How to write work experience on a CV for training contracts/vacation schemes

I’ve already suggested it’s best to stick to prose for work experience in an application form in this article.

Here’s an example of what works well.

Generic Coffee Shop (Server)               March ‘24 - Dec ‘24

• Worked full time in a busy city centre independent coffee shop.

• Took customer orders, explained menu options and resolved queries. 

• Worked effectively with a range of servers/kitchen staff to fulfil orders to target timeframes. 

• Responsible for shop hygiene, counting stock, cashing up and shop closing processes.

• Deputised for the manager when they took breaks.

• Maintained a working knowledge of ingredients to advise customers with allergies. 

• Regularly achieved the highest weekly amount in tips from customers.

• Suggested coffee deals which drove sales up by 15% within 3 months.

The key things to take away are it:

1. Sets out the context of the experience straight away 

Don’t expect someone reading your CV  to understand where you’ve worked and what you’ve done, especially if the company or the role isn’t well known. To be safe, use the first bullet point to explain a bit about the company you worked for.

2. Focuses on responsibilities rather than listing skills/abilities.

Whilst it’s tempting to start listing skills law firms typically look for in trainees or are mentioned on their website, you can rely on recruiters to infer skills from your responsibilities. For instance, saying “Used strong communication skills to take customer orders, explain menu options and resolve queries”  is unnecessary. It is obvious that taking customer orders, explaining menu options, and resolving queries relys upon effective communication skills. 

3. Shows an ability to hold positions of responsibility.

Law firms like prospective trainees who have a track record of handling positions of responsibility so listing elements of your role where you were given real responsibility looks great. Here, counting stock, deputising for the manager and cashing up demonstrates responsibility. 

4. Records an achievement.

Always try to think of something you’ve achieved in your role because it shows you were good at the job. Here, there’s a reference to regularly obtaining the highest number of tips. 

5. There’s a hint of commercial awareness 

If you can demonstrate commercial awareness in a role, that could signal to firms that you have business acumen. Here, suggesting a coffee deal that increased sales does that.

6. Most bullet points are one-liners

Finally, keep each bullet point brief and don’t insert too many bullet points per experience. Instead, think of the key message you’re trying to get out per bullet point. It can be off-putting to a reader if they see multiple lines per bullet point, and your CV just looks like huge paragraphs of text per experience.  Remember - the cover letter or competency/motivation questions will be the opportunity to expand on your experiences, so don’t feel too concerned if you haven’t been able to get every element of your role in. Just ensure you have the big hitters/key responsibilities and achievements set out.