How to get when you have zero work experience

Grace picket has now been applying for part -time jobs for two years – no luck.

The 18-year-old Corbi-year-old, Liverpool John Mores, to study history in September, is expecting to be the head of the University, and now his A-Level is over, he has increased his job hunting.

But she herself is facing the same issue that many other youths of Britain say that it is difficult for them to get their first part -time or summer job – not enough previous experience.

“It is very disappointing,” says Grace, which is said by many companies, they cannot hire it due to lack of pre -work experience.

Lauren Mistry, Charity Youth Employment from the UK, which helps the youth find jobs, says it is a “vicious cycle”.

“To experience, you need experience.”

Grace voluntarily said at a charity shop for six months and says that she does not understand that some employers do not think that this is enough. She is leaving her CV in the pub, emailing potential employers, and actually filling the applications on the job site – but has not yet found anything.

She says that some friends of Grace have “left” on their job victim because they don’t think they will get anything at any time. She has not yet reached that stage, but she starts feeling pessimistic whether she will get a job before the summer ends.

Oliver Holton, a 17 -year -old college student in Ratford, is struggling to find a summer job despite an almost four -year experience. Many employers in retail and hospitality regions want them to have more specific experiences, they say.

Jobs Site Employment 4 students say Chris Eclass, summer jobs are more competitive than 20 years ago because online applications are generally more candidates for each job. According to Lauren Mistry, the minimum wage and increase in national insurance have also affected the hiring.

Along with earning money, part-time work in school, college or university, or during holidays can also help promote your CV when it is time to apply in full-time jobs.

But office data for national statistics shows that less youth have jobs when studying 30 years ago. From 1992, when the records began, until 2004, more than 35% of 16–17 were employed, while in full-time education in each summer, compared to less than 20% in summer 2024.

For people between the ages of 18 and 24, about a third of the last summer had jobs, which is also less in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

We asked career experts what you need to do for a summer job, and how you can stand out – even without any work experience.

Many youth get their first job in retail or hospitality. Healthcare, warehousing and offices also have part -time roles.

Although many jobs are actually posted on job boards such as LinkedIn and Reid, some employers only advertise them directly on their websites or social-media profiles.

Is this of old -fashioned to leave your CV in local pubs and cafes speculatively? Career experts feel that it is still worth trying, especially in small businesses.

“I really like it,” says Edward Frank, the manager of the Brucers Arms Pub at the Beervik-on-Twid. “This initiative shows.”

Olive and Bean Cafe owner Jane Menel agreed in Newcastle. She says that when the candidates pop with their CVs, it does not just show her interest in the role, it allows her to get more information about her personality on email. And if she does not have any vacancies, she often keeps CVS on record, she says.

Even if employers lie the previous work experience as desirable or required, they can be flexible. If you find other ways to prove that you have achieved the same skills, according to a consultant Matt Burney.

“You will not expect to be really pack CV on 16, 17, 18,” they say.

Think about how you can show that you have learned skills that employers are looking for teamwork, communication, problems and team management.

Career experts say that it can be voluntarily in a charity shop, may be in a football team, give a presentation or even take care of the responsibilities at home.

If you have never written CV before, countless examples are online how to format them, as well as templates.

Include your contact details, then list your work experience, if you have any, after your education and any volunteer or additional reading. Matt Burney recommends it to be placed on one page. “Don’t just pad out for it,” they say.

“Make it easy for them to find their best skills and achievements for them, to be launched through big blocks without waffling text,” Chris Eclasses.

Show some personality but keep the appearance simple. Go for a size 11 or 12 fonts and “stay away from high-designed PDF”, which can struggle to read CV-scanning software, Lauren Mistry recommends.

And make it easy for employers to find the document with a suitable title, which includes your name, she says.

Some jobs also require a cover letter. It should be briefly explained why you are interested in the role and why you are suitable for it.

Matt Berney says, “It is very easy,” says Matt Berney, but people should keep it “small and specific”.

According to Chris Eclass, cover the letter like examination with marking criteria. Watch the job advertisement carefully what skills and experience the employer is getting – and make sure you include this information, they say.

You should address the letter to the person recruiting, if you can find their name on the job listing or company website, then Matt Berni says. Otherwise, open with “dear hiring manager”, and finished with “honestly” or “best”, he recommends.

Some people use Generative AI to craft CVS and cover lettersLauren Mistry says different among companies – some big companies scan the CV for AI and automatically reject the candidates who have used it. But others have no objection.

People in Sam Westwood, KFC UK and Ireland, the experience director, says AI is a “really good starting point” to write a CV or cover letter, and that his company admitted to “hugs the technique”.

Career experts recommend that if you choose to use AI, you should check accuracy and make sure that you refine the results to show your personality.

When you are applying for a summer job, do not stress too much about your GCSE and A-level grades. For part -time roles in retail and hospitality, “Maths and English GCSE should not be a barrier”, although the importance of examination results varies by the employer, says Lauren Mistry.

Most employers just want to know that an applicant has good numerical and literacy skills, which they can display through their CV, email and job interview, she says.

Matt Burney advised people to get an AI platform to interview a mock with friends or family or to create some questions, and think of specific examples for your answers. Chris Excels recommends structuring your answers Star answer method – Status, work, action, result.

Do research on both the role and the company as much as possible. If you can, go to the place where you are applying before your interview – Cafe owner Jane says the first question he always asks candidates if they have gone there before.

It can be difficult to know what to wear for an interview because dress code is very different by the company. Lauren Mistry advises trainers against wearing, and advises to cover their shoulders and avoid blue jeans. If you are uncertain whether it is appropriate, ask the company how you should wear clothes, she says.

Career experts say the interview is a two-way process. This is not just an opportunity for an employer to find out about you, it is also an opportunity for the candidate to know more about the role and the company. Asking questions also shows your interest in the role.

You can ask about training, company culture and a specific day in jobs. You can also ask about the next steps in the application process and when you are likely to hear about the result.

And don’t save your own questions till the end – ask them during the interview, showing them curiosity, Lauren Mistry advises.

Make sure you are humble when you are talking to other employees of the company. The managers often ask other workers, such as the receptionist, what they thought about the candidates, she says.

Matt Burney recommends sending a small, polite follow -up email after your interview and says this will help you set apart from other candidates.