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Example CV and cover letter: the school leaver

This example CV and cover letter shows how a school leaver might apply for an apprenticeship.

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The candidate

Andrew Campbell is finishing his fifth year at school and is looking for his first job. He’s applying to do a Modern Apprenticeship in joinery. He does not have specific experience in the field but does have some technical qualifications from school and has work experience too.

Have a look at Andrew's CV and cover letter which he has written to fit the job description.

The job description

It's important to consider the description of the job that you're applying for when creating your CV. You want to show off the skills you have that are most suitable for the job. If you do not have a specific job in mind then you should think of the type of job that you want and the skills they would need. 

This is the description for the job that Andrew is going to apply for.

Role responsibilities

You’ll be working with the Company as part of a team building new homes. The Modern Apprenticeship will last 4 years. During that time you’ll be developing your skills on the job and working alongside qualified tradespeople. You’ll also attend college regularly and work towards a qualification in construction. 

Key responsibilities: 

  • helping to fit floor and roof joists, roof timbers, staircases, partition walls and door and window frames 
  • work as part of a team to ensure work is completed to a high standard and on time 
  • understand relevant legislation and health and safety procedures 

Role requirements

You should have: 

  • good practical skills and an interest in learning a craft 
  • a good eye for detail 
  • the ability to follow technical drawings and plans 
  • good maths skills for measuring and working out quantities and angles 
  • the ability to work both as part of a team and on your own 

The cover letter

A cover letter is a way for you to introduce yourself and highlight the skills and qualities you could bring to the role.  It's a short letter, an A4 page to complement your CV and explain a little bit about who you are and why you want the job. 

Introduction

First begin with an introduction. You'll want to give a short description of who you are and why you are applying for the position.

Here is an example from Andrew's cover letter:

'I am writing to apply for the Joinery Modern Apprenticeship that was advertised on The Company website. I have also included my CV for your consideration. 

I am interested in the position as I love to make things from wood and I want to learn more about the craft. I also think that working for The Company would be a great opportunity. It would be a chance to learn from more experienced tradespeople who have worked on a range of different projects including housing developments and the new shopping centre.'

Show your skills

Relate back to the skills they've mentioned in the job description. 

It shows you’ve been paying attention and helps you explain why you’d be a good fit for the role. Showing why you're interested in the job is useful too. 

In this example, they're looking for someone with good practical skills and a good eye for detail. This is how Andrew responded:

'I think that you should consider my application as I have a good eye for detail. I am able to follow technical drawings and plans which I have learned from studying design and manufacture at school. I have also achieved a Construction Conference Certificate and the school prize for Construction Crafts. I am expected to achieve a National 5 pass in maths which will be useful when measuring out quantities and angles.'

Relevant experience

Describe things that you've done already that prove you could do the job, talk about what you did and why you did it. For example:

'I love working as part of a team which I had to do as part of a computing project in school. We had to work together to produce a presentation and present this to the rest of the class. I was able to see what it is like to be part of a team in a working environment during work experience at BSB Architecture. Equally, I also like to work on my own and do so regularly as a paper deliverer with the Local Newsagent.'

Conclusion

When you're signing off a cover letter, you need to use the right tone. Leave them with a sense of who you are but try not to be too casual. It's important to be respectful - but you should not be too formal either. 

Here is an example:

'I think I would be the right person for this job, as I love measuring out and working to plans in a team and also on my own.

I look forward to hearing from you to discuss the role further. 

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Campbell'

The CV

Think about your own skills and experiences

It can be difficult to know where to begin with CVs. 

The best ones start with a short, honest description of who you are as a person and what you'd have to offer in a job. If you're struggling to come up with material then why not ask a friend or a teacher how they would describe you? 

A lot of people have never had a job before. If that's you, think about what you've done in your spare time, such as:

  • hobbies
  • extracurricular activities
  • subjects you've studied at school
  • activities or clubs you've been a part of 
  • certificates or awards you've won

You can also use our 3 core tools (About MeStrengths and Skills) to help you understand yourself, your strengths and skills. They'll give you detailed results, that you can use as a base to help write your CV. You'll find them in your My World of Work account. 

Find an example of how Andrew has laid out his CV. 

Personal statement

I am in my final year of school and I am keen to complete a construction apprenticeship in joinery. I am interested in joinery as I have always been good at making things. My favourite subject at school is design and manufacture where I made a table. I also won the school prize for this. I have a keen eye for detail and good maths skills for working out measurements. 

Skills

  • I can read technical drawings and interpret information from 2D to 3D. 
  • I’m good at working with my hands and making things. 
  • I can work well in a team and on my own. 
  • I have good communication skills developed from my work experience. 

Education

The High School, The Village - August 2010 – present 

SCQF Level 5 

  • National 5 Design and Manufacture 
  • National 5 Maths 
  • National 5 Art and Design 
  • National 5 Spanish 
  • National 5 Computing Science 
  • Duke of Edinburgh Leadership Award 

SCQF Level 4 

  • National 4 English 
  • National 4 Geography 
  • National 4 Science 
  • National Progression Award Construction Craft and Technician 

Experience

Local Newsagent, The Village - June 2012 to present  - Paper deliverer 

  • I am responsible for the delivery of around 70 newspapers every day. 
  • I have to ensure that each customer receives the correct paper and it is delivered to their door on time. 

BSB Architecture and Design, The City - October 2014 - Work experience 

  • During a week’s work experience I was given the opportunity to deal with incoming calls, take messages and transfer calls to the appropriate person or department. 
  • I attended meetings where designs were discussed which gave me an interesting insight into the design process. 
  • I took part in a site visit and saw how the design process became a reality and how each craft and profession worked together on site. 

Interests

  • I enjoy music and play bass in a band with my school friends. 
  • I like to stay fit and enjoy riding my bike and spending time at the local skate park where I practise stunts. 

Achievements

Construction Conference Certificate

I was awarded a Construction Conference Certificate after I took part in a one-day event at school that was run by CITB ConstructionSkills. This gave me great insight into the industry. I also had the opportunity to use my team building skills as I participated in a Construction Simulation activity. 

Construction Crafts prize

I was awarded the school prize for Construction Crafts and the judges commented that I have excellent practical skills, an ability to solve problems and patience.  

References

Available upon request.

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