How do I apply for my first job or apprenticeship in the UK?

Start by deciding what roles suit you, then write a one-page CV, search live vacancies near you, and send a tailored application with a short cover letter or personal statement. After applying, prepare for interviews and follow up if you have not heard back within two weeks.

Do I need work experience to apply for an apprenticeship?

No. Most apprenticeships are designed for people with little or no experience. Employers look for enthusiasm, reliability, and the right basic qualifications — usually GCSE maths and English, or the willingness to work towards them.

What should I include in a cover letter with no experience?

Explain why you want the role, what you know about the employer, and two or three skills you have built through school, volunteering, clubs, caring responsibilities or part-time work. Keep it to one page and end by saying you would welcome the chance to discuss the role.

How do I track my job or apprenticeship applications?

Keep a simple list of where you applied, the date, the contact, and the deadline. Set a reminder to follow up after one to two weeks. Shine saves the applications you make through the platform and reminds you when to chase or prepare for an interview.

Can I apply for apprenticeships and university at the same time?

Yes. You can hold a UCAS offer while applying for apprenticeships directly with employers. There is no single deadline for apprenticeships, so apply as soon as vacancies open and keep both routes open until you accept an offer.

For students aged 16 to 24

How to apply for jobs, apprenticeships and courses in the UK

A simple five-step path from "what should I do?" to a submitted application: take the career quiz, build your CV, find live opportunities, apply properly and prepare for interviews.

Start with the quiz Find live opportunities

How do I apply for a job, apprenticeship or course in the UK?

Start with a five-minute career quiz to get a personal career map, then write a one-page CV and cover letter, search live UK opportunities near you, send a tailored application, and prepare for interviews. Shine tracks each application so you know when to follow up.

Last reviewed 14 September 2026 by the Shine careers team.

The full application process, step by step

You do not need to do everything at once. Each step links to a free Shine tool or guide that helps you complete it.

Start with the five-minute career quiz

Answer questions about what you enjoy, how you like to work, and where you live. Shine builds a personal career map with routes that fit you: apprenticeships, jobs, T Levels, courses and volunteering.

Take the career quiz

Build your CV and cover letter

Even with no work experience you can write a one-page CV using school, volunteering, clubs, caring responsibilities and informal work. Shine has a first-CV guide and a cover-letter tool that matches the role.

Write your first CV

Find live opportunities near you

Browse apprenticeships, entry-level jobs, work experience and volunteering filtered by where you can travel. Every listing is checked to be no older than 30 days.

Browse opportunities

Apply with a tailored application

Use your Shine profile to pre-fill forms, attach your CV, and write a short cover letter or personal statement explaining why the role fits. Save each application so you can follow up.

See example applications

Prepare for interviews and track outcomes

Practise STAR answers for teamwork, learning quickly and handling a problem. Track where you applied, when to chase up, and what you learned so the next application is stronger.

Interview prep guide

Free tools that help you apply

Career quiz

Get a personal career map matched to your strengths and local options.

Take the quiz

CV builder

Build a first CV with no experience using school, volunteering and skills.

CV guide

Opportunities

Live apprenticeships, jobs and training near you, updated weekly.

Browse roles

How to apply for jobs and apprenticeships near you

Shine matches you to opportunities by location, so the advice below reflects what is actually hiring where you live.

Applying in London

Barking & Dagenham, Croydon, Hackney, Lambeth, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and every Greater London borough

Apply early for degree apprenticeships and public-sector graduate schemes; many retail, hospitality and digital roles hire year-round. Use borough names and nearest tube or rail stations in your search.

Applying in Greater Manchester

Manchester, Salford, Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport

Digital, creative, engineering and health apprenticeships are strong here. Search by town and check Greater Manchester Apprenticeships and Skills for local schemes.

Applying in West Midlands

Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Solihull, Dudley

Advanced manufacturing, automotive, construction and care. The West Midlands Combined Authority lists local apprenticeships and traineeships.

Applying in West Yorkshire

Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax

Finance, professional services, health and hospitality. Leeds City Region has a dedicated apprenticeship portal.

Applying in Merseyside

Liverpool, Knowsley, Wirral, St Helens, Sefton

Health and social care, logistics, hospitality and digital. The Liverpool City Region Youth Employment Hub can point you to local openings.

Applying in South West

Bristol, Gloucester, Plymouth, Exeter, Bournemouth, Swindon

Aerospace, engineering, tourism, care and the creative sector. Check local college apprenticeship vacancies as well as national find-an-apprenticeship.

Applying in North East

Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Durham, Gateshead

Manufacturing, energy, contact centres, care and construction. The North East Combined Authority and local colleges list many Level 2 and 3 starts.

Applying in South Yorkshire

Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, Barnsley

Advanced manufacturing, logistics, health, hospitality and retail. Sheffield City Region runs apprenticeship support for school leavers.

Applying in East Midlands

Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, Lincoln, Mansfield

Manufacturing and rail, logistics, health and retail. D2N2 and LLEP skills hubs publish local vacancies.

Applying in Wales

Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Wrexham, Bangor

Public sector, health and care, hospitality, construction and manufacturing. Careers Wales lists apprenticeships and Jobs Growth Wales+ for 16 to 19 year olds.

Applying in Scotland

Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness

Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships through Skills Development Scotland, plus energy, finance, hospitality and care.

Applying in Northern Ireland

Belfast, Derry, Lisburn, Newry, Armagh

IT and business services, manufacturing, hospitality and retail. Search NI apprenticeships and further education college vacancies.

Common questions about applying

How do I apply for my first job or apprenticeship in the UK?: Start by deciding what roles suit you, then write a one-page CV, search live vacancies near you, and send a tailored application with a short cover letter or personal statement. After applying, prepare for interviews and follow up if you have not heard back within two weeks.
Do I need work experience to apply for an apprenticeship?: No. Most apprenticeships are designed for people with little or no experience. Employers look for enthusiasm, reliability, and the right basic qualifications — usually GCSE maths and English, or the willingness to work towards them.
What should I include in a cover letter with no experience?: Explain why you want the role, what you know about the employer, and two or three skills you have built through school, volunteering, clubs, caring responsibilities or part-time work. Keep it to one page and end by saying you would welcome the chance to discuss the role.
How do I track my job or apprenticeship applications?: Keep a simple list of where you applied, the date, the contact, and the deadline. Set a reminder to follow up after one to two weeks. Shine saves the applications you make through the platform and reminds you when to chase or prepare for an interview.
Can I apply for apprenticeships and university at the same time?: Yes. You can hold a UCAS offer while applying for apprenticeships directly with employers. There is no single deadline for apprenticeships, so apply as soon as vacancies open and keep both routes open until you accept an offer.

Sources: GOV.UK Find an Apprenticeship, National Careers Service, GOV.UK minimum wage guidance. Last reviewed 2026-09-14.

Start your application journey Search live opportunities