We’ve all been there: to write a CV for an apprenticeship is something most people put off until they have to. There are various reasons behind this, including that few individuals love talking about themselves, so the notion of having to sell oneself on paper may be intimidating. It’s also not the most exciting thing, and it’s tough to do if you don’t think you have anything to say.
First and foremost, this is a how-to guide for writing the perfect apprenticeship or entry-level CV. Although you may use this as a reference for any CV, we have tailored the advice and template to persons who do not have a lot of employment experience and want to start their career with an apprenticeship.
Research
Before you start writing your CV, research precisely what you want to accomplish, from the level of apprenticeship to the industry to which you are most suited. If you know exactly what position you want to apply for, read the job description to see what kind of person they are looking for.
This can help you customise your CV to the job you are applying for.
For example, avoid using the terms ‘CV’ or ‘curriculum vitae’ when writing your CV since employers will know what they’re looking at. Instead, use your name as the title because your CV is all about you.
Layout
Use a consistent typeface and font size when creating your CV. Most organisations or recruiters will choose Times New Roman, Calibri, Arial, or Open Sans fonts ranging from 10 to 11pt.
Your CV should not be more than two pages, although it is ok if it is shorter. We understand that you may not have many qualifications or experience if you are looking for an apprenticeship or an entry-level career.
When you’re done, save it as plain and straightforward, like your name, CV, and date.
Your details
The most critical component of your CV is your contact information. If they aren’t mentioned, how will the firm or recruiter contact you to set up an interview or discuss the next stage in the application process?
Include your address, email address, and phone number so you can be readily contacted.
Take time to think about the number you mention on your CV. It is recommended that you include your phone number so you may be contacted wherever you are; nevertheless, make sure you listen to your voicemail message.
Many people looking for work live at home with their parents or other family members. Therefore, you may use your home phone number. If you do, inform them that you may be expecting a few calls and request that they relay any messages left for you!
Take into account your email address as well. But, again, ensure it’s professional and doesn’t include anything silly.
Consult a trustworthy friend or family member if you are uncertain about your email address. Many people use new email addresses only for job applications; if this is the most convenient choice for you, we recommend it! It would be best if you also double-checked your email account name; you never know what friends could have changed it to without your knowledge. Check with a friend to make sure everything is in order.
Your statement
Put a brief personal statement underneath your contact information that informs the recruiter or employer a little more about you. This is your chance to encourage them to read the rest of your resume! Don’t try to be cheesy; you want to stand out rather than fit in. CVs often include phrases such as “always offers 110 per cent”; unfortunately, this isn’t new; it’s just a bit annoying.
Discuss your qualifications, capabilities, and interests in your statement. Discuss why you feel you would contribute to the organisation you are applying to and why you are the best fit for the position. It’s also a good moment to explain why you want to do an apprenticeship rather than another route into your desired employment.
Make sure your statement is written in the third person.
Education
In the education area of your profile, you must provide your qualifications in reverse chronological order. That may seem amusing, but it just means starting with what you’ve recently done. If you don’t have many qualifications, that’s ok; list what you do.
Consider what you should say if you have an extensive list of qualifications. For example, you will not be needed to include all of your GCSEs if you have a master’s degree.
Please be honest about your qualifications so we can offer you the proper apprenticeship level. It is also critical to showcase your credentials rather than just listing them. If you do not want to highlight your exact qualifications, you might be more general: 5 GCSEs with grades ranging from A* to D (inc. English & Mathematics).
If you have a degree but limited experience, list the areas you have worked in so that potential employer knows the competence you wish to develop.
Skills
Talking about your strengths is a fantastic way to explain what you feel you are good at and why you are suitable for your desired job. Consider the industry you’re applying to and the skills you think they’ll be looking for.
To impress the recruiter or employer, read the job description, discover the primary skills they are looking for, and try to match your CV with what they want. If they mention that you will be talking to customers regularly and have excellent time management skills, provide that information in this CV section.
Make a list of bullet points that identify your talents, but leave out anything that isn’t necessary. For example, if you can juggle, it’s fantastic, but it’s doubtful that it will help you in your application. Similarly, even if you are a tremendous chef, this will not help you get a business administration apprenticeship with an accounting firm.
You may also talk about extracurricular activities and skills you’ve learned.
Work experience/work history
When writing up your work history, you must do it in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. This is your opportunity to discuss your previous job, job experience, and voluntary activities you’ve done.
Divide it into large chunks of text to allow employers to scan your CV and grasp precisely what you did quickly. Begin by identifying the work you accomplished, then define your work role in broad terms. Discuss your key responsibilities as well as your significant successes. If you’ve done something extraordinary, tell everyone about it! It’s preferable if you have statistics to back up your performance:
- Employee of the year received a score of 9/10 on customer feedback questionnaires.
- A new paper file system was implemented, which sped up administration.
You should check the hobbies section below if you have no job experience or have never worked.
Interests
You do not need to include a section on your hobbies, but it may be helpful if you do not have much experience but want to show an employer how passionate you are about a specific topic.
This is not the time to boast about how much you enjoy socialising with your friends at the pub on a Friday night. However, this is an occasion to talk about communication, your bargaining abilities on the school debate team, and your creativity with your blog, where you post images and recipes of your favourite food.
If you’re looking for a job in engineering, tell them how much you enjoy helping your Uncle fix his old cars; if you’re looking for a job in a kitchen, tell them how much you enjoy cooking; and if you’re looking for a job in social media marketing, tell them how frequently you post on social media or how many followers you have! So you can guess where this is going.
References
Your references are people or referees who can tell future employers that what you’ve said about yourself is true; they can talk about your characteristics, skills, and abilities.
Your references should not come from friends or family but from professional or academic contacts, such as teachers or lecturers. Former employers, colleagues, clients, vendors, supervisors, or anyone else who may recommend you for employment are all usual references. Using a current employer only is ideal if they are aware of your job hunt and encourage your efforts.
Ensure your references know that you want them to be your references before providing them with your contact information!
Instead of mentioning your references, say, ‘References available upon request.’