You have more to put on a CV than you think. Here is how to build a strong first CV even without formal work history.
Every fresh graduate in Kenya faces the same frustrating cycle at some point: entry-level jobs ask for experience, but you cannot get experience without first being hired. The good news is that "no work experience" rarely means you have nothing to put on a CV — it usually means you have not yet learned how to present what you do have.
Recruiters reviewing entry-level and graduate applications do not expect years of formal employment — they are looking for evidence of transferable skills, initiative and reliability. Class projects, industrial attachments, volunteering, student leadership roles, part-time work of any kind, and even significant personal projects all count as legitimate content for a first CV.
When you do not have a strong work history, restructure your CV so the sections that do have strong content appear first. Instead of the standard Work Experience-then-Education order, lead with a short Professional Summary, followed by Education and Key Projects, then Skills, and finally any work-like experience (attachment, internship, part-time work, volunteering) — even if brief.
Especially final-year or capstone projects — describe the project, your specific role, and any tools or methods used, just as you would a job.
Treat this as your primary work experience entry, described in full detail rather than a single line.
Class representative, club treasurer, sports team captain — these demonstrate responsibility and soft skills employers care about.
Community service, church or NGO volunteering, tutoring — genuine, describable contributions, not just a list of organization names.
Free or low-cost online courses (Coursera, Google, HubSpot, ALX) relevant to your target role show initiative and up-to-date skills.
"Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets (data analysis coursework); strong written and verbal communication (developed through 2 years as Class Representative); basic project management (led a 5-person team for final-year capstone project); customer service fundamentals (3 months part-time retail work during university breaks)."
Keep a first CV to one page. A one-page CV packed with relevant, well-described content beats a two-page CV padded with vague filler every time.