OUR RECRUITMENT SERVICE

To study an apprenticeship, you need to have found an employer willing to provide you with one. If you don’t have one, here are 3 really tips that will help:

Contact the Recruitment Team Our specialist team work with hundreds of employers across a wide range of sectors, all of our vacancies are advertised on citytraining.org.uk/apprenticeshipvacancies You can contact the team on 01274 728316 for additional advice and guidance and to discuss any vacancies in more detail.

Visit local employers Contact employers in your area and ask if they would be interested in receiving your CV as a potential new apprentice. If you don’t have a CV, we offer CV Building workshops that can help. Book your place with the Recruitment Team today!

Volunteer/work experience Offer your services as a volunteer or ask about work experience. You’ll leave a lasting impression by showing your commitment to understanding the job and sector you’re interested in.

Employer interview

What to expect? In most cases employers will want to meet you before agreeing to employ you as an apprentice, how they do this differs from employer to employer.

Telephone

Remember to be professional, polite, enthusiastic and easy to understand. It’s always a good idea to look on an employer’s website before any interview so you have a basic understanding of who they are and what they do.

Face-to-face

It’s important to make a positive first impression; employers don’t expect you to know everything about the profession or their business. The key things are to; arrive on time, dress appropriately, be polite, be positive and ask questions.

Panel

In some cases you can be interviewed by more than one person, they may ask you to present or demonstrate something. If this is the case your recruitment officer will work with you ahead of the interview to practice and build your confidence.

What if i have never had a job before? It’s not unusual that apprentice applicants have not had a job before, however you have a wealth of experience based on your time at school and volunteering you’ve undertaken.

How do I answer questions about skills and experience if this is my first job? Firstly, try not to worry. Employers are looking for potential not someone with all the skills and experience needed to do the job. Think about projects and assignments which have required you to; working independently, working as part of a team, working to timescales and deadlines and working under pressure. All of these experiences will help you when answering questions during the interview process.

What do i need to prepare? • Research the company as much as possible, look at their website and make notes • Understand what they do and the services they offer • Take a copy of your CV with you to the interview • Take any certificates you have achieved with you • Plan your route before the day, if using public transport check times in advance • Have your interview attire organised the day before