How to Write a CV for a Graduate Scheme (UK): Structure, Evidence and Commercial Awareness

Graduate scheme applications in the UK are among the most competitive in the job market. A major graduate employer may receive 80,000 applications for 300 places. Your CV has one job: pass the initial screen and get you to the next stage.

What makes a graduate scheme CV different

Graduate scheme recruiters are not looking for someone who has already done the job. They are looking for evidence of potential:

• Education goes first — your degree is the primary qualification
• Competencies matter more than job titles — a part-time retail job evidences leadership if written correctly
• Commercial awareness is expected — knowledge of the employer's sector, competitors, and recent business news
• Tailoring to the employer's framework is non-negotiable — most large graduate employers publish their competency framework. Mirror its language.

Structure for a graduate scheme CV

1. Personal statement (4-5 sentences)

Open with:

• Your degree subject and classification (or predicted grade)
• One or two experiences that evidence your fit for this employer's sector
• A specific statement about why this employer — not generic

"Final-year Economics student at the University of Leeds, on course for a 2:1, with a focus on financial markets and behavioural economics. Completed a summer internship at a regional IFA supporting client portfolio analysis — an experience that confirmed my interest in financial services from the client perspective. Applying to [Firm]'s Graduate Finance Programme specifically because of its rotation structure across wealth management and investment advisory."

2. Education

List in reverse chronological order: university first, A-levels, then GCSEs.

For each degree entry include:

• University name and degree title
• Classification (actual or predicted)
• Relevant modules — 3-5 that directly relate to the scheme
• Dissertation title if relevant
• Academic prizes or scholarships if applicable

GCSEs: summarise as "10 GCSEs at grades A*-B including Maths (A*) and English (A)."

3. Experience

List every relevant experience:

• Part-time jobs (retail, hospitality, customer service, admin)
• Placements, internships, or insight days
• Voluntary work and community involvement
• Society roles and student committees
• Leadership positions (sports captain, society president, peer mentor)

For each entry, write two to three bullet points showing what you did, how, and with what result. Aim for at least one quantified outcome per role.

"Managed weekly rota for a team of 9 as shift supervisor, adjusting staffing in response to real-time footfall data — reduced overstaffing costs by an estimated 15% across the Christmas trading period."

4. Skills

Include software tools, languages with accurate proficiency, and relevant certifications (Google Analytics, Bloomberg Market Concepts, CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting).

5. Interests and activities

More important for graduate schemes than any other application type. Include:

• Sport at a competitive level, team captaincy, or significant challenges
• Academic interests outside your degree
• Anything showing sustained commitment over time

How to evidence competencies with no full-time work history

Read the employer's competency framework before writing your CV. Then ask: which competency does each bullet evidence?

Commercial awareness: what it is and how to show it

How to build it:

• Follow the employer's sector in the FT, BBC Business, or industry publications
• Research the employer's annual report — note revenue, strategy, and priorities
• Identify 2-3 competitors and understand how the employer is differentiated
• Know one or two macro trends affecting the sector

How to show it on your CV:

"Member of the Leeds University Investment Society, managing a notional portfolio of £50k and presenting quarterly investment theses to a panel — developed understanding of sector rotation strategies and equity valuation."

Formatting rules

• Length: two pages maximum. One page if you have limited experience.
• File format: PDF — formatting shifts in Word across systems.
• Tailoring: every application should have a different personal statement.
• Spell-check: read it aloud, give it to someone else, then check again. Graduate employers reject CVs with typos.

Frequently asked questions

Should I include my A-level grades even if they are not strong?

Yes — omitting them raises a red flag. Check whether the employer has a contextual admissions policy if your grades are below the published minimum.

What if I have a 2:2 or below?

Focus your applications on employers that explicitly welcome 2:2 graduates and write a particularly strong personal statement addressing any mitigating circumstances honestly.

How specific should I be about why I want this graduate scheme?

Extremely specific. Name the programme features, recent initiatives, or sector developments that genuinely attract you.