‘I need a job to get experience, but I need experience to get the job I want’.
How many times have you found yourself in this situation? Even if you’ve got a good idea of your perfect position, finding a role that helps you get from A to B can prove to be a pretty frustrating experience. Especially if you’re just starting out in your career.
But don’t panic. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a school leaver, or just looking for a career change, there are plenty of industries crying out for fresh talent.
To help you get your foot in the door, here are the best entry-level positions you could be applying for right now:
Entry level remote jobs
If you’re looking to ditch the commute and create your own workspace, these remote roles are perfect for starting your career from home.
Virtual Assistant
What they do – Provide administrative support to clients from a remote location. You could be doing anything from managing emails and scheduling meetings to booking travel and handling social media. It’s essentially being a PA, but from the comfort of your own home.
Requirements – You’ll need to be hyper-organised, great at time management, and comfortable using digital tools like Google Workspace, Slack, and Trello. Strong communication skills are a must since you won’t be in the same room as your boss. No degree is needed, but being tech-savvy helps.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Customer Service Advisor
What they do – You’re the voice (or the keyboard) of the company. Your main job is to help customers with their queries, solve their problems, and generally keep them happy. This could be over the phone, via email, or through live chat software.
Requirements – Lots of patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure. You don’t need specific qualifications, but you do need excellent communication skills and a friendly attitude. If you’re a ‘people person’, this is your time to shine.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Content Moderator
What they do – Review user-generated content on websites and social media platforms to ensure it meets community guidelines. You’ll be the digital bouncer, removing inappropriate posts, comments, or videos to keep online spaces safe.
Requirements – A keen eye for detail and the resilience to view potentially sensitive material. You’ll need to understand online trends and be able to make quick, objective decisions. Fluency in a second language can often be a huge bonus here.
Average entry-level salary – £26,000
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Entry level IT jobs
The tech sector is booming, and you don’t always need a computer science degree to get involved.
Junior Web Developer
What they do – Assist Senior Developers in all aspects of software development and implementation. Depending on the size of the company, duties range from planning and developing applications and writing programming code through to site updates, troubleshooting and coming up with initiatives to increase traffic.
Requirements – It’s possible to get a job in tech without any previous experience, especially if you have a high level of computer literacy and good technical skills. A degree in an IT discipline is definitely a bonus, but it isn’t the only route. A Web Development-specific qualification or even knowledge of programming languages, such as C# and JavaScript, will all help you secure your first role.
Average entry-level salary – £28,000
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Business Analyst
What they do – BAs are responsible for analysing a business’s processes and investigating how they work. They identify improvements, evaluate problems, project feasibility and use this information to present a business case back to the company detailing the solutions.
Requirements – There are three main routes to becoming a BA. Firstly, a degree in any discipline (preferably business) and some analytical experience are musts for most big employers. It is possible, however, to have good A-level grades and still start in a junior position. Alternatively, many BAs start in different roles and progress through the company.
Average entry-level salary – £30,000
How to become a Business Analyst
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IT Support Technician
What they do – You’ll be the first point of contact for colleagues or clients experiencing technical issues, diagnosing hardware and software faults, and setting up new equipment.
Requirements – A good general knowledge of computer systems and a logical approach to problem-solving. You don’t necessarily need a degree; sector certifications (like CompTIA A+) or a genuine passion for tinkering with tech can be enough to get you started.
Average entry-level salary – £26,000
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Entry level finance jobs
Money makes the world go round, and these roles are the perfect way to start your journey in the financial sector.
Junior Financial Advisor
What they do – You’ll work alongside senior advisors to help clients manage their money. This involves researching financial products, preparing reports, and sitting in on client meetings to learn the ropes of investment, savings, and pensions.
Requirements – A degree in finance or business is helpful, but not always mandatory if you’re willing to study for professional qualifications on the job. Strong numeracy skills and a trustworthy manner are essential.
Average entry-level salary – £28,000
How to become a Financial Advisor
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Credit Controller
What they do – Ensure the company gets paid. You’ll manage debts, chase up late payments (politely, of course), and negotiate payment plans with customers. It’s a great entry point into finance that focuses more on people skills than complex maths.
Requirements – You need to be firm but fair, with good negotiation skills, confidence on the phone, and a head for figures are key. Familiarity with accounting software like Sage is a definite advantage too.
Average entry-level salary – £26,000
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Finance Assistant
What they do – Support the wider finance team with daily admin. Tasks include data entry, processing expenses, filing invoices, and helping with month-end reports. This role is a great stepping stone to becoming a qualified Accountant.
Requirements – Attention to detail is everything here, and you’ll need to be proficient with spreadsheets and have good organisational skills. Experience with tools like Xero or QuickBooks, or studying for AAT, will help to set you apart.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Entry level accounting jobs
If you love balancing the books, these roles count (pun intended).
