Looking to become a vehicle technician? Great choice – there’s simply no better way to learn the ropes.
The first part of the process is to write a clear, concise and well-written CV and cover letter which will help you get your foot in the door to an interview.
But as an apprentice and possibly school-leaver, this may be the first serious CV you’ve ever written.
Thankfully, by following this simple vehicle technician apprenticeship CV guide, you’ll be able to send off your first application before you know it:
Read over the job description
Your CV should be based around the details provided in the job advertisement, so it’s important to pay a great deal of attention to the job requirements and ensure that your CV matches what the employer is looking for.
Not all apprenticeships are looking for the same level of experience, so do check that you’re applying for roles at the appropriate level. Some may be for looking someone with no prior training or qualifications in the automotive sector, whilst others will be looking for applicants who have already studied some form of automotive course.
Make sure that these skills included in your CV match the job specification, too. For example, if the employer mentions they’d like someone who can change vehicle fluids, test batteries and replace brake pads, make sure to highlight these in the document.
Start with a punchy profile and skills section
When writing your CV, do be aware that recruiters will generally be reviewing many applications. Including a punchy profile is a great way to help you stand out from other applicants and persuade the recruiter to read your whole CV.
Your profile should be a brief summary (no longer than six lines) that highlights what makes you a good candidate for the role. If you don’t have much experience, then you should mention your interest in vehicle mechanics and refer to any personal projects you’ve completed which involve vehicle maintenance or mechanics.
List any relevant skills in bullet points underneath your profile, so that the recruiter can quickly find them without needing to spend too much time reading your CV.
Continue with a simple structure
Be careful not to over-complicate your apprenticeship CV in terms of the structure. Aim to make it as easy as possible for the recruiter to read your CV, breaking it up into clear sections.
A good, simple structure to use is:
- Name and contact details
- Profile
- Skills
- Qualifications
- Work experience/career summary
Perfect the presentation
Finally, the presentation of your CV makes a bigger impression than you may think. Careless presentation can come across as lazy and is sure to turn recruiters off your application.
Work on your CV format by including bold text and bullets to highlight key points. Avoid using big blocks of text, as recruiters who are scan-reading CVs are unlikely to give up additional time to read it.
Most importantly, make sure there are no spelling or grammar mistakes. If you’re unsure, ask a trusted friend, family member or teacher to proofread your CV and give you feedback.
Andrew Fennell is the founder of CV writing advice website StandOut CV – he is a former recruitment consultant and contributes careers advice to websites like Business Insider, The Guardian and FastCompany.
