions that you can speak passionately about.

Dr. Andrew Stapleton of Academia Insider

For each experience, use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Focus on transferable skills and quantifiable results whenever possible.

This helps demonstrate your qualifications even if you lack extensive formal work experience.

Here’s an example of a relevant experience section:

4. Focus on your transferable skills

No matter your previous experience, you’ve likely developed valuable transferable skills through your studies, extracurricular activities, and work or volunteer experience.

Transferable skills: Highlight any non-academic experience that has equipped you with skills relevant to research, teaching, or service.

Dr. Andrew Stapleton of Academia Insider

Identify the skills from the job description that match your skill set and list them on your CV.

While your skills section should be tailored to the position you’re applying for, here are some common transferable skills that can strengthen your CV:

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Data analysis (Excel, R, SPSS)
• Image editing software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Statistical analysis
• Negotiation
• Customer service
• Conflict resolution
• Time management
• Project management
• Research skills
• Presentation skills
• Public speaking

Additional resources

We’ve compiled a list of resources you may find helpful when writing your student CV:

• CV format examples and guide
• Academic CV
• How to write a CV
• CV examples
• CV templates
• CV builder
• How to list publications
• How to list references on your CV
• How long should a CV be?
• CVs vs cover letters
• What to include in a CV in 2025

Frequently asked questions about student CVs

Here are some common questions about student CVs:

What is a CV vs. a resume?

A resume is typically one page and tailored for job applications while a CV is longer, more detailed, and commonly used for academic or research positions.

How do I write a CV for a 16 year old with no experience?

Even if you lack experience, you can highlight your enthusiasm to learn.

Begin with your strengths and education — include your current school, expected graduation date, relevant coursework, and academic achievements. Add your GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher.

Include volunteer work, extracurricular activities, sports teams, clubs, leadership roles, and significant school projects to demonstrate qualities like responsibility, teamwork, and commitment – qualities employers value highly.

Add skills you’ve developed through school, activities, or personal projects. These might include communication skills from presentations, organizational skills from managing schoolwork, or technical skills gained through computer classes or personal interests.

What is a simple CV format?

A simple CV format starts with your contact information at the top, followed by a brief professional summary (2-3 sentences). Then, organize the remaining sections by importance: Education, Relevant Experience, Skills, and additional relevant sections.

Use dark text on white background for a clean, professional look. Avoid graphics, bright colors, or elaborate formatting unless you’re in a creative field where design skills matter. Save your CV as a PDF to ensure the formatting stays intact.

For most student applications, keep your CV to 1–2 pages. Include only information that’s relevant to the role or highlights valuable skills.

Is a CV a cover letter?

No, a CV and cover letter are separate documents, each serving a distinct purpose in your job application.

Your CV outlines your education, experience, skills, and achievements. It offers a clear, factual overview of your background and qualifications, organized into sections with bullet points for easy reading.

A cover letter is a personalized, one-page narrative that explains why you’re interested in a specific role and how your background makes you a strong candidate.

In other words, your CV provides the “what” – what you’ve done, studied, and accomplished. Your cover letter explains the “why” and “how” – why you want the position and how your experience makes you a strong fit.

Does a CV need a photo?

No, you should not include a photo on your CV — especially for applications in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom — unless it’s specifically requested in the job posting.

How long should a CV be?

Keep your student CV to a maximum of 1–2 pages. With limited work experience, you should be able to present your qualifications effectively within this length. Focus on quality content rather than trying to fill space.

It’s better to have a strong, concise one-page CV than a weak two-page CV filled with irrelevant information. Employers often spend only 6–10 seconds on an initial CV review, every word should count.