With A-level results coming out today, hundreds of thousands of students will be considering what their next step should be.

An increasing number of 18-year-olds are expected to opt out of higher education and enter the world of work this year. 

Some don't think a degree is needed to get a good job, while others may be concerned about university fees.  

Recent data from UCAS shows that the university application rate for school leavers has fallen for the past two years. Some 41.9 per cent applied to start this autumn, down from 42.1 per cent last year and 44.1 per cent in 2022.

For those making their first foray into the jobs market, a good starting point is to put together a winning CV. 

Doing so can not only help to get you ready for making job applications, it can also give you an idea of what skills and experience you have, and where you can make improvements.

But how do you build a CV that employers won't cast aside, and what can you do to become more employable?

What is a CV?

A CV is an opportunity to set out your skills and experience when you apply for a job, and give you - and the employer - something to refer back to during later stages of an application.

Standing for curriculum vitae, meaning 'course of life', you CV sums up your life to date, bringing together everything from your education to your achievements and hobbies.

With recruiters often facing hundreds of CVs for open roles, it is essential that yours stands out and sells you as a potential candidate.

What are employers looking for?

With an inbox full of CVs, half the battle is making sure yours isn't discarded immediately.

Firstly, your CV must be both easy to read, with simple fonts, bullet points and defined sections. No employer is likely to dwell long on a wall of text, so save the detail for your cover letter.

Equally essential is avoiding spelling mistakes. Your best bet is to ask someone to proof-read your CV for you, as spell-check won't spot all mistakes and a fresh pair of eyes will help to root out any errors.

Once you have a basic CV in place, it is important to tailor it to each job you apply to. This ensures that the experience and skills you are showing the recruiter are relevant to the job in question.

Natalie Matalon, chief people officer at Totaljobs, said: 'Employers seek relevance, clarity, and consistency in a CV. They appreciate a clear, concise format that aligns with the job description and includes a brief personal statement at the top to quickly grasp your profile.'

In most cases this won't require significant changes to the document, and it will also prevent your CV from immediately ending up in the shredder.

Matt Collingwood, managing director of recruitment agency VIQU IT Recruitment, told This is Money: 'When I have employed school leavers in the past, it's because they had something in their CV that caught my eye and impressed me. It was something that not every other school leaver could include.

'Experiences and skills that have clearly been sought with a particular career direction or motivation in mind, show the kind of employee that a school leaver could be.'

Depending on the kind of industry you're hoping to work in, taking a multimedia approach to your CV could also impress a future boss. 

If you're looking for a job that involves design or social media, for example, you could create a visual CV using a video or website. 

'Consider going above and beyond to stand out,' says Matalon. 'Support your written professional summary with a video link where you talk about why you're the ideal candidate, or create a visual portfolio of work you've done.'

How can I improve my CV?

Having just left school, you are unlikely to have much employment experience.

If you have a part-time job, this is unlikely to be in your chosen industry. But even so, there may be transferrable skills that could apply to jobs you are applying for. These could include dealing with customers, using specific software or even turning up to work on time.

If you want to go even further, seeking relevant work experience or volunteering can prove a good way of making up for a shortfall in your experience of being employed.

Volunteering opportunities can often be found in areas such as charities, teaching or sports clubs.

Emily Maguire, career consultant at Reflections Career Coaching, says: 'Internships and volunteer placements can help make school leavers more employable. They allow you to learn valuable, transferable skills and show employers how committed and driven you are to securing work.'

How to stop your CV looking too empty 

With minimal experience, you may find that your CV still looks relatively sparse. This isn't necessarily a problem, as it allows the recruiter to easily navigate the document instead of having to work hard to find the information they are looking for.

However, an overly empty CV risks making you look unqualified, and suggests you don't have much to support your application.

This can be solved by including your personal achievements, such as awards you have received and extra-curricular activities you take part in. What is key here is to show what transferrable skills you have gained in the process.

Matalon said: 'While academic achievements are expected on a CV at this level, do not underestimate the importance of personal achievements. Potential employers will notice these, so they should not be overlooked when drafting your post-school CV.'

'At the entry level, employers look for more than just academic achievements; they also value traits that show you're eager to learn and possess the right attitude.'

Most employers, despite screening for the necessary qualifications, are also looking to hire well-rounded people who will fit into their current workforce. A lack of interests won't make you more employable.

Who should be my references?

In general, your references should be people with whom you have worked closely and can attest to your skills and work ethic.

If you have a part time job or are a volunteer, this could be your manager. In other instances, you could choose a teacher, or a sports coach.

Ensure that you have the details for your chosen references so that you can pass these on to your prospective employer if they ask.

It is best to ask your reference for permission before you add them to your CV.