Graduate CV Example: First Job After University
A full recent graduate CV example in UK format with a degree, placement year and part-time work, plus profile examples and graduate scheme tips.
Last updated: 4/10/2026 · Author: MojCV Team · Reviewed by: HR Specialists
Last updated: 4/10/2026
Author: MojCV Team · Reviewed by: HR Specialists
Graduate CV example
A complete sample for a recent graduate with a 2:1, a placement year, and part-time work. Use it to see how a degree, a placement, and projects share one page.
Ethan Walsh
Accounting and Finance Graduate
Skills
Licenses & Certifications
Languages
Accounting and Finance graduate (2:1) with a year-long placement in a mid-sized finance team and strong Excel skills. Accurate, organized, and a clear communicator, looking for a graduate role in accounting or finance.
Work Experience
- Supported a finance team of eight with accounts payable, bank reconciliations, and month-end journals.
- Built an Excel tracker that cut weekly reporting time by two hours.
- Processed around 120 supplier invoices a week with no unresolved errors in audit.
- Presented a cost-saving idea to the finance director, which was added to the next budget review.
- Worked evening and event shifts while studying, serving customers and handling payments.
- Promoted to team leader and trained 6 new staff.
Education
- Four-year course with a placement year. Modules: Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, Auditing, and Taxation.
Projects
- Analyzed cash flow practices in 40 small businesses using survey data and Excel.
- Awarded a first-class mark for the dissertation.
Volunteering
- Helped around 25 people a season prepare simple tax forms under supervision.
Courses & Training
- PivotTables, lookups, and financial modelling basics.
One click opens this exact CV in the editor, with every job, skill, and qualification filled in. Change the name, the roles, and the results, switch to any template, and download your own PDF. No account and no email needed.
Graduate CV example and writing guide
Below is a full graduate CV in UK format, followed by profile examples, how to present a degree and placement year, the skills to list, and stronger wording for your bullet points. In the US the same document is called a graduate resume, and the structure is the same. You can also open this exact CV in the free editor, change it to fit you, and download it as your own PDF.
- Best for
- Recent graduates and final-year students applying for graduate schemes and first full-time jobs
- Format
- Reverse-chronological, one to two pages, PDF
Why this graduate CV works
The placement carries the page
A year in a real finance team, with a time saved and an error-free record, matters more than part-time work to a graduate recruiter.
The degree is specific
A 2:1, named modules, and a dissertation with a result show subject knowledge, not only a title.
Extra qualifications show drive
AAT Level 3 alongside a degree shows initiative and a head start in accountancy.
Graduate CV profile examples
The profile (also called a personal statement in the UK) is the short paragraph at the top of your CV. Write your job title, your experience, the type of work you do, and one result. Pick the example closest to your level and change the details. For more detail, see how to write a CV summary.
History graduate (2:1) with strong research and writing skills, seeking a graduate role in communications. Led a student magazine team and completed a summer internship at a local council.
Graduate profile: no relevant experience
Accounting and Finance graduate (2:1) with a year-long finance placement and strong Excel skills. Accurate, organized, and looking for a graduate role in accounting.
Graduate profile: with placement year
Computer Science graduate (First) with a final-year project in machine learning and two internships. Strong in Python and SQL, and looking for a graduate software role.
Graduate profile: STEM graduate
Biology graduate moving into data analysis after completing an online data course and a portfolio of three projects. Careful, curious, and strong with numbers.
Graduate profile: career changer
May graduate with a BS in Marketing (3.6 GPA) and two internships in digital marketing. Skilled in analytics and content, and looking for an entry-level marketing coordinator role.
Graduate profile: US recent graduate
Skills for a graduate CV
Advanced Excel
PivotTables, lookups, and trackers that save time.
Bank Reconciliations
Matching records and explaining differences.
Accounts Payable
Processing invoices accurately and on time.
Financial Reporting Basics
Understanding management accounts and financial statements.
Sage and Xero
Accounting software you have actually used.
Data Analysis
Working with survey or business data to find answers.
Presenting
Explaining findings clearly to senior people.
