Finding a summer job in the UK can be both exciting and daunting, especially as competition has grown fiercer over the past two decades.
With the convenience of online applications, there are more candidates applying for each position, making it even more crucial to stand out. According to Chris Eccles from Employment 4 Students, the process isn’t what it used to be. Add in the rising minimum wage and National Insurance contributions, and it’s easy to see why hiring practices have shifted.
Still, a summer job offers more than just a paycheck. For students and young people, it can be a crucial stepping stone. Working part-time during school holidays or while studying at college or university helps develop transferable skills and adds substance to your CV, something future employers value when you’re ready to pursue full-time work.
Interestingly, the number of young people working while studying has dropped significantly over the years. In the early 1990s and 2000s, over 35% of 16 to 17-year-olds held jobs during the summer. By comparison, fewer than 20% did in 2024. Among 18 to 24-year-olds, the number hovered around a third, still lower than the figures from two decades ago.
So how can you secure one of these increasingly coveted roles? Careers experts offer some key advice to help boost your chances even if you don’t have previous job experience.
Retail and hospitality remain popular starting points, with opportunities also available in healthcare, warehousing, and admin work. While online platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Reed are useful, some employers prefer to post roles only on their company websites or through social media. Staying alert across multiple platforms can help you catch those opportunities early.
What to Do!
Don’t underestimate the value of the old-school approach either. Walking into local cafes or pubs with a printed CV might seem outdated, but many small businesses still appreciate it. Edward Frank, who manages the Brewers Arms pub in Berwick-upon-Tweed, says it shows initiative. Jane Meynell, owner of Olive and Bean cafe in Newcastle, agrees. She sees it as an opportunity to get a feel for the applicant’s personality something that can’t always be gauged through emails or forms. Even when no roles are immediately available, she keeps promising CVs on file.
If you don’t have formal work experience, there are still ways to prove your readiness. Matt Burney, an adviser with Indeed, points out that employers often list prior experience as “desirable,” not essential. You can highlight life experiences that demonstrate soft skills such as teamwork, communication, or leadership. These could come from volunteering, playing for a sports team, giving school presentations, or even caring for family members.
When it comes to writing a CV, there are plenty of templates available online. Stick to a clear structure: start with your contact details, then any work experience, followed by your education, and any extracurricular or voluntary involvement. Keep it concise one page is usually enough. “Don’t pad it out just for the sake of it,” Burney advises. Make your best qualities easy to find and avoid long-winded descriptions.
Font choice matters too. Use a clear, readable font size (11 or 12) and keep formatting simple. Over-designed CVs may look good to the eye but can be unreadable to scanning software used by many employers. Also, when saving your CV, use a clear file name that includes your full name to help recruiters identify it quickly.
Be Careful of How You Use AI
Some jobseekers now use generative AI tools to help draft their CVs or cover letters. The response from employers varies. Lauren Mistry from Youth Employment UK cautions that some large firms scan for AI-generated content and automatically reject it. Others, however, are more open. Sam Westwood, from KFC UK and Ireland, says AI can be a great starting point and that his company is happy to see it used provided the content is still accurate and personalised.
Other Considerations
Interviews are just as important as your application, and they’re not only for the employer’s benefit. Candidates should also take the opportunity to ask questions. What is the company culture like? What kind of training is provided? What does a typical day on the job involve? These questions show interest and help you assess whether the job is the right fit for you.
You can also ask about the timeline for the next steps in the recruitment process, which helps manage your expectations after the interview.
Getting a summer job in today’s UK job market might be more competitive than in years past, but with persistence, preparation, and the right approach, it’s very much achievable.
