Land an Apprenticeship

Looking for an apprenticeship job is almost a full-time job, and it requires method, regularity, and rigor. 

If you want to be efficient in your search, we recommend that you start by organizing your time. A schedule is important for all apprenticeship seekers, regardless of your professional situation: you may still be studying, have a job, or be unemployed.

Structure Your Day

Creating a structured daily schedule using an online agenda can greatly enhance your productivity and focus on your job search activities. Here's how you can block off a few hours each day and indicate what tasks you will do.

By structuring your day in this manner, you allocate dedicated time for each job search activity, maintain a proactive approach to applications and networking, and ensure regular follow-ups to stay engaged with potential opportunities. Consistency and organization in your job search efforts can significantly improve your chances of securing apprenticeship roles and advancing your career.

You can also use a timer and track down the time you actually spend looking for a job. Check out the following course: Manage Your Time Effectively.  

Keep Track of Your Applications

You can start by preparing a dashboard where you will be able to keep track of all your applications and job boards where you have created a profile and uploaded your resume.

This will seem laborious to create and complete, but it will be extremely useful. There are 2 main reasons for doing this:

1. If a recruiter calls, you will have all the relevant information on hand about the job description and your resume, and you will feel more confident about engaging with the recruiter!

2. By assessing the ratio of job applications submitted to interview invitations received, you can identify areas for improvement to enhance your chances of securing interviews. For instance, if you've submitted 50 resumes without any responses from recruiters, it's important to investigate whether your resume reached the recruiters, if it was rejected by the Application Tracking System, or if there are skills adjustments needed. 

Additionally, consider highlighting your projects and achievements to better showcase your qualifications.

Create a dashboard

You can either use a job search dashboard like Job Hero or you can use a regular spreadsheet to

• Track your job search anywhere

• Log activity – Interested, applied, followed up, etc.

• Get referrals

Here is an example of Samantha’s spreadsheet:

Follow up on applications

Following up with the recruiter after sending your application is an important step in the job search process. While email can be a convenient option, calling the recruiter directly is often more effective in grabbing their attention and showcasing your enthusiasm for the position. 

Here are the advantages of contacting the recruiter directly:

• Speaking directly with the recruiter enables you to express your interest, enthusiasm, and qualifications in a more personal and immediate manner compared to email communication.

• Since many applicants rely solely on email communication, a phone call can distinguish you from others and leave a lasting impression.

• You can utilize the call to inquire about the job role, company culture, or application process, showcasing your proactive approach and sincere interest in the opportunity.

Here are some useful tips to prepare for follow-up calls:

• Prepare Beforehand: Rehearse a brief introduction that highlights your name, the position you applied for, and your enthusiasm for the opportunity.

• Be Polite: Speak clearly, confidently, and professionally during the call. Remember to be courteous and respectful of the recruiter's time.

• State the purpose of your call upfront: (e.g., following up on your application) and briefly mention why you are interested in the role and how your skills align with the job requirements.

• Ask for Next Steps: Inquire about the timeline for the hiring process and ask if there are any additional steps you need to take.

• Take Notes: Record any important information or next steps discussed during the call for future reference.

Conquer Your Apprehension

Feeling nervous about following up on your application is natural, but there's little reason to be. Recruiters actually expect and appreciate follow-up calls from candidates, seeing them as a positive display of your interest and proactive approach to job hunting.

When making the call, it's helpful to keep your focus on the opportunity at hand. Concentrate on the potential benefits of securing an interview and moving forward in the hiring process. Remind yourself of your genuine enthusiasm for the position and how it aligns perfectly with your career goals.

Maintaining a positive attitude throughout the call is crucial. Express gratitude for the chance to follow up and demonstrate your sincere interest in both the company and the role. Even though the person on the other end can't see you, they can sense your positivity – so remember to smile. 😊

By adopting these strategies, you can overcome any apprehension about making follow-up calls. This will allow you to effectively communicate your interest and qualifications to recruiters, ultimately increasing your chances of making a positive impression and progressing further in the hiring process.

Update Your Application Status

To monitor the progress of your applications effectively, consider updating the "status column" with various stages corresponding to the recruitment process:

• First Reminder

• Second Reminder

• First Interview

• Second Interview

• Technical/Personality Test

• Offer Received

• Offer Refused

• Offer Accepted

• Comments from the Recruiter

By utilizing these statuses, you can easily track:

• The applications you have submitted

• The reminders you have sent to recruiters

• The current status of each application

This method will help you stay organized and informed about the progress of your job applications.

Organize Your Files

Establishing a folder system can help with efficiently organizing and managing your resumes and job applications. One strategy is to start by creating folders for your foundational documents, including:

• Resume

• Cover letter

• Excel spreadsheet for tracking applications

• Job posting references

• Referrals

• Diplomas

• ID and National insurance number

By categorizing your documents this way, you can simplify your job search process and swiftly retrieve essential information when required.

As we mentioned in the resume section, your resume is only a V1.  This means that you will save it as a base.

You may want to name it : RESUME_NAME_SURNAME__PATH_DATE V1 to remember that it is your base version.

When submitting your resume for different job vacancies, you will likely need to customize it to match the specific job requirements. This involves saving a new version and naming it according to the job description:

first name_ last name_ job title_type of document (resume/cover letter).

This naming convention not only simplifies the process for the recipient to save your emailed resume to their computer without renaming it but also helps you keep track of the various versions on your computer.

Post your resume on job boards

Certain platforms provide access to diverse industry sectors, networking opportunities, and more. In addition to LinkedIn, there are several major job board websites globally worth exploring with your updated resume:

• Glassdoor: A job search site offering company reviews, salary information, and career guidance.

• Indeed: Provides job listings from various sources, including job boards, company career sites, and more. You can upload your resume, research specific regions, salaries, and job trends, and sign up for email alerts. Applying through Indeed is streamlined, without redirection to third-party sites for application completion.

• Welcome to the Jungle: Showcases workplace culture for over 5,500 companies across different industries through exclusive content, team photos, interviews, and key statistics, giving candidates insights into organizational culture.

Specialized job boards also offer targeted opportunities:

• Dice: Specializes in tech jobs.

• Blind: Provides job listings and networking opportunities for tech professionals.

• Well found: Focuses on start-ups, particularly in the tech industry.

• Outintech: Offers job opportunities and resources for LGBTQ+ professionals in the tech sector.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other job boards available, so it's beneficial to research and explore additional platforms tailored to your industry and career interests.

Post Your Resume on Company Job Boards

Some companies opt not to advertise their job openings on public job sites and instead use their internal corporate job boards. Typically, these companies maintain a dedicated careers section on their website where they list available positions. They also encourage jobseekers to submit proactive applications if they are interested in working for the company.

We recommend that you research all the companies in your area and visit their websites. Check out their careers sections where you can upload your resume and apply for relevant positions. It's important to keep a record of the companies to which you have submitted your resume.

Now armed with these organizational tips for your job search strategy, it's time to put them into action.

Your Turn!

1. Create your application dashboard on a spreadsheet and keep it up to date.

2. Create files for your resumes, cover letters, diplomas, job advertisements.

3. Start looking on public or corporate job boards.

4. Pick up the phone to get first-hand feedback from the employers.

Let's Recap!

• Seeking an apprenticeship is akin to searching for a job. 

• It's crucial to use your time effectively by organizing a strategic approach to securing an apprenticeship position.

• Create an application dashboard to streamline and track your apprenticeship applications. 

• Regularly updating this dashboard will help you stay organized and focused during your apprenticeship search.