Bookkeeper
What they do – A Bookkeeper’s main role is to gather and record the financial transactions of a business, calculate their profit and loss, process invoices and, ultimately, detail how much money the company makes and spends.
Requirements – A strong aptitude for numbers and excellent attention to detail. In terms of qualifications, a degree may be preferred by some employers, but is by no means essential. Good academic grades (GCSE A-C in Maths and English minimum), and excellent IT skills are necessary. Knowledge of single-entry and double-entry bookkeeping and other key bookkeeping practices could also prove invaluable.
Average entry-level salary – £26,000
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Accounts Assistant
What they do – You’ll support a qualified Accountant with various tasks, such as reconciling bank statements, managing petty cash, and preparing VAT returns. It’s hands-on experience that gives you a view of the full accounting cycle.
Requirements – A head for numbers and great organisational skills. Many employers offer study support for qualifications like AAT or ACCA, so ambition to learn is a huge plus.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Payroll Administrator
What they do – Make sure everyone gets paid on time and correctly. You’ll calculate wages, deductions, and taxes, ensuring compliance with the latest legislation.
Requirements – High levels of accuracy and discretion are non-negotiable (you’ll see everyone’s salary, after all). You also need to be comfortable with data and deadlines. Additionally, familiarity with payroll software such as Sage, QuickBooks, or Xero is often preferred by employers.
Average entry-level salary – £26,000
Entry level marketing jobs
Creative, fast-paced, and varied – marketing is a fantastic sector for fresh starters.
Marketing Assistant
What they do – Duties range from content creation and email copywriting through to communicating marketing plans to clients, producing collateral, conducting PR calls and helping manage social media accounts.
Requirements – Good knowledge of marketing best-practices and up-to-date knowledge in the sector. For many entry-level roles, a degree (Marketing/business preferable, but not essential) can be a prerequisite. However, a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualification can also be a great way to break into the industry – no degree necessary.
Average entry-level salary – £26,000
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Social Media Executive
What they do – Manage a brand’s online presence – doing everything from scheduling posts, replying to comments, and creating TikToks or Reels, to analysing engagement data to and reporting on performance.
Requirements – You need to live and breathe social media, and creativity, good writing skills, and an eye for design are essential. If you know your way around Canva, have experience creating engaging content, and know a trending audio when you hear one, you’re already halfway there.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Junior Copywriter
What they do – Write words that sell – whether it’s blog posts, website copy, email newsletters, or catchy ad slogans.
Requirements – Excellent spelling and grammar are just the baseline. You also need to be able to adapt your tone of voice to different brands and simplify complex information. And, a portfolio of writing samples (even from a personal blog) is often more valuable than a degree. Knowledge of SEO principles is a bonus.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Entry level HR jobs
If you’re interested in people and culture, Human Resources is the place to be.
HR Assistant
What they do – Handle employee records, help with onboarding new starters, process holiday requests, and assist with recruitment admin. It’s a great role for learning employment law and company policy from the ground up.
Requirements – Strong administrative skills and high emotional intelligence, with an approachable, trustworthy, and organised mindset. Additionally, employers value applicants with relevant CIPD qualifications, who are familiar with HR software (like BambooHR or Sage).
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Recruitment Resourcer
What they do – Find the right candidates for jobs. You’ll search CV databases, screen applicants over the phone, and help consultants fill vacancies.
Requirements – Tenacity and resilience. It’s a fast-paced, sales-driven environment where you’ll be on the phone a lot. If you’re confident and goal-oriented, the commission structure can be very rewarding.
Average entry-level salary – £24,000 (plus commission)
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Training Coordinator
What they do – Organise learning and development within a company. You’ll schedule training sessions, book venues, prepare materials, and track employee progress.
Requirements – You need to be a master organiser with great communication skills. A passion for helping people develop and grow their careers is also a must.
Average entry-level salary – £26,000
Entry level admin jobs
Organised? Efficient? Love a good spreadsheet? Step right up.
Office Administrator
What they do – Keep the office running smoothly. Tasks vary but often include answering phones, managing post, ordering stationery, and filing documents.
Requirements – Reliability and versatility. You also need to be able to juggle multiple tasks and use standard office software (Word, Excel, Outlook). A ‘can-do’ attitude also goes a long way.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Receptionist
What they do – You’re the first face people see. You’ll greet visitors, issue security passes, manage meeting rooms, and handle incoming calls.
Requirements – A friendly, professional demeanor and the ability to multitask under pressure. Strong communication skills and experience with phone systems or booking software are often required.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Personal Assistant (Junior)
What they do – Help a manager or team with their daily schedule. This includes booking travel, managing diaries, and taking minutes in meetings.
