How to build a stand-out CV at university

The thought of finding a job after graduation can be overwhelming, especially with growing competition from an increasing number of graduates.  

Building experience into your CV while studying at university is a great way to stand out from the crowd and step into the job market with skills and experiences worthy of your first graduate role. 

Here’s how I built my CV while studying history and international studies at Imo State University, Owerri. 

Join a student community 

One of the ways I make the most out of my university experience is through student groups. Joining groups and volunteering my time on committees helps me to make an active contribution to my community and to develop my leadership and communication skills too.  

One of the student communities that has been most impactful for me is WeeRead Bookclub, a community focused on helping children and teenagers to develop their reading. As secretary of the club, I handled files and documentation, which has taught me how to work better with people and task management.  

Being a member of a student community gives me the opportunity to build valuable relationships too. I've been able to meet and interact with high-profile individuals and grow my network, all outside of the classroom.  

I can add these experiences to my CV to prove that I am proactive, organised and able to make things happen. 

Get a part-time job 

Your education, work experience and skills are the most important part of your CV, because they demonstrate your level of knowledge and ability to take on responsibility in your field.  

While my academic studies are my priority, I did have time to take on a part-time job. Often, applying for part-time work involves an interview which gives me experience in talking about my skills and how I can bring value to a company. Interviews have helped me to understand what employers are looking for, too.  

I applied for a job in the marketing department at tech company, Topnotch, where I conduct market research and think up innovative solutions to customer needs. This role has helped me to develop my critical and creative thinking abilities. The knowledge I’ve gained not only helped me become better at marketing, it improved my literacy and communications skills.  

Now, graduate employers can see that I have the academic knowledge I need and an understanding of the working world, including organisation, time management and working with others.  

Learn a language 

In an increasingly globalised world, language is a must-have-tool for leveraging greater opportunities as a graduate. There are over 7,000 languages spoken all over the world. 23 of those languages are spoken by half of the world’s population. The question is, which language should you learn?  

Different languages are in-demand in different industries, so the choice lies greatly on your career path and where you want to be in the future. I'm learning French because it's highly sought after in international relations graduates. 

There are different ways of learning a new language. You could have lessons in person, hire a tutor or use language apps like Babble and Duolingo. I use the Duolingo app because it makes learning fun and easy, and it allows me to track my progress and learn at my own pace.  

A new language is a tangible skill you can add to your achievements in your CV. 

Volunteer 

Mahatma Gandhi said: ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’  

Volunteering is a rewarding way to build your CV as a student. It gives you the time to come away from your studies and do something completely different, helping others in the process.  

It can be a great way to make a real impact, while developing yourself as a well-rounded person, and meet lots of new and different people that you wouldn’t meet at university. You can add your role as a volunteer to the work experience section on your CV.  

I volunteered as a student ambassador with the Model United Nations (IMUN) and it offered me a platform to develop my diplomatic skills, improve my persuasion and negotiation skills, get a feel of what it is like to work in the UN, develop my understanding of world affairs and to connect with people from diverse groups with similar interests and passion as me. 

Take a professional course 

Taking on additional courses can broaden your horizon and give you a more in-depth knowledge of your specialty. I take professional courses to complement my learning and position myself better for graduate jobs.  

You can often find short courses lasting a couple of hours to a day, or even a few weeks long. Some have accreditation to give you even more credibility in the job market. LinkedIn Academy, Futurelearn, Coursera and Udemy are helpful platforms where you can find different professional courses, and they’re mostly free.   

Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive in learning beyond the core material on their degree. Plus, taking further professional courses can give you more knowledge to take back into the classroom to extend your learning.  

You can add your professional certifications to your skills and achievements in your CV. Or, add a section on ‘Further training’.  

Develop a new skill 

In a competitive graduate world, there's an increased need for students who have new and transferable skills and can take on many different responsibilities.  

These skills could be soft skills like problem-solving, innovative thinking, flexibility, conflict management or listening. Or, they could be hard skills like graphic design, programming, writing, or similar skills related to your chosen field. Either way, employers care about your skills as much as your educational qualifications.   

In my second year at university, I decided to learn copywriting to help improve my storytelling and research skills. I have used my writing skills to curate advertising materials and copy for brands as part of my volunteering work, and in my university projects. 

Learning new skills are good for filling up career breaks in your CV if you're unable to work or participate in extracurricular activities. You can also include them in your CV if you lack sufficient work history.  

Every graduate job requires a solid degree, but what will help you to stand out against the thousands of others? There’re plenty of ways you can fill your CV with experience, skills and personality to help you land a great graduate job.