Tips & Advice
TAW TOP TIPS (for writing a cv)
- Ensure your CV is no longer than 2 pages long.
- Make your headings between 14 and 18 points and your main body of text between 10 and 12.
- Ensure your CV reflects who you are, it allows your interview to go more smoothly.
- You don't need to include a photo, let your skills and experience speak for you Include interesting hobbies that require a level of dedication such as team sports.
- Target your CV to each different job you apply for, these small changes can make a big difference in how your CV comes across.
- Use keywords that companies will look for in your CV.
- Space out your text, this makes it more appealing to initially look at and read.
- Avoid cliches as this will not allow you to stand out against the competition.
- Use numbers and statistics where possible, to back up your achievements.
- Remember that on average it takes 7 seconds to decide on whether a CV goes into the Yes or No pile….grab their attention at the start!
10 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
- Tell Me About Yourself.
- How Did You Hear About This Position?
- Why Do You Want to Work at This Company?
- Why Do You Want This Job?
- Why Should We Hire You?
- What Can You Bring to the Company?
- What Are Your Greatest Strengths?
- What Do You Consider to Be Your Weaknesses?
- Tell Me About a Challenge or Conflict You’ve Faced at Work, and How You Dealt With It.
- Tell me about a time you demonstrated Leadership Skills
Be ready to ask questions yourself at the end, this is just an example however there are many more. It shows you are prepared and are making sure it’s the right fit for you.
- How would you describe your organisation's culture?
- Can you elaborate on the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?
- How do you see this company evolving over the next five years?
- What are the biggest challenges the company is facing right now?
- What is your timeline and what are the next steps?
- Research the company – you are not expected to memorise everything but it helps if they ask if you have researched them or to drop it into a response.
- Make sure you really read the job description well, your responses should show that you have considered the skills, qualities and experience required and that you can meet them.
- Practice with a friend or family, preparing your answers for common interview questions.
- When giving examples you can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action and Result).
- Plan your interview outfit, don’t leave it to chance on the day, interviews are rarely casual, so think smart.
- Don’t be afraid to take your CV, it can act as a prompt, also a pen and notebook in case you need to make any notes.
- Take a bottle of water in with you, if you need a moment, calmly take a sip of your water while you collect your thoughts.
- As easy as it is to say, try to stay calm, remember they may have never interviewed before so they could be nervous too.
- Be polite at all times and think about your body language, thank them at the end of the interview for their time.
- And most importantly make sure all mobile devices are switched to complete silence or off as this can spoil the best of interviews!
- First day impressions are always so important, be friendly and welcoming, smile and feel its ok to engage.
- Timekeeping is essential – delays can happen, buses can be late but always have your line managers details so you can let them know on the way.
- Show a positive attitude, be interested, take notes if in meetings and stick to deadlines.
- Don’t bottle anything up, if you have any concerns its always best to talk them through, calmly explaining what they are.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, everyone was new at some point and had the same nerves. Remember no question is silly, just not asking it is!
- Interact with your colleagues, a work environment can be a great social environment too.
- Preparation is key – prep for meetings, your reviews, your training assessor visit, think in advance.
- Its never too early to be thinking of what your next steps will be, is there promotion for the future? Maybe a different department that you think you would like to be in.
- Progression is fantastic and showing your commitment and enthusiasm and making a positive impact with the right attitude can certainly move you up the career ladder!
Dylan Langford -
My first piece of advice that I have for anyone that is thinking about taking an apprenticeship would be that your CV must stand out. This is because employers see the same kind of qualities and traits lots when looking for apprentices. You must make your CV different and show them that you would be the best fit for them. Tell them the qualities that you have but also include where and how you have used them.
Also, you should ask the employer questions about how you are going to work within the role as this shows you have a genuine interest in the vacant position.
When you get an apprenticeship you need to show that you are eager to learn your roles and responsibilities and also to learn about how the business operates and their ethos. Additionally, you should ask questions wherever/whenever possible so that you get as much experience and knowledge as possible.
Finally, you should try to speak to employees within the business that started off as apprentices, as they can tell you lots of tips and tricks. They are also going to be able to help you be more planned and organised when balancing your coursework and job.
got a question?
“The Apprenticeship Works handle all the advertising, CV vetting and first interview for me. It means that the right people are sent to us. When we take someone on The Apprenticeship Works is there to provide on-going support, dealing with wages, holidays and any personal issues that can arise, after all we are working with young people who can find the transition from school to employment daunting.”
Carwood’s general manager Anthony James
Over the period we have worked with the apprenticeship works we have successfully trained Apprentices in Business Admin and Customer Services. After successful completion of the qualifications/training the Apprentices have gained permanent full-time employment with us. I cannot recommend Apprenticeship works enough to give young people the opportunity to learn in a stable working environment with a view to future employment.
The staff at Apprenticeship works are approachable and willing to offer any support requested. Therefore we have enjoyed a happy business relationship for the last 7 years.
Shepherds Solicitors
“Working with The Apprenticeship Works is a collaboration,” says Anthony, “we are both here to make sure the right young people get the right apprenticeship for the benefit of the business and for the right start in their working life. It is about managing the transition from school to employment with training bolted on.”
Carwood’s general manager Anthony James