Requirements – Discretion, forward-thinking, and excellent organisational skills. You need to be one step ahead of the person you’re supporting, anticipating problems before they happen. Experience managing travel arrangements is a bonus.
Average entry-level salary – £28,000
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PA vs. Executive PA: What’s the difference?
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Entry level publishing jobs
Breaking into media can be tough, but these roles are your best route in.
Editorial Assistant
What they do – Support editors with planning content, proofreading copy, researching articles, and managing contributor payments.
Requirements – A love for language and eagle-eyed attention to detail. A degree in English or Journalism is common for people entering this field, but a strong portfolio or blog can be just as effective.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Publishing Assistant
What they do – Work on the business side of books or magazines. You might be helping with rights and permissions, production schedules, or sales data.
Requirements – Organisation is key. You need to be passionate about the sector and willing to pitch in with administrative tasks to get books on shelves. Familiarity with tools like Excel or rights management software is often required, and experience coordinating production schedules is a plus.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Proofreader
What they do – Check text for errors before it goes to print or online. You’ll correct spelling, grammar, and formatting inconsistencies.
Requirements – Perfectionism – along with an excellent grasp of the English language and the ability to focus for long periods. Familiarity with style guides is a bonus.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
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Entry level software engineer jobs
With these entry level roles, you’ll be building the future – one line of code at a time.
Junior Software Engineer
What they do – Write and test code for software applications. You’ll work in a team to build features, fix bugs, and improve system performance.
Requirements – Coding skills are essential (Python, Java, C++, etc.), but you don’t necessarily need a computer science degree. Coding bootcamps and a strong GitHub portfolio are increasingly accepted routes into the sector.
Average entry-level salary – £32,000
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QA Tester
What they do – Try to break things on purpose. You’ll test software to find bugs and glitches before the product reaches the user.
Requirements – A methodical approach and attention to detail, along with the ability to document issues clearly so developers can fix them. Bonus points if you’re familiar with testing tools like Selenium, JIRA, or Postman, and have some understanding of different testing methods (e.g. manual, automated, and regression testing).
Average entry-level salary – £28,000
Junior DevOps Engineer
What they do – Bridge the gap between software development and IT operations. You’ll help automate processes to release software faster and more reliably.
Requirements – A mix of coding knowledge and system administration skills. Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, CI/CD tools such as Jenkins or GitLab, and scripting languages like Python or Bash, along with experience with Infrastructure as Code tools (like Terraform or Ansible) will also set you apart.
Average entry-level salary – £35,000
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Entry level construction jobs
Prefer working with your hands? The construction & property sector offers solid career paths and great earning potential.
Labourer
What they do – Assist tradespeople, move materials, keep the site clean, and prepare areas for work.
Requirements – Physical fitness and a CSCS card (essential for working on most UK sites). It’s hard work, but it’s the best way to learn how a site operates and decide which trade you might want to specialise in later.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000
Trainee Site Manager
What they do – Learn how to run a construction project whilst on the job. You’ll help supervise workers, check health and safety compliance, and ensure materials arrive on time.
Requirements – Strong leadership potential and organisational skills. Many people enter this route via a degree in Construction Management or an apprenticeship.
Average entry-level salary – £28,000
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Estate Agent
What they do – Market, let and sell properties, as well as provide services and advice for those looking to sell properties themselves.
Requirements – Aside from being self-motivated and a persuasive communicator, negotiation skills and the ability to sell are necessities. Most companies will offer on-the-job training to help get you up to speed on property practices, and vocational training is definitely one of the perks of the job.
Average entry-level salary – £25,000 (plus commission)
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More entry-level opportunities
Just because a job doesn’t fit into a specific category, doesn’t mean it isn’t a great way to start your career. Here are a few more entry-level jobs you could start right now:
- Teaching Assistant
- Retail Assistant
- Warehouse Operative
- Hospitality Team Member (e.g., Waiter, Barista)
- Delivery Driver
- Post Room Assistant
- Care Worker
- Security Officer
- Landscape Gardener
- Animal Care Assistant
- Library Assistant
- Facilities Assistant
- Event Staff
20 easy jobs to do without experience
10 well-paid jobs you can do without a degree
Final thoughts
The industries above are just a small sample of what you can do at entry-level. In truth, practically every sector has some form of entry-level position to help get you started.
However, even if you feel you’re lacking the necessary requirements to secure your ideal role, don’t be discouraged. Most people’s career paths are not straight lines, so never rule out taking an entry-level position to build experience and combining it with some on-the-job training or an outside qualification to help you get ahead.
It’s also important to bear in mind that there isn’t necessarily a set route into every profession, and many roles include elements which might help you move into your chosen area. You just need to know how to make the most of your transferable skills – not to mention have the desire to work your way up.
I need a job: where do I start?
Need a new start? View all available entry-level jobs now.
