Top jobs in 2026 where you don’t need experience

Sick of job hunting? You spend hours tweaking your CV, writing cover letters, and practising your “enthusiastic but not desperate” face for interviews… only to get the dreaded “thanks, but no thanks” email.

And if you fancy a career change? Forget it. Every “entry-level” role wants three years’ experience. It’s a chicken or egg situation if there ever was one. How are you supposed to get experience if nobody will give you a chance?

The good news is some industries are crying out for people right now. They’ll train you up and pay you while you learn as long as you’re willing to put in the work. Here are seven jobs where you can start fresh in 2026.

Cleaning jobs

Homes, offices, hospitals, they all need a good scrub, and there aren’t enough hands to do it. The £66.9 billion industry grew by 10% in the last year alone.

If you go into cleaning, you’ll be doing general tidying, deep-cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, and maybe even tackling specialist jobs like crime-scene cleaning down the line.

Why a career in cleaning is a great choice:

• No prior experience or qualifications needed to get started
• Flexible hours which work great if you have other commitments
• Progression opportunities in managerial roles
• Cleaning agencies like Maid2Clean make it easy to book flexible work

Healthcare and support work

With an ageing population, care roles are growing fast. Hospitals, care homes, and community settings all need extra hands.

You’ll help patients with daily tasks, support their wellbeing, and assist healthcare professionals with care plans.

Why healthcare support is worth considering:

• Entry-level roles often require little or no experience
• Training while you work is common
• Qualifications like Health and Social Care diplomas can boost your prospects and are often included in employment offers

Social care work

Demand for social care workers is through the roof, especially in roles supporting vulnerable children, adults, and families. In England, there were nearly 8,000 vacant children’s social worker jobs in 2023 which represented a 12% year-on-year increase.

Expect to assess needs, coordinate care, and work alongside healthcare and education professionals.

Why social care is a solid career choice:

• Start with entry-level care roles and work your way up
• On-the-job training and funded qualifications are widely available
• Strong job security and clear progression

Retail work

Shops never stop. High staff turnover means there’s always a need for new faces, whether it’s on the high street or in supermarkets.

Day-to-day, you’ll be serving customers, restocking shelves, handling returns, and keeping the shop floor looking sharp.

Why retail could be your next move:

• No experience needed – most employers train you on the job
• Easy to apply - walk in and ask or search “retail assistant” roles online
• Build plenty of transferable skills like teamwork and communication for future career moves
• Plenty of opportunities for career progression, including in retail leadership or on the admin side

Early years education

Government funded childcare hours are expanding but staff shortages persist in the early years education sector. If you’ve ever dabbled with the idea of a career in education, now could be a good time to look.

You’ll support children’s learning and developm ent, plan activities, and make sure they’re safe and happy.

Why early years roles are rewarding:

• Hands-on experience is the best way in
• Many employers pay for your training
• Opportunities to gain formal qualifications while working

Railway work

Britain’s rail network needs staff to keep things running smoothly, from customer service to operational roles. Massive investment means there are more opportunities than ever. Engineers, technicians, and project managers are in demand, but thousands of train drivers and customer service reps are due to retire in the next few years.

You could work as a conductor, station assistant, signaller, or customer service rep – all vital for keeping passengers moving.

Why railway roles are a smart choice:

• Apply for trainee positions with full training provided
• Strong job security and clear progression
• Network Rail and train operator sites list vacancies

Construction work

Big housebuilding and infrastructure projects mean trades are in demand.

Start as a labourer or groundworker, then specialise in plumbing, carpentry, or bricklaying as you gain experience.

Why construction could be your calling:

• No experience needed for entry-level roles
• Paid apprenticeships available
• Once qualified, skilled trades can be highly lucrative

Ready to crack on?

You don’t need a glittering CV or fancy qualifications to land a decent job in 2026. These roles are about showing up, learning on the job, and putting the graft in. Whether you’re scrubbing kitchens, stacking shelves, or helping people live better lives, there’s real opportunity here.