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What if I don’t get the apprenticeship I applied for?

Thinking about doing an apprenticeship? Maybe you’ve already applied and didn’t get in, or you’re just starting to explore your options. Either way, you're not alone. We’re here to help.

I’m Laura Knight, Recruitment Manager at University of Staffordshire, and I know how tough (and confusing!) it can feel to find the right next step. Whether you’re aiming for an apprenticeship, university, or keeping your options open, I’ll guide you through some practical steps to help you build a career you can thrive in.

You don’t need me telling you that looking for a job, is a job in itself! Whether you're actively seeking an apprenticeship or contemplating higher education, it's essential to explore all available options to make an informed decision.

Register

Register yourself on https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/ - here you can search for apprenticeship vacancies in your area. You can filter by distance from your house and level of apprenticeship you’re looking for.

Get Organised!

Once you’ve found some roles you need to be ready to apply. Is your CV done? Have you got a good cover letter ready? If you’re serious about an apprenticeship (or any job for that matter) you need these two things ready. If you’re not sure how to put them together, look at templates on Google. For cover letters – read the job spec carefully and make your letter specific to the company and role (personalisation goes a long way!), highlight your skills, any relevant work experience and your enthusiasm for working for that specific company.

Interview Prep

You’ve made an application and now you’ve made it to interview – which is a fantastic start but now you need to manage the final hurdle and secure the role. Interviews are a competitive process and there is a chance there may be other people being interviewed who have more experience than you (its not uncommon for a level 4,5 or 6 apprenticeship to be over 25 years old) so make sure you to you stand out by prepping beforehand, ensuring that you get there on time and that you’re dressed professionally. Be familiar with the job spec and think about examples that show you can do the job. Why do you want to do the apprenticeship? Why do you want to work for that business? What can you bring to the team? Remember interviews are a two-way street so prepare some questions to ask the interview panel as well.

Reflect and Keep Moving Forward

Rejection is a part of the job-hunting process. You may not get your first role you apply for, you may not get your second role you apply for. Don’t let this dishearten you. I’ve been involved in shortlisting roles and have had occasions where I have had over 100 applicants for 1 job so it can be hard to cut through sometimes. Whilst employers may not give you feedback if you’re not shortlisted, they should give you feedback if you have been interviewed so make sure you ask and use that for the future. Practice makes perfect and the more you do, the more your confidence will grow. You can keep applying for apprenticeship roles for as long as you wish, persistence is important when job hunting.

Keeping your options open

If job hunting becomes too much or you have a change of heart, you can still look at university. Keeping your options open and looking at what university can offer in terms of undergraduate courses offers you a safety net if you can’t secure a role. At University of Staffordshire we guarantee work experience, we offer placement years (both in the UK and internationally) and ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to get involved with industry, giving you the much needed experience that employers are often after, allowing you to still get the qualification and experience ready for your first step on the career ladder. Applying is easy and can be done directly with the university or via UCAS. All universities will have open days which are a great way to find out more information regarding apprenticeships and undergrad courses.

Hear the benefits of apprenticeships with Jess Bayfield from BT, as she shares her experience with University of Staffordshire:

Whatever path you choose, the most important thing is to keep moving forward. Be curious, stay open, and don’t give up - your future is full of potential.

If you’d like to explore more about degree apprenticeships, where you can earn while you learn and get your tuition fees paid, check out our apprenticeship offer: www.staffs.ac.uk/apprenticeships

Or, if you're considering university as a next step, explore our Clearing options and find the course that’s right for you:
www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing

I’m here to help you take your next step - whatever that looks like.

– Laura Knight, Recruitment Manager at University of Staffordshire

(edited 7 months ago)

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