School-leaver CV template
Use this example to turn school, short placements, volunteering and activities into clear evidence for a first job or apprenticeship.
Read the example as text
Profile
Reliable school leaver who enjoys helping customers and keeping shared spaces organised. Built confidence handling stock, simple payments and questions during a retail placement and school events. Looking for a customer service apprenticeship or retail assistant role with structured training and responsibility.
Education
GCSEs | Taffside Community School | 2024–2026
English Language B, Mathematics B, Double Award Science BC, Business B, Geography C, Welsh Second Language C
Completed a Business enterprise project: worked in a team of five to price, promote and sell reusable drinks bottles, recording a £146 surplus for the school charity fund.
Experience
Retail Work Experience | Willow Street Books, Cardiff | February 2026
Welcomed customers, found titles using the shop catalogue and referred complex requests to a colleague.
Priced and shelved deliveries accurately and kept displays tidy.
Observed cash and card transactions, then completed supervised low-value sales.
Volunteer Refreshment Assistant | Taffside Community School | September 2024–present
Set up stalls for concerts and sports evenings and served visitors politely during busy periods.
Counted stock before and after events and reported totals to the supervising teacher.
Neighbourhood car washing | Summers 2024 and 2025
Arranged bookings, brought supplies and completed agreed work on time for regular local customers.
Skills
Friendly face-to-face communication
Basic cash handling and stock counting
Punctuality and following instructions
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Google Workspace
Conversational Welsh
Interests and achievements
Cardiff Youth Badminton Club member; attend weekly training and helped welcome new junior members. Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award, including volunteering and a team expedition.
Fictional example for a retail assistant / customer service apprentice. Replace every detail with your own. The PDF shows the download layout.
How to use this template
Use what you have done
School projects, caring responsibilities, clubs, informal paid work and volunteering can all show useful skills when described truthfully.
Name the behaviour
Connect each activity to evidence such as punctuality, accurate counting, teamwork or helping a customer.
Give grades clearly
Include achieved grades and label predicted grades honestly if you have not received results.
Ask before naming a referee
A teacher, placement supervisor or community leader may be suitable, but get permission before sharing their details.