Is it normal to get rejected from lots of entry-level jobs?

Yes. Entry-level roles often get many applicants, so rejection is common and usually not personal. Treat each one as a signal about what to change, whether that's your CV, your availability or your interview answers.

Why do I get no reply at all?

Silence usually means the application didn't pass the first screen. The most common fixes are tailoring your CV to the advert, making availability clear and applying earlier.

Should I ask for feedback after a rejection?

Yes, especially after an interview. Send a short, polite email thanking them and asking for one thing you could improve. Not every employer replies, but useful feedback is worth asking for.

How do I get experience if every job wants experience?

Count school responsibilities, clubs, sport, volunteering, helping at events and caring at home as experience. Short work experience, volunteering or a traineeship-style programme can also fill the gap.

Applications

Why do I keep getting rejected from entry-level jobs?

Getting knocked back again and again is frustrating, and it's rarely about you as a person. Here are the usual reasons, and what to change for each.

The short answer

Most rejections come from a few fixable things: a CV that isn't matched to the advert, no clear evidence, unclear availability, or interview answers without examples. Fix your CV first, as it's the step that decides whether anyone reads the rest.

Build a tailored CV free

7 reasons you're being rejected, and the fix for each

1
Your CV is the same for every job
Copy two or three words from each advert (for example 'customer service' or 'reliable') into your CV and show where you've done them, at school, in clubs or volunteering.
2
You don't show evidence, just claims
Swap 'I'm hard-working' for a fact: 'Kept 100% attendance in Year 13' or 'Helped run the school open evening'. Only write things that are true.
3
Your availability isn't clear
Shops, cafés and warehouses hire around shifts. Put the days and hours you can work near the top of your CV and in every application.
4
You're applying to roles that ask for more than you have
Look for words like 'no experience needed', 'training provided', 'apprentice' or 'trainee'. Keep stretch applications, but make most of them realistic.
5
Online tests or forms are filtering you out
Answer situational questions by putting the customer and safety first, fill every field, and check spelling before you submit.
6
You get interviews but not offers
Prepare two short stories using STAR (situation, task, action, result), research the employer, and ask one question at the end.
7
You're applying too slowly or to too few places
Entry-level roles close fast. Set alerts, apply within a few days of a role appearing, and follow up politely after a week.

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Shine's free CV builder turns school, clubs and volunteering into clear evidence, with a matching cover letter. No experience yet? Start with writing a CV with no experience or see student CV examples.

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FAQs

Is it normal to get rejected from lots of entry-level jobs?: Yes. Entry-level roles often get many applicants, so rejection is common and usually not personal. Treat each one as a signal about what to change, whether that's your CV, your availability or your interview answers.
Why do I get no reply at all?: Silence usually means the application didn't pass the first screen. The most common fixes are tailoring your CV to the advert, making availability clear and applying earlier.
Should I ask for feedback after a rejection?: Yes, especially after an interview. Send a short, polite email thanking them and asking for one thing you could improve. Not every employer replies, but useful feedback is worth asking for.
How do I get experience if every job wants experience?: Count school responsibilities, clubs, sport, volunteering, helping at events and caring at home as experience. Short work experience, volunteering or a traineeship-style programme can also fill the gap.

Sources: National Careers Service: CV sections, National Careers Service: interview advice, GOV.UK: find an apprenticeship. Last reviewed 26 October 2026 by the Shine careers team.

More help: teen jobs, minimum wage by age, first CV template.