Finding your first job can feel frustrating. Many job adverts ask for experience, but if you’ve never worked before, it can seem impossible to know where to start.
The good news is that summer is one of the easiest times of year to get your first job. Shops, restaurants, cafés, hotels and tourist attractions often need extra staff during the busy holiday period. Many of these employers expect applications from students who have never worked before.
If you’re hoping to earn some extra money this summer, here are some practical tips to help you find a job, even if your CV is looking a little empty.
Why Summer Is a Great Time to Find Work
Summer brings a big increase in customers for many businesses. People are travelling, eating out more often and shopping during the holidays, which means companies need extra staff to help.
Common summer jobs include:
- Retail assistant
- Supermarket team member
- Café or restaurant staff
- Hotel assistant
- Theme park employee
- Leisure centre assistant
- Warehouse operative
- Event staff
These jobs are often designed for people who are just starting their working life, so employers are usually more interested in your attitude than your work history.
Creating a CV Without Work Experience
A lot of students think they have nothing to put on a CV because they have never had a paid job. That simply isn’t true.
Think about everything you’ve done that has helped you build useful skills.
This could include:
- School or college projects
- Volunteering
- Sports teams
- Clubs or societies
- Babysitting
- Tutoring
- Helping with a family business
- Organising events or fundraising
Start with a short personal profile that introduces who you are, what you’re studying and the type of work you’re looking for. This is your chance to make a good first impression and show employers that you’re enthusiastic, reliable and ready to learn.
Next, list your education, including your current course and any qualifications you’ve achieved or are working towards. If you’ve studied subjects that relate to the role you’re applying for, it’s worth mentioning them.
Finally, include a section highlighting your key skills. Think about the qualities you’ve developed through school, college, volunteering, sports or hobbies. Skills such as communication, teamwork, organisation and time management are valuable in almost every workplace and can help show employers that you’re ready for your first role.
Where to Find Summer Jobs
Once your CV is ready, it’s time to start applying.
Job websites such as Indeed, StudentJob UK and Reed regularly advertise seasonal jobs for students.
It’s also worth visiting the careers pages of companies you would like to work for. Supermarkets, retailers, restaurants and coffee shops often advertise vacancies directly on their own websites.
Don’t forget local businesses either. Independent cafés and shops sometimes advertise jobs in their windows or on social media before posting them on large job websites.
Make Every Application Count
It can be tempting to send the same CV to every employer, especially if you’re applying for lots of jobs.
Instead, spend a few minutes changing your CV so it matches the job you’re applying for.
Read the job description carefully and mention any skills that relate to the role. If the job involves serving customers, explain how you’ve worked with people through volunteering, school events or sports teams.
Before sending your application, check it carefully for spelling mistakes and make sure all your contact details are correct.
Preparing for Your Interview
Being invited to an interview means the employer already thinks you could be a good fit.
One of the most common questions is:
Why do you want this job?
A simple answer could be:
“I’d like to gain work experience, earn some money over the summer and develop skills that will help me in future jobs. I enjoy working with people, and I’m keen to learn.”
You might also be asked:
Can you tell me about a time you worked as part of a team?
You don’t need work experience to answer this.
Think about a group project at school, a sports team, volunteering or even organising an event. Explain what happened, what your role was and what the outcome was.
Real examples always make stronger answers.
Small Things That Make a Big Difference
Employers notice the little things.
Arrive a few minutes early for your interview, dress neatly, smile, make eye contact and show that you’re interested in the role.
Before your interview, spend a few minutes reading about the company. Knowing what they do shows you’ve made an effort and can help you feel more confident when answering questions.
It’s also a good idea to prepare one or two questions of your own. Asking about training or what a typical shift looks like shows you’re genuinely interested.
Don’t Give Up
Finding your first job can take time.
If you don’t hear back from an application or receive a rejection, don’t let it knock your confidence. Almost everyone experiences this when they’re looking for their first job.
Keep improving your CV, continue applying and learn something from each interview you attend.
If you’re still struggling to find paid work, consider volunteering during the summer. It gives you valuable experience, helps build your confidence and looks great on your CV.
Final Thoughts
Everyone starts somewhere. No employer expects you to have years of experience when you’re applying for your first summer job.
What they do want is someone who is reliable, willing to learn and ready to work hard.
Take the time to build a good CV, apply for jobs that interest you and prepare properly for interviews. Your first job might not come straight away, but every application is a step closer to getting the experience you’re looking for.
