When you are applying for an apprentice program, there are a few key things you will need to undertake in order to get into your dream industry.
First off, you should have an up-to-date resume – one or two pages which lay out your existing education and experiences and can help you secure an interview.
Taking the time to register with a website like Apprenticeship Central can also help you to get in contact with potential employers and give you a better idea of the opportunities that exist in your preferred industry.
Apprenticeship Central has templates available which you can use to build a resume which will appeal to employers, along with the opportunity to contact employers in your region.
While these are great tools to help you start your apprenticeship, one further step which you might also consider is building a personal portfolio of your skills and experience.
A portfolio is a collection of all your experiences which could be of value to your future employer. This portfolio would give greater context for your job application and is specifically designed for the interview process. It can also give greater insights into your work style than a resume, which is something employers will be looking for.
A good portfolio might include a list of projects you have completed, your hobbies, education and any volunteer work you have undertaken. Going into more detail in these areas can help identify the different skills you can bring to a position and the sort of work you already have under your belt.
For a highly visual apprenticeship like hairdressing, you could consider adding pictures to demonstrate your existing skills. Making it as obvious as possible that you possess certain skills will give you a stronger overall portfolio.
If you can include a letter of commendation from an earlier employer or manager, this will also help to improve the appeal of your job application.
These are the kinds of details that employers will want to see from a potential apprentice. Taking on the responsibility for your training is a big risk for many companies, so you need to be sure that you can provide as much information as possible on your existing skills and experience.
Going through this process will also make you more appealing during an interview. If you have a body of work prepared, which you have put some thought into, you will be able to answer questions convincingly and appear more confident.
Even once you have secured an apprenticeship, consider ways to improve your portfolio during your studies. Treating your portfolio as a work in progress will not only give you a valuable documentation of your own work, it can also help you secure further employment once your training has been completed.
If you are looking for future employment as an apprentice, make sure that you consider building a portfolio to showcase your work and support future job applications.
