What is an attachment CV?
An attachment CV is the one-to-two page document you send when applying for industrial attachment (work-related learning) or an internship. In Zimbabwe, polytechnic and university students on HEXCO and degree programmes usually need to secure their own attachment placement — and the CV is what gets you the interview.
The challenge is simple: you probably have little or no formal work experience. The good news is that employers offering attachment don't expect it. They want to see that you're capable, reliable and studying something relevant — so your CV should lead with your course, skills and attitude rather than a long job history.
What to put on a CV with no work experience
When you have no paid jobs to list, these sections do the heavy lifting:
- Education — your current course, institution, expected completion and any strong results (O-Level, A-Level, diploma modules).
- Personal statement — two or three lines on who you are, what you're studying and the attachment you're seeking.
- Skills — both practical (computer packages, lab work, driving, specific software) and soft skills (communication, teamwork, reliability).
- Projects & coursework — assignments, group projects or a final-year project that show real ability.
- Volunteer & leadership — church, sports, school prefect, club committee — anything showing responsibility.
- Referees — a lecturer or head of department is ideal for a student.
Standard attachment CV layout
Keep it clean and easy to scan. Order it like this:
- Header — full name, "Attachment Student" or your field, phone, email, city
- Personal statement — 2–3 lines
- Education — most recent first (lead with this as a student)
- Skills — relevant to your field
- Projects / coursework
- Any experience — part-time, holiday work, volunteering
- Referees — lecturer or HOD, with permission
How to write a CV for attachment (step by step)
Choose a clean, ATS-friendly template
Pick a simple, professional design with clear headings and no heavy graphics. CV263 gives you student-friendly templates that are free to start and download.
Add your contact details
Full name, a professional email address, a working phone number and your city. Double-check the phone number — this is how the company calls you.
Write a short personal statement
Two or three lines: who you are, what you're studying, and the attachment you want. Example: "Second-year Accounting student at Harare Polytechnic seeking a six-month attachment to apply my bookkeeping and Excel skills."
Lead with your education
As a student, put education near the top. List your course, institution, expected completion date and strong results or relevant modules.
Highlight relevant skills and coursework
List 5–10 skills that match the field, plus any projects, assignments or lab work that prove ability. Only list skills you genuinely have.
Add any experience you do have
Part-time jobs, holiday work, family business, volunteering or school leadership all count. Use short bullet points starting with an action verb.
List referees
A lecturer or head of department makes a strong referee for a student. Always ask permission first, and include their title, institution and contact.
Proofread and download as PDF
Check spelling, dates and your phone number. Save it as "Your Name – Attachment CV" and download a PDF so the formatting stays perfect on any device.
Attachment CV tips
Do
- Keep it to one page — you don't have enough history to fill two.
- Tailor the personal statement to each company you apply to.
- Include your expected completion date and how long you're available.
- Pair it with a short application letter (cover letter) — see our application letter guide.
Don't
- Don't invent work experience — employers can tell.
- Don't use a childish email address; make a professional one.
- Don't send a blurry photo of a handwritten CV — use a clean typed PDF.