Top Tips for Young Adults Entering the World of Work

Jenkins
Sep 11
4 min read

At Jenkins Recruitment, we don’t usually recruit for junior roles or first jobs. However, we often receive enquiries from young adults who are ready to take their first steps into the world of work.

Having children of a similar age ourselves, we regularly hear from their friends, family friends, people in our local community and even the family members of candidates we’ve successfully placed. We love being able to offer support where we can, and even better, we love hearing the success stories once someone lands their very first role or secures that dream job.

Recently, we received this lovely feedback:

“I just wanted to let you know that I've been successful in securing my ideal first role. I am over the moon and wanted to thank you so much for all your input. It’s been a huge help in getting me to this point”

Moments like these are why we’re always happy to share advice and guidance and it really can make all the difference.

With that in mind, here are our top tips for young adults starting their career journey:

1. Create a Cracking CV

Your CV is your first opportunity to make an impression. Even if you don’t have lots of professional experience yet, there’s plenty you can include:

Part-time work, Saturday jobs, volunteering or Duke of Edinburgh
Skills gained during GCSEs, A Levels or university - including sports clubs you have taken part in.
Achievements that show responsibility, teamwork or problem-solving.

Make sure to:

Keep it in the first person (you’re writing about you).
Refer to past roles in the past tense.
Include a link to your LinkedIn profile if you have one.
Add your town, postcode and contact number so employers can see if you’re local. No need to put your full address.

💡 Tip: Use AI (Chat GPT is great) to your advantage. Upload your CV and the job advert and ask it to highlight which of your skills match the role. Then tailor your CV accordingly to stand out. Ask it to search through your work experience but also to think about skills you will have gained in your studies.

CV Example – Applying for a Recruitment Consultant Role

Education

A Level – Business Studies

ABC College, 2024

Developed strong understanding of business operations, marketing and finance.
Completed group projects requiring teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills.
Delivered presentations to peers and staff, building confidence and public speaking ability.

Key Skills & Experience

Customer-focused: Experience in retail/volunteering roles, providing excellent service and building relationships.
Communication: Confident in engaging with diverse audiences, both written and verbal.
Organisation: Able to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines and prioritise workload.
Initiative & Drive: Proactively identified solutions during group projects and work placements.

Covering Letter Paragraph Example

Having recently completed my A Levels in Business Studies, I am eager to apply my knowledge of business operations, marketing and finance in a practical, people-focused environment. During my studies, I worked on group projects that required strong teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills all of which I know are essential in recruitment. I am particularly drawn to recruitment because it combines building relationships with understanding businesses’ needs, and I am enthusiastic about helping both candidates and clients achieve their goals.

2. Build Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn isn’t just for experienced professionals, it’s a fantastic tool for young people starting out.

Highlight what you’ve studied so far and what career paths interest you.
Get into the habit of updating regularly.
Add a professional-looking photo.
Connect with people in your chosen industry and comment that you’re “building connections and learning more about [industry you are interested in].”
Like, comment and join conversations to show interest.

Remember: LinkedIn is a professional networking site, not like Facebook — so keep it polished and career-focused.

3. Get on the Job Boards

Create accounts on the major job boards: Indeed, Reed, CV-Library, and Total Jobs to name a few.

Upload that cracking CV and keep it updated.
Set up job alerts so you don’t miss opportunities.
Use their resources as many job boards offer excellent guides on CV writing and interview preparation.

💡 Tip: Recruiters and employers actively search these sites, so being visible increases your chances of being approached directly.

4. Gain Experience Through Volunteering

It can be frustrating when jobs ask for “experience” before you’ve even started your career. One way around this is volunteering:

Offer your time to a local business, charity or organisation.
It looks great on your CV and LinkedIn profile.
You’ll gain valuable insight into whether a particular industry is right for you and you never know it might even turn into something permanent!

5. Write Tailored Covering Letters

Always send a covering letter with your application as it’s your chance to bring your CV to life.

Tailor each letter to the specific role and employer.
Link your skills and studies to the job requirements. Again, use AI (maybe Chat GPT) to help work through ideas that you can include in your letter.
Show genuine interest in the company and explain why you’d love to work there.

💡 Tip: AI tools can also help identify which of your skills best match the job description, giving you a head start when drafting.

Your first step into the world of work can feel daunting, but with the right tools and approach, you’ll stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s through a polished CV, a strong LinkedIn profile, or a thoughtful covering letter, every effort you make brings you closer to that first opportunity.

And remember, landing your first job is just the start of your career journey.

If you’re a young adult looking for guidance, we’re always happy to share advice where we can. Feel free to get in touch with us at Jenkins Recruitment.