Teamwork
Working with a team on placement and in group projects.
Soft skills for graduates: clear writing, working well in a team, and learning quickly. Show them through your placement, projects, and results instead of listing them. For the full picture, see what skills to include on a CV.
What to put in the education section of a graduate CV
Your degree comes first. Employers want to see the classification, the subject, and anything that sets you apart.
UK
- Degree title, university, years, and classification, such as 2:1 or First.
- Dissertation title and result, if it is relevant to the job.
- Relevant modules, kept to three or four lines.
- Highers, A-levels, or BTECs: list subjects and grades in one line.
US and international
- Degree, major, university, graduation date, and GPA if it is 3.5 or above.
- Honors, Dean List, and relevant coursework.
- Study abroad or research experience, if relevant.
How to list them
- Put education first for a graduate scheme, and work first if you have strong placement experience.
- Add professional qualifications such as AAT in a separate line or section.
- Keep it to one page for most graduate roles, or two if you have a placement year.
Graduate CV bullet points for placements and projects
Use these lines as a base, then change the details to match your workplace and results.
Placement and work
- Supported a finance team with accounts payable, reconciliations, and month-end journals.
- Built an Excel tracker that cut weekly reporting time by two hours.
- Processed around 120 supplier invoices a week with no unresolved errors in audit.
- Presented an idea to a director that was added to the budget review.
Study and activities
- Analyzed data from 40 businesses for a dissertation and earned a first-class mark.
- Helped around 25 people prepare simple tax forms as a volunteer under supervision.
- Led a team of six in a student union bar and trained new staff.
- Completed a professional accounting qualification alongside the degree.
Weak and strong graduate CV bullet points
Many CVs list tasks. Scope and results make yours easier to trust.
Did a placement year
Supported a finance team of eight with accounts payable, reconciliations, and month-end journals for a year.
Good with Excel
Built an Excel tracker that cut weekly reporting time by two hours.
Wrote a dissertation
Analyzed cash flow practices in 40 small businesses and earned a first-class mark for the dissertation.
Worked while studying
Promoted to team leader in a student union bar and trained 6 new staff.
Graduate CV with little work experience
Many graduates have little full-time work experience, and employers know it. Lead with your degree, projects, internships, and any part-time work, and show the skills they built.
Checklist for a graduate CV
- Put your degree, classification, and dissertation at the top
- Add placements, internships, and part-time work with results
- List skills that match the graduate scheme advert
- Include professional qualifications or online courses
- Keep it to one page, or two with a placement year
Graduate CV format and length
Use reverse-chronological order and one page, or two if you have a placement year. Put education first for graduate schemes. Save it as a PDF unless the employer asks for Word. For the standard order, see the sections of a CV and the order to put them in, and how long a CV should be.
Graduate CV FAQ
How do I write a graduate CV?
Start with a short profile, then your degree, placements or internships, part-time work, skills, and projects. Keep it to one or two pages.
Should I put my degree classification on my CV?
Yes, if it is a 2:1 or First. For a 2:2 or lower, list your subject and modules and let experience carry the CV.
How long should a graduate CV be?
One page for most roles, and two at most if you have a placement year and strong experience.
Should education or experience come first for a graduate?
Education first for graduate schemes and if your experience is short. Experience first if you have a strong placement.
What if I have no relevant work experience?
Use projects, internships, societies, volunteering, and part-time work. Show the skills each one built.
Do graduates need a personal statement?
Yes. A two-line profile at the top saying who you are and what role you want makes the CV easier to read.
Looking for more? See all student CV examples and guides.
Build your graduate CV
Use this structure as your baseline, then tailor your experience and results to each job description.
Explore other CV examples
- Accountant CV Example: Profile, Skills & Qualifications
- Airline Pilot CV Example: Profile, Skills & Experience
- Barista CV Example: Profile, Skills & Experience
- Cashier CV Example: Profile, Skills & Experience
- Chef and Cook CV Example: Profile, Skills & Experience
- Computer Science Student CV Example: Projects, Skills and Placement