Can I build a CV as a fresh graduate with no work experience?

Yes. A fresh graduate CV replaces formal work experience with education, university projects, internships, coursework, and transferable skills. Recruiters hiring for entry-level roles expect this — the key is presenting it with clear structure and measurable outcomes.

Is NextMoveCV really free for fresh graduates?

Yes — 100% free with no hidden plan, no watermark, and no credit card required. You can use all templates, the AI About Me generator, and the cover letter tool at no cost.

What should a fresh graduate put on a CV instead of work experience?

Use these in order of impact: (1) University or final-year projects with specific outcomes, (2) Internships — even 1–2 months count, (3) Part-time or voluntary work, (4) Relevant coursework that matches the job description keywords, (5) Certifications or online courses.

How long should a fresh graduate CV be?

One page. As a fresh graduate, a two-page CV reads as padding. Every line should earn its place. A tight, focused one-pager signals clarity — which is itself a professional skill.

Should a fresh graduate CV be ATS-friendly?

Absolutely. Over 75% of CVs are screened by ATS software before a human reads them. Fresh graduates are filtered out at higher rates because their CVs often use decorative templates with tables, columns, or graphics that ATS systems cannot parse. Use a clean, single-column layout.

What is a CV profile and should I include one as a fresh graduate?

A CV profile (also called an About Me or personal statement) is a 3–5 line summary at the top of your CV. For fresh graduates, it is arguably the most important section — it tells recruiters immediately who you are, what you studied, and what role you want. Without one, your CV forces the reader to search for context.

Can I use a free CV builder when switching careers, or do I need a professional service?

A free CV builder is entirely sufficient for career changers, provided it offers ATS-friendly templates and lets you fully customize the content. The tool matters far less than the strategy behind your CV. What makes a career change CV succeed is how you frame transferable skills and whether your profile section bridges the gap — neither of which requires a paid service. NextMoveCV is 100% free, with no watermarks or hidden plans.

Should I use a functional or chronological CV format when changing careers?

Neither a purely functional nor a purely chronological format works best for career changers. Career coaches and former recruiters widely advise a hybrid (combination) format: a strong skills and summary section at the top, followed by your work history in reverse-chronological order. Purely functional CVs are difficult for ATS systems to parse and can appear evasive to recruiters. The hybrid format gives you the best of both — skill emphasis and transparent history.

How do I explain a career change in my CV profile without it sounding defensive?

Don't explain — position. Instead of writing 'I am looking to transition from X to Y,' write forward-facing language that names your transferable strengths, adds a brief proof point, and states your target role. The CV profile is not the place to justify the pivot; it's the place to make the business case for hiring you. The cover letter is the appropriate place to address your motivation for the change directly.

Will an ATS reject my CV because my job titles are from a different industry?

ATS systems assess keyword match against the job description, not job titles from previous industries in isolation. A career changer with irrelevant-sounding job titles can still achieve a strong ATS match by mirroring the exact language of the job description in the skills section, summary, and experience bullets. The highest-risk ATS mistake for career changers is using the vocabulary of their old field rather than translating experience into the language of the new one.

How long should a career changer's CV be?

One to two pages, depending on total years of experience. If you have under 8 years of work history, one focused page is usually more effective — it forces you to prioritize only what's relevant to the target role. If you have 10+ years across multiple roles with genuinely relevant content to show, two pages is acceptable. The test: does every line on page two actively help your case for the new role? If not, cut it.

Is NextMoveCV actually free for career changers, or does it have a hidden paid tier?

NextMoveCV is 100% free globally — all 26+ templates, the AI About Me generator, and the full cover letter builder are free to use, edit, and download. There is no free trial that expires, no premium plan gate, and no watermark on your finished CV. No credit card is required at any point.

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