How to Create an Attractive CV: A Guide for Students Starting to Build Their Future

The first step towards the world of work or higher education begins, in many cases, with the creation of a good curriculum vitae (CV). At Colegio Internacional de Granada we prepare our students not only to successfully complete their studies but also to confidently face their first experiences in the professional and university fields. Therefore, knowing how to create an attractive CV is an essential tool that is part of our academic guidance.

Whether it’s to apply for a scholarship, join a volunteer program, opt for an internship, or even apply for their first job, knowing how to present oneself correctly in a CV can make all the difference. Below, we offer a practical guide so that students can prepare their first curriculum effectively and confidently.

What is a CV and why is it so important?

The curriculum vitae is a brief document that summarizes your academic background, your skills, achievements, and relevant experiences. It is the first impression that a university, company, or institution will have of you. Therefore, it is essential that it clearly reflects who you are, what you know how to do, and why you are a suitable person for the opportunity you are seeking.

At our institute in Granada, we teach students that a good CV not only focuses on professional experience —which in many cases they do not yet have— but can also include school projects, languages, digital skills, extracurricular activities, and personal competencies, all highly valued by universities and employers.

Basic Structure of an Attractive CV

An effective CV should be visually clean, easy to read, and contain only relevant information. Here is a recommended basic structure:

• Personal data: Name, surname, email address, phone number. (It is not necessary to include national identity document number or full address).
• Personal profile or objective: A brief paragraph summarizing your interests, motivations, and academic or professional goals.
• Academic background: Schools or institutes where you have studied, with dates and completed courses.
• Languages: Specify your level (you can use the Common European Framework: A1-C2).
• Skills and competencies: IT, digital tools, social skills, creativity, leadership, etc.
• Experience (if any): Volunteering, internships, camps, relevant school activities.
• Achievements or certifications: Awards, language certificates, recognitions, Cambridge or Goethe Institut exams.
• Personal interests: Sports, reading, music, travel… thus showing a more human and approachable side.

Tips to Stand Out in Your First CV

Although many students think they have “nothing to put,” the truth is that training at a bilingual school in Granada like ours offers many opportunities to stand out: participation in international projects, exchanges, debates, scientific or artistic activities, etc.

Here are some key tips:

• Be clear and concise: A CV should not exceed one page (two at most). The information should be well organized and easy to scan.
• Adapt your CV to the objective: Applying for a scholarship is not the same as applying for a summer program. Personalize the profile or interests according to what the organization is looking for.
• Use action verbs: I participated, I coordinated, I designed, I presented… these give strength and dynamism to the text.
• Avoid grammatical or spelling errors: Review your writing and ask a teacher or family member to review your CV before sending it.
• Design with good taste: Use clean fonts, balanced margins, and if you wish, incorporate a little color, always professionally.

What are universities or employers looking for in a student?

At a school in Granada like ours, we teach that universities and employers value both academic knowledge and so-called “soft skills,” that is, interpersonal skills such as:

• Teamwork
• Initiative
• Communication
• Responsibility
• Creativity
• Adaptability

Therefore, it is useful for your CV to include specific examples that demonstrate these skills. Did you participate in a group project? Did you lead a presentation? Did you collaborate in a school event? Everything counts.

Tools to Create Your First CV

Today there are many free tools to help you design a professional-looking CV. Some of the most recommended are:

• Canva: Modern templates, easy to edit and with good design.
• Zety: Platform that guides you step by step in creating your CV.
• Europass: Especially recommended if you are interested in studying or working in Europe.
• VisualCV: Ideal for students who want a clean and professional design.

At Colegio Internacional de Granada we teach the use of these tools in specific guidance workshops, helping our students take their first steps in the labor or university environment.

CV in English: an essential tool

As part of our bilingual educational program, we encourage the creation of CVs in English, especially useful for international scholarships, exchanges, internships abroad, or admission processes to universities outside of Spain.

A good CV in English should follow the international structure, take care with terminology, and show your language level (including certificates such as Cambridge, TOEFL, or IELTS). It is also advisable to add a cover letter, adapted to the program or entity it is addressed to.

Conclusion: Your CV, Your Story, Your Future

Your CV is much more than a document: it is a first letter of introduction to the academic and professional world. At Colegio Internacional de Granada, as a school in Granada committed to the future of its students, we offer training, guidance, and constant support so that each student can build a story that reflects their effort, their talent, and their potential.

Start today. Value everything you have done, no matter how small it may seem. Every step counts. And remember: a good CV is not about having more, but about knowing how to show well who you are and everything you can contribute.