To apply for an apprenticeship, you’ll need a CV and to attend interviews. Applying for an apprenticeship is like applying for a full-time job, you’re not just a student but a potential employee. Even if you don’t have much professional experience to talk about yet, it’s important to create a professional profile that outlines your skills and potential to employers:
What you need to include in your CV
A CV is your first chance to promote yourself and land a job interview. Here are a few tips to help you build your CV.
1. Include your name and contact information.
Put these at the top of the page so you are immediately introducing yourself to potential employers. Employers will usually look through several CVs during the recruitment process so make it easy for them to find your contact details if they want to get in touch. Ensure to use your most up-to-date email and phone number.
2. Outline who you are as a person via a personal summary/profile.
Include a short professional summary underneath your name. This statement briefly tells the employer what experience you have or what your current role is. Your key strengths and what you can bring to the company. The professional summary should detail your attributes, soft skills, qualities and relevant work experience. Make sure you keep it short and sweet; you want to keep them keen, but you don’t want them to get bored.
3. Give details about your education and grades.
Most apprenticeships have entry requirements, such as particular grades in your GCSEs. The majority of our employers require a minimum of a grade C/4 in English and Maths, but this is flexible, and we can support you with your studies alongside your apprenticeship. Ensure to include your English and Maths grades as a minimum but it is always helpful to include some other relevant qualifications, such as previous childcare qualifications if you are applying for an Early Years apprenticeship. Make sure you put your education and work experience in chronological order.
4. If you have any work experience, give an overview of what you’ve done.
Even if you do not have any work experience directly related to your chosen field, it is still important to mention the experience you do have. This could include part-time work, work experience programmes or voluntary work. Ensure to outline your key responsibilities in those roles and the duration you were employed for.
5. Don’t forget to include any other relevant training and courses you may have completed.
If you have completed any relevant training in your chosen field, be sure to mention this on your CV. This training could be short courses online or work experience training or any other qualifications/skills for example IT Skills, Driving Licence, First Aid.
6. Always include a few details about your hobbies and interests especially if they’re relevant to the sector you’re applying to.
You should include a brief note on your hobbies, interests and any positions of responsibility, even if they are not relevant to your chosen field. This section tells your potential employer a little about your personality and makes your application unique to you. Ensure it is short and professional, you are still applying for a job!
Here are a few key pointers for your interview:
You have your job interview scheduled – congratulations! Now it’s time to prepare, and we’ve got you covered.
1. Refresh yourself
Remember to refresh yourself on the job description and person specification, these are the skills and attributes they want to learn more about. Focus on these.
2. Research about the company
Look at the company’s website to find out more about the products and services they offer and look at any recent news stories to learn about their successes. Also, look to see if they have a mission statement or mantra and read up on those.
3. Think about what you can bring to the role
Be sure to think about what you can bring to the role, your experiences, skills and enthusiasm.
4. Prepare questions to ask
Make sure to prepare questions to ask the employer. Think about what you want to know more about, this could be around the day-to-day activities of the role, or future opportunities within the organisation, prepare a few examples (with evidence) where you have demonstrated skills/qualities such as problem-solving, teamwork and leadership.
5. Arrive in plenty of time
Make sure you arrive in plenty of time and take into consideration any potential traffic or disruption to public transport.
6. Let us know how you got on
Make sure you feedback to the apprenticeship team to let us know how you got on with your interview.
Download our CV Template
Now you have all these tips on what to include in your CV. It is time to create it! Our CV template covers essential sections such as work experience, education, skills and achievements. Download the CV Template here to ensure your CV makes a strong impression on employers.
Explore our current apprenticeship vacancies
Be who you want to be. Explore our current apprenticeship vacancies ranging from Hairdressing, Business Admin and more. Click here to apply now.
Your next step
We pride ourselves on being able to support students in achieving their full potential and progressing to their next step. Whether this is in further education or to start your career, our courses are designed to help you achieve the confidence and skills you need to achieve your aspirations.
Find out more
If you would like to know more about our Apprenticeships and the opportunities they will provide, you can speak to our team at our open events. Book your place now.
