How to Write Your First HR CV (Even If You Have No Experience)

Starting a career in HR can feel intimidating, especially when you have little to no experience. But everyone has to begin somewhere, and no one expects you to have years of HR experience when applying for your first entry-level role.

It’s important to remember that every skilled HR professional started as a beginner. Building your career takes time, effort, and determination – a well-crafted CV can be a great place to start.

But how do you write your first HR CV when you don’t have any hands-on experience in the field? Don’t worry–we’ve got you covered! In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly how to create a compelling HR CV, even without prior experience.

No Prior HR Experience? No problem!

Before we jump into the steps of crafting your HR CV, let’s address a common concern: is it really a problem to have no HR experience when applying for your first role?

The answer is simple: no, it’s not a problem. When starting out in HR, employers don’t expect you to have years of hands-on experience. After all, if an applicant with decades of HR experience applied for an entry-level position, it would raise questions amongst recruiters!

What employers are really looking for in candidates new to HR are transferable skills and a genuine interest in the people profession. Many entry-level HR roles also look for foundational qualifications, such as the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice, which shows your commitment to developing in the field.

With that in mind, let’s explore how to build your first HR CV and set yourself up for success!

Here's How to Write Your First HR CV:

1. Contact Details

The first section of your CV should focus on providing your contact details. This section is straightforward, offering potential employers the necessary information to get in touch with you. Typically, you should include:

1. Full name
2. Email address
3. Location
4. Phone number

Keep the format clean and simple, using just one clear font throughout your CV. Avoid unnecessary design elements, which can distract from the content, and don't include your full home address unless it is relevant to the job you are applying for. Here's an example:

Mary Maclean

Edinburgh, Scotland

example123@gmail.com | 01234 456 789

2. Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a brief paragraph (usually 3-4 sentences) summarising your strengths, professional interests, and what you offer as an employee. It's located at the top of your CV and can leave a strong first impression on both recruiters and automated applicant tracking systems (ATS). 

Tips for writing a strong personal statement:

1. Highlight transferable skills and your interest in HR
2. Avoid clichés and focus on your unique strengths
3. Align your statement with the role you're applying for

"I am a detail-orientated and proactive individual with a strong background in customer service and team coordination. I’m currently working towards the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate and looking to transition into HR to develop my skills in people management and organisational development."

3. Career History

In this section, list any relevant job roles and experiences that demonstrate the skills you can bring to an HR position. The trick is to examine the transferable skills that you’ve gained in your current role and look at how you can bring them to the role that you’re currently applying for – or to the wider industry.

Do this by checking out the job description for the role that you’re applying for and looking for the key attributes that the role demands. Then create a list of your previous roles and the main skills/attributes that they required, and try to match the skills that you used to the ones that are needed in the role that you’re applying for.

In terms of structure and to make it easier to write, it’s best to break this section down into smaller chunks:

• Job role and employer details
• Dates you worked there
• Summary of role
• Role responsibilities
• Relevant achievements in that role

If you don’t have any career history, put down any volunteering roles that you’ve performed in the past or any work experience sessions or internships that you’ve completed. Here's an example:

Administrative Marketing Assistant, A Company, Edinburgh, UK

February 2018 – Present

I am responsible for providing administrative support to the marketing team across events, brand partnerships, and digital campaigns.

Key responsibilities:

• Creating performance reports
• Invoicing clients
• Arranging travel and accommodation
• Arranging internal meetings
• Monitoring an email inbox

4. Education History

Your education section provides insight into your academic background and any qualifications you’ve gained. List relevant degrees, certifications, and training programmes. If you’re new to HR, make sure to emphasise any industry-specific qualifications like CIPD certifications, which are highly regarded by employers. Consider including:

1. Where you studied
2. When you studied there
3. What you studied
4. The qualifications and grades you achieved
5. Any relevant awards or achievements

Example:

CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice (Level 3)
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development | June 2021 – Present
(Expected completion: March 2022)

BA (Hons) in Communication Studies
University of Bath | September 2008 – June 2012
(2:1)

Note: Remember to list any qualifications you are currently studying or have completed. For example, if you’re pursuing the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate, this signals your dedication to developing HR skills, even if you haven’t worked in HR yet.

5. Interests and Hobbies

Adding your hobbies can sometimes provide potential employers with valuable insight into your personality, skills, and how you might fit into their workplace culture. It's important, however, to remember that space on your CV is limited, so if you decide to include your hobbies, make sure they are relevant to the role or industry you are applying for.

Hobbies should add value to your application, not just fill space. If they don’t contribute meaningfully to your CV or demonstrate any qualities that are beneficial to the role you're applying for, it's better to leave them out.

For example, if you're applying for an HR role, including hobbies such as volunteering or organising charity events could be incredibly valuable, as they demonstrate qualities like empathy, leadership, and organisational skills.

Here’s how to successfully add hobbies and interests onto your resume:

Focus on transferable skills: Think about how your hobbies demonstrate key transferable skills that are important for the role. For example, team sports can indicate strong teamwork and communication skills, while musical activities like playing an instrument can suggest creativity, focus, and attention to detail.

Showcase personal qualities: Some hobbies provide insight into your personal qualities, which can help you stand out as a candidate. For instance, if you enjoy gardening, it could show that you're patient, methodical, and have a long-term approach to problem-solving. If you're into solo sports like running or swimming, it could indicate self-motivation, discipline, and a strong work ethic.

Positioning yourself as a strong candidate: Consider how your hobbies align with the company culture or the demands of the role. If the employer is seeking someone with a strong work-life balance or creative thinking, hobbies like yoga, art, or writing could support this narrative. If the role requires high energy and adaptability, showing an interest in travel or extreme sports could demonstrate your adventurous spirit and ability to handle change.

Example of a Well-Crafted Hobbies Section:

“I play football for Portobello Beach United and am currently captain for the Women’s First Team. I’ve been named ‘Woman of the Match’ five times, demonstrating my leadership and teamwork skills.”
“I enjoy painting and have exhibited at Tramway, Glasgow. This hobby reflects my creativity and attention to detail.”

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