Your CV is your gateway to that apprenticeship... 

This may seem like pulling straws, but this is a major pet peeve of employers. If your email address happens to be johnisdabest@... the most you’ll ever get from an employer is a confused stare. For your own sake, make another email, just use your name. 

The average employer will spend five to ten seconds reading your CV, before deciding whether or not to invest more time into it. A messy, unstructured CV will only shorten that time. It’s in both of your interests to have a neat, well presented CV which is easy on the eyes (perhaps try adding some infographics or charts to break up the text). 

Pick a font that is easy to read on screen and when printed out. 

Long, boring explanations and descriptions used a thousand times over are deal breakers. 

• Employers want CVs to be short, concise and “to the point”.

• Use dynamic and invigorating language also helps to keep their interest.

• Use bullet points to break up long pieces of text, but only ever do up to six bullet points at once. 

This is the foundation. The core. The bread and butter of the CV. An employer may be forgiving for a few mistakes here and there, maybe it’s not quite as neat or impressive as they would like, although it’s still acceptable.

But one or two spelling mistakes is all it takes for them to cast your CV into the abyss (probably a desk draw or something).

The best way to avoid this is to simply check your CV! Get someone else to proof read it and check it again… and again… and again.

For each apprenticeship you apply for, make sure your CV is tailored to the position you are applying for. For example, if they ask for someone who can multitask, be sure that you mention that you have experience doing so. 

This will this give you a much better chance to secure an interview. 

That A* in English you didn't achieve at school, that hobby you said you do in your spare time (that you have never actually done)... just erase them. 

During an interview, you want to be able to answer truthfully to any questions employers may have about your CV and employers will know if you're lying. 

Employers want to get to know you, not an altered version of you, so just be honest, be yourself and good luck!