What to do if you've just left school

First, take a breath. Every year, huge numbers of young people start looking for their first job. Everyone goes through this. And while most people won't admit it, most adults are still working it out as they go along.

Here's how you start. Search this site for your town and find your nearest Youth Hub. Book a visit, or drop in if the hub's page says you can, and tell them you've just left school. That one visit gets you someone whose actual job is helping you work out what's next.

They'll walk you through your options, from jobs and apprenticeships to college courses and training. You don't have to decide anything before you go. Working it out together is the whole point.

If you've never written a CV, they'll help you build one. If you've never had an interview, they'll practise with you. If you have no work experience, that's normal at your age, and they'll show you how to talk about what you do have, like school projects, volunteering, sport, or looking after family.

A few things that help in your first weeks out of school: keep a note of anything you apply for, tell people you're looking (jobs travel by word of mouth more than you'd think), and don't take rejections personally. Everyone gets them, including every adult you know. They say nothing about what you're worth.

You don't have to have a plan today. You just have to take the next step. Visiting your local Youth Hub is a good one.

Find your nearest Youth Hub