To write a CV for a tech job with no experience, use a clean one-page layout that leads with a short profile, your technical skills and two to four projects with measurable results, followed by education, certifications and any transferable experience. Recruiters spend only seconds on a first scan, and many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that read your CV before a person does. This guide shows you exactly what to include and how to format it.
Key takeaways
- Projects are your experience when you have no tech job history.
- Keep it to one page, in a simple format that ATS software can read.
- Tailor your skills and keywords to each job description.
- Leave out photos, date of birth, marital status and religion unless an employer specifically asks.
The ideal structure
- Header: name, city and country, phone, professional email, LinkedIn URL, GitHub or portfolio link
- Profile (2 to 3 lines): who you are, your focus and what you offer
- Technical skills: grouped by category
- Projects: your strongest section when you lack experience
- Experience: any jobs, internships, volunteering or freelancing, focusing on transferable skills
- Education
- Certifications and training
Section by section
Profile
Weak: “Hardworking graduate seeking an opportunity to grow.”
Strong: “Junior data analyst skilled in Excel, SQL and Power BI. Built three dashboards analysing public economic and retail data. Looking to help a fintech team turn data into decisions.”
Technical skills
Group them so they are easy to scan:
- Languages: Python, JavaScript, SQL
- Tools: Git, Figma, Power BI
- Platforms: AWS (Cloud Practitioner), Google Workspace
List only skills you can discuss in an interview.
Projects
For each project, include a name, a link, the tools used and one or two bullet points showing the problem and the result:
- Naira Exchange Rate Dashboard (Power BI, SQL), link: built an interactive dashboard tracking exchange rate trends over five years; reduced manual reporting time for a family business from hours to minutes.
- Mobile Money Onboarding Redesign (Figma), link: interviewed six users and redesigned sign-up, cutting steps from nine to five in usability tests.
Need project ideas? See How to Become a Data Analyst, How to Become a UX Designer and How to Learn Coding for Free.
Experience and transferable skills
Non-tech jobs still show valuable skills. Use action verbs and results:
- “Managed customer enquiries for a retail shop, resolving most issues on first contact” shows customer support skills
- “Tracked weekly sales in Excel for a family business” shows data skills
- “Coordinated a 200-person church event” shows project management
Certifications
Include relevant ones with the issuer and year, such as the Google Career Certificates or cloud certifications. Courses without assessments can go under “Training”.
Make it ATS-friendly
- Use a simple single-column layout with standard headings
- Avoid tables, text boxes, images and icons for key information
- Use common fonts and save as PDF unless the employer asks for Word
- Mirror relevant keywords from the job description naturally
- Name the file clearly, for example “Ada-Okafor-Data-Analyst-CV.pdf”
Common mistakes
- Going over one page at entry level
- Listing every course you have ever started
- Rating skills with stars or percentages, which mean nothing to recruiters
- Including personal details such as photo, age, religion or state of origin
- Using an unprofessional email address
- Sending the same CV to every job
- Spelling and grammar errors; ask someone to proofread
Using AI to help
AI assistants can suggest stronger wording and spot gaps, but do not let them invent experience or skills. Recruiters will test what you claim. Remove personal details before pasting your CV into public tools; see how to use AI safely.
Frequently asked questions
Should a tech CV be one or two pages?
At entry level, one page. Experienced professionals may use two.
Should I include a photo on my CV?
Generally no, especially for international roles, unless the employer requests one.
What if I have no projects yet?
Build one or two small projects before applying. Even a simple, well-documented project shows initiative and skill.
Pair your CV with a strong online presence using our LinkedIn profile tips, then find openings in tech internships and remote jobs that pay in dollars.
