Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships FAQ
Apprenticeships are changing. They’re not just for trades anymore; you’ll find apprentices in almost every industry you can think of — from banks, to manufacturing, to marketing and more.
The schemes provide a real alternative to college, sixth form or university. In fact, statistics show that 89% of bosses say that they’d take an apprenticeship if they were starting out on their career now, and 30% of their company’s senior management are former apprentices.
Not sure if it’s right for you? Let’s take a look at what apprenticeships entail:
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a structured training programme which mixes work-based learning with classroom education. You’ll receive on-the-job training to build up your knowledge and skills, and earn money at the same time.
Who can be an apprentice?
You must be a UK or EU citizen aged 16 years old or over. If you don’t hold an NHQ Level 4 qualification, it will be fully funded by the government, so there will be no training costs for you.
How long does an apprenticeship last for?
Typically, you’ll complete it over a 12 month period, but that will depend on factors like the requirements of your employer and how long it takes you to gain the required range of experience.
What’s the benefit for me?
In addition to gaining valuable workplace experience, at the end of the apprenticeship you’ll achieve a nationally recognised qualification. You’ll be given time off work to complete your studying, and you’ll also receive at least 28 days paid annual leave.
Your
CV
Writing a CV
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Your CV is your chance to show you have the right experience, knowledge, skills and drive to do the job. So, it’s worth taking some time to perfect it.
How to write a winning CV
1. Start with your personal information
Your name, address, phone number
2. List your career history
How long you were employed for and your key achievements
3. Detail your education
If you have a degree there’s no need to list each module results
4. Interests
Relate these to the skills the job you’re applying for requires
5. Proof read
Check your spelling and grammar and use short sharp sentences
6. Formatting
Keep your CV under two pages long and use subheadings and bullet points
7. Register with ES ( Every Staff Ltd)
click here to register an account with us
Do
Showcase your achievements
Companies are results-orientated so emphasise how you made a difference in your previous roles
Tweak your CV
Make sure your CV suits the specific position you’re applying for
Commit it to memory
It will be the basis of your interview, so be prepared to discuss everything you’ve listed
Don’t
Exaggerate
Honesty is absolutely the best policy, make sure all the information is accurate and up-to-date
Leave gaps in your employment history
Let them know why you weren’t in work, for example travelling or redundancy
Use jargon or abbreviations
You’ll risk making your CV difficult to read.
CV Template
Cover Letter Template
References
Choosing your references
References are used to help determine if you’re right for the job, so it’s important to choose people who can speak knowledgeably about your professional and personal attributes.
Who should be your reference?
Your reference should be someone who knows you well and who you would be happy to answer these typical questions:
How would you describe [name]’s professional style?
What was [name]’s major contribution to the organisation?
Why did [name]’s leave your company?
What are [name]’s strengths? Weaknesses?
What transferable skills can [name]’s bring to this position?
What type of management style would best fit with [name]’s approach?
Commonly used referees
Your most recent/current employer
Long-time professional contact
Colleague
University/College tutor or lecturer
Interview
Interview guidance
Before
Research the company
This shows you take an interest in what they do. Take a look at their website and read recent articles about the organisation. Make a note of any major changes, and basic information like their annual sales, number of employees, geographic location and latest industry trends.
Be prepared
Practise answers to common interview questions – e.g. what are your strengths and weaknesses?
Prepare questions for the interviewer
Have two or three questions ready to ask the interviewer to show you really want the job.
Dress for success
If you're unsure what to wear, it's always better to be slightly overdressed.
During
Do
Use positive body language
Posture and eye contact says a lot about your interest in the job
Keep your responses relevant to the question
Take the time to gather your thoughts so you can give a clear response
Be clear why you want the job
Prepare to illustrate why you're the best person for the role.
Don't
Use tentative language
Avoid phrases like “I feel I could” and “I think I can” — be firm
Speak negatively about past employers
This can give the impression you're a difficult employee
Be evasive
Turn any career gaps on your CV into a positive.
After
Close on a positive note
Professionally sum up why you're the best person for the role.
Thank the interviewer
Show you appreciate them considering you for the job; think about sending a thank you note within 24 hours too.
Be patient
Remember a hiring decision might not be made straight away.
Your
career
Managing your career
From time-to-time, it's important to re-evaluate where you are and where you want to go in your career. Putting together a career plan is a great way to formalise your aspirations, and work out what you need to do to take the next step in your career. To develop a career plan you need to consider:
Where you are
Start by updating your CV with new responsibilities and achievements and then use this as a starting point to think about how satisfied you are with your current job. Are there new skills you want to learn? Do you want to build on your list of accomplishments?
Where you want to be
Think about what motivates you? What do you like to do? What experiences do you enjoy? What's going to happen in your industry? What skills/knowledge will be needed? How can your skills transfer to other industries? What type of company do you want to work for?
How you're going to get there
Think about the short and long term goals that help you achieve your aspirations. Short term goals, such as organising your working day more effectively, should move you closer to achieving your long term goals. Next, write down the steps you need to achieve them with a timeline and deadline.
Think about the short and long term goals that help you achieve your aspirations. Short term goals, such as organising your working day more effectively, should move you closer to achieving your long term goals. Next, write down the steps you need to achieve them with a timeline and deadline.
How
to resign
How to resign
When you're ready to move on to another company, it's important to make your resignation from your current employer as positive as possible.
When resigning, remember to:
Follow proper resignation protocol by writing a short and direct resignation letter
Deliver your resignation letter to your boss in person; ease your nerves by practising what you're going to say in advance, including how you'll react to a counter-offer
Be positive about your experiences with your employer. Don't burn your bridges during an exit interview
Get all your questions answered before you leave — that might be about benefits, unused annual leave and other compensation you're expecting.
Resigning isn't about airing your grievances. It's about moving onwards and upwards to something new in a positive way.
Networking
Mastering online networking
As the world's largest professional social network, LinkedIn now plays a big part in finding a new job. A good profile helps you to stand out from the crowd. It's not just about the job you do, it's about showing the world who you are and what you're best at.
At ES (Every Staff Ltd), this is something we know all about. Every single one of our recruitment consultants take part in #RelationshipsMatter, an ongoing training programme to make sure that we're all up-to-speed on the latest developments in the world of social media.
Optimising your profile helps potential employers find you when they're searching LinkedIn for people to join them. So what should you be doing? Here are some ideas:
Add your photo — People are much more likely to connect with you if your profile include a photo, so make sure you include a headshot of yourself in professional attire;
Change your professional headline — Include your job title, company name, and what you specialise in; this will help you to rank highly in search results when potential employers are looking for suitable candidates;
Include a summary — Sum up in two-three paragraphs who you are, what your job involves, why people should connect with you, and some information about the organisation you currently work for;
Ask for recommendations — Don't be afraid to ask your old boss and people that you've worked with to recommend you; it's a great way to show from an outsider's perspective what you're really like;
Regularly send out updates — Stay at the front of your connections' minds by sharing news and information about what's happening in your sector, this helps to build up your credibility;
Join groups — This can help you to showcase your expertise to other people in your sector.
