Struggling to get your first job? Here are five tips to get you started

19 hours ago

Star McFarlaneBusiness reporter The UK unemployment rate among 16 to 24-year-olds is at the highest it's been in more than a decade.

And the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (Neet) is edging closer to one million.

Careers experts say there are some specific things younger people can do to find work.

Whether you're looking for a Saturday job or your first full-time role, here are some tips to get you started.

Focus on skills, not the job It does not matter what your first job is - the transferable skills you learn are more valuable for your future career than the job itself, experts say.

For example, many senior roles require strong interpersonal and communication skills, and there are plenty of entry-level jobs that offer the opportunity to develop these, says Ghislaine Dell, head of careers at Bath University.

"Your client might be a customer coming into the local shop you work in or they might be a client that wants you to develop a new piece of software for them," she says.

"Either way, being able to show your ability to communicate well and deliver what they're asking for is really important. " You shouldn't overthink your first job, agrees Charlotte Bosworth, chief executive of apprenticeship provider Lifetime Training, which works with brands like Nando's and B&Q as well as the Department for International Trade. "Just hit the market - you're more employable when you're employed," she says.

Use AI to prepare Employers are increasingly looking to recruit the next generation of staff with AI skills, and there are ways to use it to help prepare your job applications too.

Put the job description and company website into an AI system and ask specific questions like "What are the top five things this employer is looking for?" suggests Ghislaine Dell. You can use these points to help draft your application, create structure and showcase your skills in the best way, she says.

If you are invited for an interview, AI can also help you prepare by generating questions you might be asked based on the industry, company and the role you're applying for, Dell says.

However, she warns against using AI to write your application for you.

"Employers want you to sound like you. They don't want you to sound like the people 10 years older than you that programmed the AI," she says. "It's better to sound like you with a few mistakes than a perfect clone. Introduce yourself in person For smaller or independent businesses – local cafes, shops or pubs, for example – introducing yourself in person can help show your confidence and willingness to learn more about the business, says Charlotte Bosworth.

It's also useful for you to take a look at a range of different workplaces to get an idea of what kind of environment you might want to work in.

"Even if you have already put in an application online, going in and introducing yourself in person.

asking questions about the role and showing an interest in the company… might just be the thing that puts your [CV] to the top of the pile," she says. It's even worth visiting places that haven't got a job advertised to register your interest so they think of you if any future roles do come up.

Let your personality shine in cover letter A cover letter can be a great opportunity to tell prospective employers who you are and what you're passionate about.

It is also a "signal" that you've taken time to do the application, says Baz Ramaiah, research and policy director at social enterprise Youth Employment UK.

"It's an opportunity to let your personality shine," he says.

There are many reasons employers want to hire young people and your cover letter can spell out what you bring, adds Bosworth.

"Don't underestimate the unique fresh ideas, energy and eyes you will bring to a role, regardless of how much experience you have," she says.

Find resources aimed at young people "There are lots of accessible local groups, charities and organisations that help young people who are struggling to find work.

The problem is a lot of people don't know they're there," says Ramaiah