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Have you found yourself at your wits’ end as you struggle to create a CV for an apprenticeship application?
Chances are, you’ve typed in “how to write an apprenticeship CV” and stumbled on this page (thankfully!).
Carry on reading for an in-depth guide on how to write a CV for an apprenticeship. Here are our top tips on what to include:
Have you recently left school? Want the certifications to get your career off to a brilliant start but don’t fancy going to university?
Then an apprenticeship could be just the thing.
Yet, if you’re keen on going down the university path but not so keen on the soaring student debts, consider degree apprenticeships.
The government launched these in 2015 and they pave the way to get a degree without the price tag.
Plus, there’s more chance of becoming employed by several of the UK’s largest firms.
For more reasons why an apprenticeship may be the right choice for you, make sure to read our blog.
Keep this nice and simple – the title of your apprenticeship CV should be your name. There’s no need to add anything else to it, not even ‘CV’ or ‘curriculum vitae’.
Once you’ve stated your name, you must give the hiring manager the correct contact details – in particular, your email address and mobile phone number
If you don’t, how will they reach out to you for an interview?
The secret to nailing the perfect personal statement is to keep it short, snappy, and to the point.
Your best bet is to tell the hiring manager a little about yourself, what drew you to this specific apprenticeship and your professional goals – but limit it to five sentences.
An apprenticeship aims to teach applicants how to perform a particular position or about working in the wider sector.
Make it relevant to the industry or position. You can do so by adapting your personal statement to the apprenticeship you’re interested in.
Are you finding it tough to put together a personal statement? Have a read of our blog to find out how you can sell yourself in a personal statement.
The competition for apprenticeship schemes is fierce. Each apprenticeship will be flooded with CVs and hiring managers won’t look at every single one in detail.
The best apprenticeship CVs entice the hiring manager and implore them to hire you within roughly 20 seconds.
So, to grab an employer’s attention, we recommend:
These are the traits that hiring managers are seeking. Including key strengths in your CV is a terrific way to stand out from the crowd.
Be sure to mention any A-levels, GCSEs or other qualifications when you apply for an apprenticeship. You should list them clearly and include your grades, starting with your most recent qualifications.
You can also include details of specific projects you completed that are relevant to his apprenticeship.
For example, if you’re interested in a bookkeeping apprenticeship, you could write about a time you completed some coursework that concentrated on compiling or analysing data.
If you’re currently working or have had a job in the past, list your primary duties and any achievements.
Use language that communicates action or purposefulness. Using the right vocabulary is vital when detailing your responsibilities.
Stating ‘I created a pricing scheme’ isn’t going to wow a prospective hiring manager.
Instead, tweak it to something like: ‘I conducted market research and led the team in developing and launching a brand new pricing scheme’.
This section is also a great chance to include any voluntary or unpaid work you secured, especially if you haven’t had a paid job.
Listing your employment is a brilliant way to provide proof of the top talents you claim to have.
Hiring managers don’t always recruit applicants with the right marks. If possible, they will also want to hire applicants who have a proven track record of success at work.
This part of your CV for an apprenticeship may be critical, particularly if you don’t have fitting work experience or credentials.
Tailor your extracurricular activities and hobbies to show an employer you’re the ideal candidate.
If you play football, you can use this to persuade the hiring manager that you can proactively work in a team. Or if you’re a sports team captain, this points to your leadership and management skills.
Your after-school interests and activities are key to apprenticeship success, so don’t forget to use them.
How you spend your free time can tell the employer a lot about you as a person, and if you can convince a hiring manager you’re enthusiastic about your chosen field, they’ll be more likely to hire you.
Hiring managers put a lot of time and money into training apprentices, so they’d prefer to hire someone who’s passionate about the scheme, not a candidate with more qualifications who seems less enthusiastic
References serve as a way for potential employers to validate the skills you have listed on your CV.
However, your references should not typically be included on your CV, instead you should write ‘References to be made available on request’ at the end.
It’s best to have two references prepared in advance by asking for their permission to be your reference beforehand.
Pick one referee who knows you on an educational level – for example, your schoolteacher in a subject related to the internship.
If you’re already working, select your line manager as your second referee. They’ll be able to confirm all the abilities you’ve summarised in your CV.
If you haven’t had a job yet, choose someone you know to be your second referee, for example from volunteering or work experience you’ve done.
Pick individuals who know you and with whom you’ve built a good rapport.
There’s tremendous competition for apprenticeship roles, so if you want to entice the best companies, wow employers with a standout CV.
Want to craft a compelling, captivating CV?
Check out our real-life apprentice CV template aimed at marketing apprenticeship placements:
When writing your apprenticeship CV, you need to emphasise your transferable skills and passion for the programme.
Use our clear-cut CV template above to show your enthusiasm for the apprenticeship to which you’re applying and entice employers to delve deeper into your CV.
Need a little more help? Make use of one our expert CV writers and don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
Good luck with your next application!
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