Tips for applying for apprenticeships!

Applying for apprenticeships can be extremely stressful, especially when doing studies and extra-curricular activities alongside that. I would like to share some of my tips that helped me during the process and which I think contributed to me securing an apprenticeship.

1. Start early

My main advice would be to start doing your research of companies/businesses way before they open applications. What sector of business are you interested in? Is there something your apprenticeship looks out for specifically when choosing applicants? What month do their applications open? All these things will be helpful to know beforehand so that when the time comes, you’re not bombarded all at once. Signing up to a company's talent/community board keeps you notified of work experiences and recruitment activity, and as you’re competing with thousands of other applicants, being on top of things like this can be extremely helpful. 

2. Work experience and skills

Work experience can be very useful with making your CV more appealing as well as being able to highlight your capabilities in an interview. However, don’t stress if you feel like you haven’t done enough. Work experience is helpful, but not fundamental. As long as you’re able to show in your application or in an interview that you have demonstrated some type of skill (that fits with what the apprenticeship is looking for) whether that’s in school, a club or a hobby, it shows you have interests and are keen in obtaining whatever role you have applied for.

3. During the application process

When you begin to apply for apprenticeships, don’t stop at one and wait for a reply. Keep applying consistently and take notes of which apprenticeships you have applied for, where you are at in that application process, and what other apprenticeships you are waiting to apply for. For each apprenticeship, keep notes of that company's values, their achievements and other general information that would be useful. Don’t feel disheartened if you get rejected, learn from the experience and apply what you learned for your next application. When you do online tests/video responses, make sure to keep in mind what your role is looking for and try to mention or pick responses that align with that. 

4. Assessment centre

Assessment centres can be extremely nerve-wracking. Some might be in-person or online but the routine is the same. If required to do a group exercise, make sure to contribute and engage with the people in your group. Don’t speak over others and remain polite and friendly. These exercises aren’t testing your knowledge but how well you work with others and whether you communicate and collaborate well. Asking to be the time keeper is a good move as you’re taking the initiative while also taking on a very crucial role as group exercises are always timed. You may also have to do a case study; case studies are meant to test your analytical skills and how well you work under pressure. Don’t overthink things and make sure to keep the task in mind and what it is they’re asking of you. Looking at case study examples from the company may also be helpful. 

5. Interview

Finally, once you’ve reached the final stage, you will be asked to do an interview face-to-face. What helped me the most was making flash cards of questions that the interviewer might ask and practicing them with family or friends. To help prepare, make sure to do research on the role you’ve applied for and the company alongside their aims. Remember, the interviewer doesn't expect you to know everything about your role, they want to see if you’re passionate and genuinely interested in what you’ve applied for. Always make sure to ask a question at the end, smile and be friendly, but most importantly make sure to be yourself and prove to the interviewer that you are the best candidate for them. 

Good luck!

By Catherine Ardley