Help getting a job – advice for young people

Ready to take the next step and look for work?

getting a job

Get job hunting tips from experts and young people who know what it’s like.

Getting a job is harder than it sounds! Are you stuck for career ideas? Need CV tips and interview tips? Or looking out for Youth Friendly Employers?Do you know which life and work skills employers are looking for, and how to show them you’ve got what it takes?

You’ll get what you’re looking for – but sometimes it takes time! Work on your confidence, stay motivated and shine bright like the Young Professional you are.

How to find a job

Your job hunting stories

Once you are 18 or over you can work in a job full-time. Until then, you need to be in some form of education. If you are under 18 but want to brush the school dust off your feet get into the workplace, you can always find out more about apprenticeships.There is no such thing as pointless work experience. Everything helps you grow.

Your voice: job hunting experiences See all

How has job hunting for young people changed during COVID-19? Get tips from Youth Ambassador Alina

From Associate to Intern: With a Virtual Internship, Sophie Expanded Her Horizons

Samah’s story: A Coca-Cola European Partners apprenticeship means being truly VALUED by a big brand

Help getting a job… advice and tips See all

How has job hunting for young people changed during COVID-19? Get tips from Youth Ambassador Alina

Disability Rights UK: Get Ahead magazine and newsletter

What is LMI, How Can It Help Young People, and How Do You Use It?

Which jobs are easiest to get post-lockdown?

Virtually (im)possible – how to network online

What are Applicant Tracking Systems, and how can your online job application score highly in one?

What are your future plans?

I know what my future plans are

If you know what kind of career you’re interested in…

Explore ways into your career on our Careers Hub
Visit the career websites of employers you’d like to work for
Search online for jobs that suit your experience
Tell Jobcentre Pluswhich areas of work interest you
Check social media for hashtags like #PRjobs or #Apprenticeships.

And, of course, polish your CV and cover letter so that your education and work experience sounds like a great match for that specific area of work.

Aiming High

I don’t know my future plans yet

Everyone has more than one career inside them, and more than one job they’d be great at doing. It’s fine if you’re not sure what you want to do yet.

Try a few things and give them your all. It may not be your dream job but you’ll pick up great skills and knowledge for the future.

Use our free Young Professional training to boost skills and find opportunities.

Achieving success in a job that wasn’t right for you could lead to getting other amazing jobs you might not even know about yet.

And it’s always good to stay sweet with your employers and get a good reference, even if you’re not working in your dream job!

Youth Friendly Employers

These are examples of employers who carry the Youth Friendly Employer Mark. That means they work hard to offer good opportunities, fair salaries, a chance for career growth and personal development. Take a look!