Getting your first job can feel scary, especially if you have no work experience. The good news is that the UK has lots of easy jobs for beginners. These jobs care more about your attitude, being on time, and being friendly than past jobs. This guide is made for school leavers, students who want part-time work, or anyone starting fresh in the UK job market.
Top Sectors Offering Entry-Level Jobs UK 2025
These are the best places to look for your first job in 2025. You don’t need a degree – just GCSEs or even less.
Retail and Customer Service: The People Skills Path
These jobs are perfect if you like talking to people and being helpful.
Retail Assistant / Shop Assistant
- You work in shops like Tesco, Primark, or small local stores.
- Your tasks: help customers, put products on shelves, use the till, keep the shop tidy.
- Big cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds always need staff.
Customer Service Advisor / Call Centre Worker
- You answer phone calls or online chats to help customers.
- Companies give you full training on their computer system.
- You only need basic computer skills and a clear voice.
Trainee Roles in Big Shops
- Places like Boots, Superdrug, and Next have special programs for new starters.
- You start at the bottom and can move up quickly.
Hospitality and Food Service: Fast-Paced and Flexible
This sector never stops hiring. Perfect for students because many jobs have evening and weekend shifts.
Barista / Café Worker
- Make coffee and serve food in places like Costa, Starbucks, or local cafés.
- You learn fast and get tips on top of your wage.
Kitchen Porter / Kitchen Helper
- Wash dishes, clean the kitchen, and help chefs.
- Hard work but very easy to get started.
Waiting Staff / Restaurant Helper
- Take orders, bring food, clean tables.
- Good money from tips on busy nights.
Logistics and Labour: High Demand and Physical
These jobs pay well and hire all year round.
Warehouse Operative / Picker Packer
- Work in big warehouses for Amazon, ASDA, or DPD.
- Pick items, pack boxes, load vans.
- Lots of overtime money available.
Cleaning Jobs
- Clean offices, schools, hospitals, or hotels.
- Many start early morning or late evening – good if you study in the day.
General Labourer
- Help on building sites or move things.
- No experience needed – just be strong and reliable.
Navigating the Pay: UK National Living Wage 2025
You must know how much money you should get. It is the law.
Your Legal Minimum Wage (from April 2025)
- Age 21 and over → £12.21 per hour
- Age 18–20 → £8.60 per hour
- Age 16–17 → £6.40 per hour
- Under 16 or apprentice in first year → different rules (usually around £6.40)
Never accept less than this. Many companies pay a little more to get good staff.
Zero-Hours Contracts or Fixed Hours?
Some jobs (especially cleaning and hospitality) use zero-hours contracts – they don’t promise hours every week. Many big shops and warehouses now give fixed hours (for example 16 or 30 hours per week) so you know your money every month.
Your Strategy: Landing Your First Role
You have no experience – that’s okay! Employers expect that from first-time workers.
Make a Simple CV
- Keep it one page only.
- Write your name, phone number, email, and address at the top.
- Add school name and the GCSEs you got (or the ones you will get).
- Add any school clubs, sports, Duke of Edinburgh, volunteering, or babysitting.
- Write a short paragraph: “I am a reliable and friendly person who is excited to start work and learn new skills.”
Where to Look for Jobs
- Walk around your local high street – many shops put “Staff Wanted” signs in the window.
- Check supermarket notice boards.
- Use these websites and type “no experience” or “trainee”:
- Indeed.co.uk
- Reed.co.uk
- Find a job (government website – jobhelp.dwp.gov.uk)
- Go to job centres – they help young people for free.
- Register with temp agencies (Blue Arrow, Adecco, Pertemps) – they can send you to warehouse or cleaning jobs the same week.
Do Well at the Interview
- Wear clean, smart clothes (black trousers and a plain top is fine).
- Arrive 10 minutes early.
- Smile and say: “I really want this job. I am always on time and I learn quickly.”
- When they ask “Do you have experience?” say: “This will be my first job, but I helped at home/school and I am ready to work hard.”
Final Tips to Start Today
- Write your simple CV tonight (one page only).
- Put on smart clothes tomorrow and walk into 5 shops asking if they are hiring.
- Apply to 10 jobs online using “no experience” filter.
- Tell your family and friends you are looking – many jobs come from people you know.
You don’t need experience – you only need to show you are keen, honest, and ready to turn up every day.