Keep reading for a step-by-step guide to writing a cover letter for an apprenticeship application.
So you’ve started your apprenticeship journey, you’ve found an apprenticeship that sounds perfect for you and along with your CV and possibly an application form you’ve decided to include a top notch covering letter so that your application stands out from the crowd.
A cover letter is a formal letter that accompanies a CV, outlining who you are, and why you are sending your CV to the company.
The overall aim of a cover letter is to persuade the company you are applying to, to read your CV, and then eventually invite you to meet with them face-to-face for an interview.
Don’t overload your cover letter with too much information. A cover letter is about tempting the company, so that they feel forced to read your CV.
Cover Letter Rules
- Your apprenticeship cover letter should be 3-4 paragraphs.
- Make sure you tailor your letter specifically to the role you are applying for.
- Be clear, to the point and honest.
- Check your spelling and grammar.
- Don’t include a Head Shot unless it’s specifically requested.
- Fail to Prepare – Prepare to Fail
Do your Research
Before applying for any role make sure that you have done your research firstly about that company and then the type of apprenticeship role you are applying for.
Using the Company’s website and reading reviews about apprenticeships completed by apprentices themselves are always easy to find online.
Here is a basic starting point for your research…
- The Company’s Values and visions
- History and origins of company
- Any background of the managers of the team you are applying to join
- Has the company been in the spotlight recently? For example, have they been involved any major projects?
Step 1: the address
Dear David,
The opening address of an apprenticeship cover letter is very important.
Youmustaddress your cover letter to the name of the person who will read it. Do your homework and check their details – get these details right and it will show you care for the role.
The correct way to start an apprenticeship cover letter is:
Dear Full Name, e.g. Dear David Jones,
Dear Mr Surname, e.g. Dear Mr Jones,
Dear Ms Surname, e.g. Dear Ms. Jones,
(TIP – Always go for Ms instead of Miss/Mrs, don’t presume marital status)
Very often Employers will include the name of the person who you are sending apprenticeship your cover letter to in the job vacancy/advertisem*nt.
For example: Please include your CV, with a cover letter and send it to David Jones – d.jones@company.co.uk
If the person’s name isn’t so obvious and isn’t given in the job vacancy, there are a few options you can take.
- Contact the company directly, and ask for the name of the person who will be reading the cover letters for that specific position.
- Occasionally companies can have a ‘no name’ policy for confidentiality reasons, so if they can’t give you a name… if this happens then you can:
Address your apprenticeship cover letter to the manager of the department your apprenticeship is on. If you are applying for a marketing apprenticeship, put down the name of the head of marketing.
If you are unable to find the name of the person who heads up recruitment, address your letter to someone you can find that works in human resources (HR), or someone in the team you are applying to join.
Once received they will then forward your CV and cover letter to the relevant person, the recruiter will recognise the effort you have put in trying to find the correct recipient.
Neveraddress your cover letter to Dear Sir/Madam OR To whom it may concern.Recruiters will tend to think this means you are sending out your CV to numerous employers, doing this could mean that your application and CV don’t even get looked out.
Step 2: First words
Once you’ve addressed your apprenticeship cover letter correctly, you should specify the position you are applying for and where you first found the vacancy, you need to make sure you are being considered for the right position.
If you are applying for a finance apprenticeship, you could start with…
I would like to apply for the finance apprenticeship with ACCA… then state where you found the apprenticeship vacancy advertised.
Tell them you have enclosed your CV, so there is no confusion….Please find my CV enclosed.
Step 3: What’s your interest?
Now that it’s clear why you are contacting them. It is now, that you will use your research of the employer to explain why you are interested in their role.
TIPS
- Never lie about work experience/qualifications, because you will be found out.
- Don’t give out too much information. A cover letter doesn’t need to include anything too personal.
- Using the research you have done, now you can tell the company why you are applying for their apprenticeship vacancy, this is always a good time to mention their company values. You could begin with something like this…
I am very interested in the finance apprenticeship offered by ACCA because of the programme’s focus on future accountancy strategies.
This is a brilliant way to open as you have specified why you’re attracted to their apprenticeship as well as showing that you have researched their course content.
The ACCA brand is a hallmark for quality in accounting and finance. As one of the most respected professional bodies in the UK and around the world.
Here, you have demonstrated that you know and understand the vision and values of the company.
At this point you could comment on a project or a scheme that they are currently working on, for example…
I heard from your recent report that ACCA are focusing on ethics within a digital age and feel that my work experience in IT would makes me an ideal candidate for your finance apprenticeship.
Step 4: Now it’s about you, Experience and Qualifications
Now is the time to start describing your background, and why you would make an ideal apprentice.
TIPS
- Keep content relevant to the apprenticeship you are applying for!
- List your qualifications and work experience, and how they have led and prepared you towards applying for this apprenticeship.
- Don’t include hobbies and interest at the point, because this needs to be included in your CV.
Now you can talk about what skills you can bring to their company, only list a couple of points your letter needs to create interest in you.
Describe how your unique skills, qualifications and work experiences make you a perfect candidate to be considered for their role, for example….
When you read my CV you will see, I have 2 years of work experience doing administration and accounts for Staffs Media and this has given me team-work skills, as well as the ability to work confidently as an in individual. I am a committed student, on course to achieve three A-levels. Myfocus and interest in maths has provided a groundwork of knowledge that will be needed for this apprenticeship. I have excellent skills using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Step 5: Thank you and I’d love an interview
The last part of your covering letter such thank the recruiter for taking the time to consider your application and ask for an interview, for example….
Thank you for considering my application, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you for an interview so that we can discuss your apprenticeship programme in greater detail.
Step 6: Finish…on a professional note
If you started the letter with a personal name, like David, end the letter with Yours Sincerely. If you didn’t manage to find David’s name, and used ‘Dear Sir/Madam’, then finish with Yours Faithfully.
Cover letter example
By using our 6-step guide, here’s a full example of our cover letter.
Dear David Jones,
I am writing to apply for the finance apprenticeship with ACCA Global. As advertised on indeed.com. Please find my CV enclosed.
I am very interested in the finance apprenticeship offered by ACCA because of the programme’s focus on future accountancy strategies.
The ACCA brand is a hallmark for quality in accounting and finance. As one of the most respected professional bodies in the UK and around the world.
When you read my CV you will see, I have 2 years of work experience doing administration and accounts for Staffs Media and this has given me team-work skills, as well as the ability to work confidently as an in individual. I am a committed student, on course to achieve three A-levels. My focus and interest in maths has provided a groundwork of knowledge that will be needed for this apprenticeship. I have excellent skills using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
Thank you for considering my application, I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you for an interview so that we can discuss your apprenticeship programme in greater detail.
Yours Sincerely,
Your Name.
Just before you go…
TIPS
- Check and double check what you are sending, you will only get one chance to make that vital first impression. Make sure all grammar and all words are spelled correctly.
- If an online apprenticeship application asks you to write a cover letter in a text box, write it in a Microsoft Word document (or equivalent), and copy and paste it in. This way, you can check everything before sending off your cover letter.
- Some employers will ask you to email a CV and cover letter to them. Remember to write your name and the title of the apprenticeship you are applying for in the subject line. An example of this would be – YOUR NAME, ACCA FINANCE APPRENTICESHIP.
- Due to Employers and recruiters receiving lots of emails each day, writing this in the subject line will ensure they know what the email contains, and you won’t get lost in the mass of other enquiries.
- Remember, it’s important that you write a unique cover letter for each apprenticeship that you apply for!
Good Luck.
