first job

Cover letter with no work experience

Having no work experience doesn't mean you've got nothing to say. An employer looking for someone starting out wants to know if you learn quickly, if you stick with things and if you understand what the job involves. You show that with what you have done. Below is a letter that does exactly that, along with four tips and an FAQ.

Example of a cover letter with no work experience

Dear Mrs Visser,

I am writing with great interest in response to your vacancy for junior customer service assistant. I completed my vocational course in Service Provision in June and I'm looking for a role where I work with people and can grow quickly. Your description of a team that genuinely helps customers rather than just transferring calls appealed to me straight away.

I don't yet have work experience in an office job, but I do have experience with customers. For three years I worked weekends on the till and at the service desk of a DIY store. There I learnt to stay calm when someone is angry, to keep asking questions until I understood the real problem, and to offer a solution within what I was allowed to decide. That's why my manager put me on returns, where the difficult conversations happen.

During my course I did a placement at a council service point, where I learnt to work with a customer system and queues. I am precise, I keep my commitments and I like finishing things properly. Whatever I don't know yet, I'm keen to learn; I'd rather ask one question too many than make a mistake.

I would welcome the opportunity to come in and show how I approach a conversation with a customer. You can reach me using the details in my CV.

Kind regards,

Youssef El Amrani

The names and company in this example are made up. The letter you have written here will use your own details and the actual job advert.

How to write a letter with no work experience

  • Translate what you've done into what the job requires. A part-time job on the till is customer contact, patience and responsibility for money.
  • Don't write about what you're missing. "Unfortunately I don't have any experience yet" sends the reader down the wrong path; tell them what you do bring.
  • Show once that you learn quickly: a system you picked up on your own, a task you were given because you did well.
  • Keep it short and concrete. A starter with a clear half-page letter beats a starter with a long letter full of generalities.

Frequently asked questions about applying without work experience

Does a part-time job count as work experience?
Yes. Any job where you kept to arrangements, dealt with people or carried responsibility says something about how you work. Mention what you did and what you learnt from it.
Do I need to explain my motivation if I don't yet know what I want?
Pick one thing that appeals to you about this job and develop it. An honest, concrete reason is more convincing than a life plan.
What if the job advert asks for experience?
Apply anyway if you can meet most of the rest. Mention in the letter what similar things you've done and how quickly you'll learn what's missing. Many employers ask for more than they actually need.

Upload your CV and provide the vacancy; you'll get a letter that shows your strengths, shown free on screen first. No CV yet? Create one first, even without work experience.

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