CV Examples for Students (With Fill-In Template)

College student CV example

This undergraduate CV example shows how to make a strong case for yourself using the experience you already have. Highlight your most relevant qualifications, present them with confidence, and show how your skills and interests connect to the role you’re pursuing.

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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.

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Internship CV example

When applying for internships, focus your CV on relevant coursework, academic projects, and skills that match the internship’s requirements.

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Grad school CV example

On a CV for a grad school application, emphasize your academic achievements and research experience.

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Academic CV example

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

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

Academic CVs are typically longer than standard CVs and should include more detail about your scholarly achievements and contributions to your field.

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Research CV example

If you’re applying for a research role, include your relevant research projects, conference presentations, publications, and lab work on your CV.

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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

Here are some tips to help you start writing your CV.

1. Include the right sections

CVs are flexible, so you can adjust the layout to highlight your strengths (whether that’s academics, extracurriculars, or projects), especially if you lack formal work experience.

Start with the following core sections, then add optional sections that help you showcase your potential

Necessary sections for a student CV

Your CV should always include these core sections:

• Contact information: Name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile (if relevant), and city/state.
• Education: Degree, university name, (expected) graduation date, GPA (if 3.5+), relevant coursework, academic honors.
• Experience: Internships, part-time jobs, volunteering, leadership roles.

Optional sections for a student CV

Depending on what you want to emphasize, adding optional sections can strengthen your CV and help it stand out:

• Personal statement: 2–4 sentence introduction highlighting your academic focus, career goals, and key strengths.
• Skills: Technical and role-relevant hard skills.
• Certifications: Licenses, short courses, or certifications that align with your target role.
• Extracurricular activities: Student government, clubs, sports, or event planning roles.
• Projects: Academic/personal/freelance projects that show skills in action.
• Awards and honors: Scholarships, academic awards, or other forms of recognition.
• Publications: Particularly useful for writing or research-heavy fields.
• Languages: Include your proficiency level if you’re multilingual.

2. Expand your education section

As a student, your education is likely your strongest asset, so make sure your education section stands out by listing all of the details relevant to the job, such as:

• Academic honors like cum laude or making the Dean’s list
• Awards or scholarships
• Relevant coursework
• Projects

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

3. Detail your relevant experience

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

This format helps you highlight internships, volunteer work, part-time jobs, and academic projects that prove you can do the work.

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

Under each experience, use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements. Prioritize skills that match the position, and include quantifiable results whenever possible to show scope and impact.

Here’s an example of a relevant experience section:

4. Include skills from non-work responsibilities

Even if your paid work experience is limited, you’ve likely developed valuable transferable skills through your studies, extracurricular activities, and 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

Start by reviewing the job description and identifying the skills that you have. Then, list these skills on your CV.

Here are some common skills that can strengthen your CV as a student:

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

From classroom to career

Our AI-powered CV builder helps you highlight your education, projects, and skills — even without years of work experience.

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Frequently asked questions about student CVs

Here are the answers to some common questions students have about writing a CV:

Is a resume the same as a CV?

Some people use “resume” and “CV” interchangeably, but in the U.S., a resume is typically one page and tailored for job applications, while a CV is longer, more detailed, and most often used for academic or research positions.

How do I write a CV with no experience?

Here’s how to write a CV with no experience as a student:

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

Include volunteer work, extracurriculars, sports teams, clubs, leadership roles, and major school projects. These additions demonstrate qualities like responsibility, teamwork, and commitment — qualities employers value highly.

Add skills you’ve developed through school, activities, or personal projects. For example, communication skills from presentations, organizational skills from managing schoolwork, or technical skills from computer classes or academic projects.

What is a simple CV format?

A simple CV format starts with contact information, followed by a brief 2–3 sentence summary. Then, organize sections by importance:

• Education
• Relevant Experience
• Skills
• Additional relevant sections

Use dark text on a white background, avoid graphics, bright colors, or elaborate formatting (unless you’re applying in a creative field), and save your CV as a PDF to preserve formatting.

Does a CV need a photo?

No. In the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, you should not include a photo on your CV unless a job posting specifically requests it.

How long should a CV be?

A CV should be 1–2 pages long. With limited experience, you can easily create a strong one-page CV.

Quality matters more than length: a concise, well-organized one-page CV is stronger than a two-page CV filled with irrelevant information. Employers often scan a CV quickly, so every word counts.

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