Applying for apprenticeships can be difficult when you don’t have a wealth of experience to support you. But experience is a bonus, not a necessity in this situation. Often, what is more important is that candidates have a few staple characteristics that employers are looking for.
Here are the top 5 traits that recruiters look for in apprentices:
Enthusiasm can’t be taught, only encouraged. With apprenticeships, students need to have the drive to learn that will make the teacher’s job easier. But this can be difficult to convey in an application.
If you’re looking to enter an industry you should already be familiarising yourself with the practices, latest news and have a basic understanding of the mechanics. You don’t need to be able to do, but you need to understand how they are done. Mentioning news stories or specific areas of interest/study within your application shows your enthusiasm without relying on the cliche: “I am passionate about…”.
You’re likely to be one of several applicants and competition can be high. Help the person judging your application by ticking all the boxes they want. You can find evidence of this in the apprenticeship advert or job description.
Make it clear that you have the schooling needed, enthusiasm to keep learning, and ability to get to your training on time. Also, include any extra curriculars that will place you above other applicants.For example, if you’re applying for a nursery apprenticeship and have spent time babysitting or volunteering at children’s events, mention this. It may not be an official experience but shows your keen interest.
Ann Pickering is the HR Director at O2. In an article for the Guardian, she said: "One area that many young people underestimate is their inherent digital expertise. Having grown up in the digital world, many tools and technologies are second nature to them. Now is the time to capitalise on these skills and show potential employers exactly how valuable they can be.”
Gone are the days when being capable of using Word or Excel counted as skills. Advanced computer competence, social media skills or other digital skills could make you beneficial to a business. While these skills may not relate to your day-to-day training or work, it's a bonus for your hireability and that is important to business owners.
Surprisingly, many candidates omit prior experience on the basis that it is only voluntary. Any work experience you’ve done shows that you're committed to entering new learning environments and that you can flourish in these situations.
Julie Taylor is the National Careers Service adviser and she supported this statement: "For young people who haven't yet had a job, it's useful to know that many employers also value any voluntary work experience that a young person has had, particularly if it relates to that particular role or job sector – and it's even more highly regarded if this is something that the young person organised independently.”
Rather than assuming your work experience in a different field is irrelevant, employers would actually like to see that you’ve used your own initiative. If it is in the same field, so much the better. For example, if you’ve volunteered as a receptionist or just managed your parent's accounts, mention it - especially if you’re applying for a data focused apprenticeships.
Being yourself is probably the most important factor and easiest way to be unique. Employers don’t want you to pretend to be someone you’re not, in fact, being yourself is the best way to showcase your originality and demonstrate why you’re best suited for that job.
Be honest and open to suggestions. You’re applying for a practical position with constant learning. Bring your enthusiasm and personality to back up your skills and you’re much more likely to get chosen.
Jez Langhorn, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at McDonald’s UK summarises it well: “We give many young people their first taste of work, so we understand that what they may lack in specific skills, they more than make up for in enthusiasm and an appetite to learn.”
AoCJobs, part of the Association of Colleges, connects teachers and support staff with schools and colleges for online job opportunities.
