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How to write cv with no work experience?

Hi, I'm trying to write my cv; I'm 20 years old but have no work experience, and so I don't have many practical skills. I'm more academic/creative, but I know that won't be valued in the workplace, and might even be a turn off for more social jobs if you know what I mean. What should I do?

Public Comments

1. Put your qualifications and training. If your CV looks good, well organized, it will speak volumes about you.
2. Lie through your teeth. I did and it got me a job even though I had no relevant work experience whatsoever, had never contributed to any charity club or society at any point in my life and detested working as part of a 'team'. Never underestimate the power of lies.
3. you should stop deciding what won't be valued. I only ever employed people if they were both academic and creative, in some sense or another. make a list of the qualities you think an employer does want. Note: "qualities", not "experience" or "qualifications". Things like: articulate, can think on his/her feet, good at problem solving, etc. Then scour through whatever it is that you HAVE done and come up with stories that demonstrate that quality in you. Your approach to employers will focus on those things. Maybe you played left back for the pub football team for 5 years. OK, so you are stubborn, determined, a good team player, and you can read an attack as it comes. Your favourite games were the ones where your goalie never had to make a save, and you fed a fantastic ball up to front of midfield so that the rest of your team could do their thing. The right experience can come from anywhere. Also, go learn the meaning of the word "network", and not in the electric string sense
4. Good question! First of all never lie about experience. Look at your skills and strengths, instead, even if you have no experience at all. Put the focus on your personal attitudes: tell about responsibility, enthusiasm, self motivation, are you focused? energetic? Write your resumé highlighting your positive attitude. More: What about your computer skills, ability to learn new things fast, typing, phone skills, do you love to talk to people, finish big projects, (written or verbal or both), the ability to work on multiple things at once? Do you have excellent math, reading, or writing skills, good communication skills? What about your Training/Classes/Seminars? Think about it; it could be very important to the employer: Computer courses, classes on industry information, languages, customer service, etc. Good luck!
5. You probably have more skills and experience than you realise. What skills did you acquire at home or school that didn't involve the teacher? Did you ever have a part time job? Points of responsibility. When you publish your cv there shouldn't be the slightest hint of negativity, every shortcoming is a valuable and marketable gift for the prospective employer. Its all in how you spin it. If you did every little bit of homework, you are a hard worker with attention to detail... however, if you had a tendency to skip what you could get away with you were able to prioritise and probably good negotiation skills. If you are an artist, then make a portfolio of work that you've done. Make it look professional and presentable.