Paragraph by paragraph
This would be my first office job, and I'm applying for the Band 2 Administrative Assistant post in outpatients at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. I have worked in busy shops in Manchester since 2020, and for the last four years I have been a customer assistant at Tesco.
Saying it is her first office job
Being open about it in the first sentence takes away the question the reader would have. The rest of the paragraph shows six years of work, just not in an office.
On a normal shift I serve more than 200 customers, and I have balanced my till without a single shortage for the last 12 months. I'm also trusted with opening and closing the cash drawer, which means counting the float carefully at both ends of the day.
Accuracy, shown with a number
The till record is the strongest evidence she has for a job that involves records and appointments. The cash drawer line shows she is trusted.
A lot of my job is helping people who are in a hurry or upset, often about a refund. I stay calm, explain what I can do and sort it out there and then if store policy allows. I imagine patients waiting for an appointment need the same patience, and I would like to give it to them.
Dealing with people
Outpatients reception and admin involve worried and impatient people. She shows she already handles them, and links it to patients without claiming to know the job.
At Greggs I took cash and card payments through the lunchtime rush without a till discrepancy, and I worked the Christmas period at Boots on gifts and returns. I have a BTEC Level 2 from Manchester College and a City & Guilds Level 1 Award in Customer Service, and I use tills and self checkouts every day, so I pick up new systems quickly.
Other jobs and qualifications
Short mentions of Greggs and Boots show steady work, and the qualifications are given in full. The systems line answers a likely worry about computers.
I can work any weekday pattern, I live a short bus ride from the hospital, and I speak some Spanish, which might help with a few patients. Thank you for considering my application.
Availability and a polite close
Hours, travel and a language, then a simple thank you. Nothing in it is overstated.
Experience you already have that counts
Most work, study and responsibility at home shows something an employer needs. Name the skill and give one example.
| Where it comes from | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Tills and cash handling | Accuracy, honesty and care with detail |
| Busy shops, cafés and bars | Working fast without making mistakes |
| Refunds and complaints | Staying calm with upset people |
| Rotas and shift work | Reliability and good timekeeping |
| Caring for a relative | Patience, organisation and responsibility |
| Volunteering, sports teams or school roles | Teamwork, commitment and trust |
For the supporting information box
NHS Jobs and many other forms ask for supporting information instead of, or as well as, a letter. These lines open that section and can be built on against the person specification.
Applying to the NHS from outside it
Many people start in the NHS in admin and reception posts with no health service experience. NHS employers recruit against their values as well as skills.
- The six NHS values: the NHS Constitution for England lists working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, improving lives, and everyone counts. Give one example that shows one of them; there is no need to list all six.
- The person specification: NHS adverts list essential and desirable criteria. Cover each essential one somewhere in your application.
- Bands: many entry level admin posts are Band 2 or Band 3 on the NHS Agenda for Change pay scale, and the advert will say which.
Other first jobs and how to open
School leaver, first job
Give your school or college, a responsibility you held and your availability.
I finished my A levels in June, and I can work any shift pattern while I save for university next year.
Returning to work after caring
Explain the gap in a sentence and show what caring involved.
For four years I cared for my father full time, managing his appointments, medication and benefits, and I am now ready to return to work.
Graduate with no experience in the field
Show your degree, a project and why this field.
I graduated in history in July, and my dissertation used 200 years of parish records, so I am at home with careful, detailed work.
Moving from hospitality to an office
Show speed, accuracy and dealing with people under pressure.
I have managed bookings and the till at a busy restaurant for three years, and I would like my first office role to be in a team like yours.
Apprenticeship
Show you want to learn on the job and give your availability.
I am applying for your business administration apprenticeship because I learn best by doing, and I can start in January.
If you have never had a job
A school leaver or someone returning after years at home can still write a strong letter. Keep it short and specific.
- School or college: a project, a role such as prefect or a work experience placement, with one result.
- Responsibility outside work: caring for family, running a club or helping at a place of worship.
- Reliability: attendance, punctuality or anything you have kept up over time.
- References: a teacher, tutor or volunteer organiser can usually give one.
Our guide to writing a CV with no experience covers the CV side.
Five mistakes when you have no experience
Apologising
"I know I don’t have much experience, but" puts the weakness first.
Say it plainly once, then show what you can do.
Only adjectives
"Hardworking and reliable" is what every applicant writes.
Give one example with a number, like a till record.
Pretending to know the job
Claiming office skills you haven’t used is easy to spot at interview.
Be open about what is new to you and show you pick things up quickly.
Padding it out
With less to say, a long letter feels padded.
Keep it under 250 words.
Leaving out your hours
For entry level jobs, when you can work matters a lot.
Give your hours and how you will get there.
Short, plain and polite
- Length: one page. Chloe's letter is about 255 words.
- Tone: plain and friendly, the way you speak to customers.
- Greeting: the name in the advert if there is one, then Yours sincerely.
- Proofreading: ask someone to read it. With less experience, a clean letter matters even more.
The main points from this page
- 1Say it is your first job of this kind, plainly and once.
- 2Show experience that counts, with a number if you can.
- 3Connect what you have done to the people you would help.
- 4For the NHS, show one of the six values with an example.
- 5Keep it short and give your availability.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a cover letter with no experience?
Say plainly that this would be your first job of its kind, then show what you have done that counts, such as accuracy, dealing with people and reliability, with one example each.
Should I say I have no experience?
Say it once, without apologising, and move straight on to what you can do.
What are the NHS values?
The NHS Constitution for England lists six: working together for patients, respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, improving lives, and everyone counts.
What experience counts if I have never had a job?
School or college roles, volunteering, caring for family, sports teams and anything that shows you are reliable over time.
How long should the letter be?
Under 250 words. Keep it short and specific.