Your CV is like your passport. If you don’t pass that stage, you won’t get the degree apprenticeship at all.

But here’s the truth.

Unlike what most schools told you, CVs aren’t just about what you’ve done. They're about why you fit the role. You against hundreds of others.

What Makes a Degree Apprenticeship CV Stand Out?

For many young people, making a CV is pretty difficult because you probably don’t even know where to start or even what to include. Don’t worry - we’ve got you. We’ve put together a step by step guide on how you can craft the powerful CV to blaze through the screening stage.

1. Write a Powerful Personal Statement for a Degree Apprenticeship CV

A personal statement on your CV is like your teaser. It describes you, and your passion for the role. Your personal statement is the first thing employers see when they open your CV, so make it count.

The biggest mistake most applicants make is using generic sentences. Instead of using overdone phrases like “I’m a hardworking and ambitious individual,” show them what makes you unique to others.

Tips to Shine:

Keep it short and specific (4–5 sentences max). This is the first bit that the employer will scan, because your personal statement should be at the very top of your CV.
Focus on your passion for the role and what you can bring to the table.
Include something that you’ve achieved or done in your experience. E.g. ‘A BTEC IT qualified young professional’ to add credibility
Include a sentence about your career goals and how this apprenticeship fits into them.

Example:

"As a BTEC IT qualified sixth-form student passionate about digital marketing, I have completed courses by the likes of Google and Microsoft to build onto my interest. I’m eager to bring my proven creativity and organisational abilities to (COMPANY NAME)’s degree apprenticeship program while gaining hands-on experience in the industry.”

It should look something like this..

2. Tailor Your CV to the Role

It’s pretty easy nowadays to go online and just grab a generic CV template. Newsflash! A generic CV won’t cut it. Employers want to see that you’ve taken the time to tailor your application to their specific apprenticeship. It literally reflects the effort you’ll be willing to put in the job too.

How to Do It:

Read the job description and identify the key skills and qualities they’re looking for. Make sure you include these in your CV.
Highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements to the role. Cut out anything that isn’t relevant. Space is valuable!
Use similar language to the job description to demonstrate alignment and attention to detail.

3. Showcase Achievements That Impress Degree Apprenticeship Recruiters

It’s easy to fall into the trap of listing what you did rather than what you achieved. Recruiters know that you’ll be packing stock and serving customers at your retail job. They want to hear the impact you’ve made, not just the tasks you’ve completed.

Instead of:

“Volunteered at a local charity.”

Write:

“Organised a fundraising event that raised £500 for a local charity, utilising my leadership and project management skills.”

Instead of:

“Worked in retail."

Write:

“Provided excellent customer service to 50+ customers daily, contributing to a 15% increase in sales during my shift and earning praise from my manager.”

4. Include Relevant Experience—Even If It’s Not a Job

Employers know that most of their applicants will be school leavers and students with not much work experience. Fill out your CV with:

Examples of school projects or coursework.
Extracurricular activities like sports teams, societies, or volunteering.
Personal projects, such as building a website or running a blog.

Example:

"Coordinated a group of 4 classmates to create a business plan as part of a Young Enterprise competition, winning ‘Best Presentation’ at the regional finals and a prize.”

5. Highlight Skills That Employers Value in Degree Apprenticeships

Your skills section is a golden area to show that you have the skills for the job. Make sure you only include relevant skills to the role, and include some that will benefit your work too. We suggest you split your skills into two types:

Soft Skills:

Communication
Teamwork
Problem-solving
Time management

Hard Skills:

Microsoft Office or Google Suite
Coding (e.g., HTML, Python)
Social media tools (e.g., Canva, Hootsuite)
Data analysis

For example, If the role you’re applying to is in tech, make sure you include your proficiency with Microsoft applications, or any coding languages you know.

Example:

"Proficient in creating and managing social media campaigns using Canva and Hootsuite, with a record of leading 5 campaigns.”

6. Keep Your CV Clean and Professional

Your CV’s design matters as much as its content. A cluttered, hard-to-read CV will be swept aside for the next.

Formatting Tips:

Use a clean, professional and modern template with plenty of white space.
Stick to one font style (Arial or Calibri) and keep it at the same size.
Use headings (Education, Experience, Skills) to organise your content and make it easier to read.
Keep it to one page, especially as a first-time applicant. This should be easy if you include only relevant information.

Here's an example of good formatting:

7. Proofread Like Your Career Depends on It

Your career really does depend on it! In fact, 87% of senior professionals at companies find grammar mistakes annoying.

Spelling or grammar mistakes really ruin a great CV, even if it’s only one. Always double-check your work and, if possible, ask a friend, teacher, or mentor to review it for you.

Pro Tip: Use free tools like Grammarly or AI to catch any errors before sending your CV.

Conclusion: Make Your First Impression Count

Your CV is your chance to show employers why they should bother investing in you. By crafting a CV that highlights your achievements, reflects your passion, and speaks directly to the role, you’ll set yourself apart from the competition easily.

Remember: every CV you send is a step closer to your dream apprenticeship. Take your time, put in the extra effort, be intentional, and let your skills and potential shine.

👉 Use Linkedin and our top 7 profile tips to supercharge your chances of success!

👉 Avoid these 5 CV mistakes that Year 12 and 13 students make!

👉 Support your CV with our guide on other ways to stand out as a degree apprenticeship candidate!