How to write a standout apprenticeship application

If you found the perfect apprenticeship only to wind up stuck on the application process, don’t fret. We've got you covered with an insider’s guide to effectively highlighting your strengths, choosing the right keywords and maintaining authenticity. Whether you're a natural problem-solver or have gained valuable skills through your studies, our top tips will increase your chances of landing that dream role.

Identify your skills and strengths

One of the most common questions on apprenticeship applications is, “What are your skills and strengths?” and understanding the difference between the two is key to answering it effectively. Skills are things you pick up through practice, like learning how to draw or code. Strengths, on the other hand, are natural qualities you’ve always had, such as being creative or great at problem-solving. By highlighting both, you’ll be able to give employers a complete picture of what you bring to the table.

Show rather than tell 

Don’t just say you’re good at something, prove it! Helped plan a school event? Show how you used your organisation skills. Captained a sports team? Explain how you demonstrated leadership. Sharing real examples from your life will go a lot further at demonstrating your suitability for the role than if you just make a list.

Use keywords

Your application shouldn’t just be about ‘selling yourself’ – it’s also about matching your profile to what the employer is looking for. Job descriptions often include keywords like “team player,” “organised,” or “independent worker.” These are the qualities employers want to see and they will be looking for these specific words (or even using AI to scan for them!) in your answers. So, make sure you show exactly how you meet these requirements.

Make it personal

Why are you passionate about this specific apprenticeship? Take the time to research the company and uncover what sets them apart from the rest. Are there exciting projects you’d love to contribute to? Have they won awards you admire? Demonstrating that you've investigated whether their values align with yours will help you stand out.

Be authentically yourself

Whilst it can be tempting to exaggerate, it’s important to stay true to yourself. Employers want to know what you’re capable of – not just what you think they want to hear – and relying on AI or asking your parents for answers won’t demonstrate that. Plus, if you make it to the interview stage, you'll need to speak confidently about what you've written, so it's essential that everything reflects who you really are.