How to find work after you finish school

Finishing school soon? Discover practical tips for finding part-time or full-time work, using the skills and knowledge you already have.

Finishing school is a huge achievement. And after years of timetables, bells and homework, you get to decide what comes next. For many school leavers, that means finding a job (if you don’t already have one). You might want part-time work to fit around study, or you might be ready to go full-time. Either way, you have more to offer than you might think. This article will help you spot your strengths, get ready to apply, and know where to go for help.

You already have skills employers want

School life has taught you much more than the subjects you’ve taken. Every day, you’ve been building skills that employers look for. For example, think about the last group project you did, you had to share out tasks, agree on ideas and get it handed in on time. That’s teamwork, communication and time management, all in one assignment.

Here are some other skills you have probably picked up:

Reliability – turning up on time, day after day, for years.
Problem-solving – working through tricky questions in class and in exams.
Communication – giving presentations, writing essays and talking with teachers.
Adaptability – switching between different subjects, teachers and tasks every day.
Digital skills – using computers, online tools and research websites.

Don’t forget what you’ve done outside of the classroom, too. School leadership roles, playing in a sports team, helping at home, volunteering, hobbies, even looking after younger brothers and sisters all count. If you have ever kept your cool while helping a younger sibling with their homework, you have practised patience and people skills.

What school has taught you about yourself

Although you might not realise it, your school years have also been about self-discovery and learning about what you enjoy, as well as what you don’t. Those clues could help you decide where to apply if you’re looking a job that you’ll find rewarding beyond just money making. Start by asking yourself a few questions. Which subjects did you look forward to? Do you like working with other people, with your hands, or with ideas? Do you prefer busy, fast-paced days or quiet, focused tasks?

If you loved food technology and thrive in busy spaces, a café or restaurant job could suit you. If you enjoyed helping classmates understand their work and talking things through, you might find customer service or tutoring roles could be perfect for you. There are no right or wrong answers here and you don’t have to agonise over where to apply. Your first job doesn’t have to be your forever job, every job is a chance to gain new skills, learn more about what you like and what you’re good at.

Get your job-hunting toolkit ready

Before you start applying, it helps to get a few things sorted.

Update your resume

Your resume is a short document that tells employers who you are and what you can do. Keep it to one or two pages. Include your contact details, education, any work or volunteering experience, and your key skills. Not much work experience yet? That’s fine. Focus on school achievements, clubs, awards and activities instead.

Check your online presence

Many employers look up applicants online. So it’s worth taking a few minutes to check your social media and making sure that anything public is something you’d be happy for a future manager to see. If you haven’t already got one, now is a good time to create a Linked In account. It could be handy for helping employers find you, connecting and networking with other professionals, even finding job opportunities to apply for.

Line up your referees and references

Before an employer hires you, they might want to hear from other people who’ll vouch for you. A previous employer, teacher, sports coach, or volunteer supervisor are all great choices. Remember you’ll always need to ask them first, and if possible let them know what kind of jobs you’re applying for.

Practise for interviews

Interviews can feel nerve-racking, but some practice could make a real difference to your confidence and how well you do. Ask a friend or family member to ask you common questions, such as “Tell me about yourself” or “Why do you want this job?”

Wherever possible answer with real examples. So instead of just saying “I’m organised”, you could say “I used my organisational skills to balance my exams with weekend netball training so I never missed a session.” Examples show employers what you can do, rather than just telling them. If you’re looking for more tips on how to be interview ready, this article could help.

Where to look for work

Jobs are advertised in loads of different places, so it pays to keep your eye on more than one spot. Good places to start include:

reputable online job boards like Seek or Indeed (make sure the location is relevant to where you’re searching for work)
company websites on their career pages
local businesses – some still put signs in their windows, but dropping into for a chat and handing in your CV in person could leave a good impression
your own network, such as family, friends, neighbours and teachers, often hear about jobs before they’re advertised so let them know you’re looking and would appreciate their recommendation or a heads up
places you already know, it’s worth asking where you did work experience or volunteered, your local sports club, or community organisations might have something suitable too

Keep a simple list of where you’ve applied and when, it will help you follow up and stay organised.

Help is available

You don’t have to do this on your own, plenty of people want to see you succeed. Your school’s careers adviser is a great place to start. They can help with your resume, suggest jobs that match your interests and point you towards local opportunities. Many are happy to help even after you’ve left, so it’s worth asking before you finish.

Many countries also have free government employment or youth services. These could help you with job searching, resume writing, or even some training. Local libraries and community centres sometimes run job-ready workshops, too. So do some searching and ask around about what support there is if you need it. Family and friends can be a big help as well. From asking them to read over your CV, practising interview questions with you, or just providing you with moral support and letting you know about opportunities they find.

Stay positive and keep going

Finding the right job can take time. You might apply for several roles before you hear back, and that’s completely normal. Remember not to take it personally if you never hear back from a job application, employers are often dealing with an influx of applications and may only have time to get back to the people they’d like to interview.

Every application is good practice and puts you one step closer to finding work. If you don’t get the job, it’s fine to politely ask for feedback. Use what you learn to make your next application or interview even stronger.