Rejected? Here’s What to Do Next to Land Your Dream Degree Apprenticeship
“Good afternoon candidate, thank you for applying to our degree apprenticeship scheme. Unfortunately..”
You don’t even need to finish reading that message to know what it means. It’s the 5th time you’ve been rejected this month, and you’re left questioning if you’ll ever land a degree apprenticeship.
You’re not alone.
Most people who apply to degree apprenticeships get rejected, often without feedback or a reason why. It can feel like a dead end - confusing, frustrating and hopeless. You wonder if pursuing a degree apprenticeship is even worth the struggle.
Here's the truth - rejection is not a dead end, it's part of your journey to success. And also, know that it is difficult to know what to do after that dreaded email. Let’s dive into the top 3 steps to turn rejection into opportunity and secure your dream apprenticeship.
1. Review your CV or Application
We talk about CVs a lot because they are the starting point of your application to a degree apprenticeship. They're also the step that most young people struggle with. Without nailing your CV, you won’t have the opportunity to later on show the employer your skills and more of your background.
Ask yourself the following:
Was your CV tailored to the job? If your skills aren't relevant, they won't be considered
Does your CV look too generic? CVs that look like they can be used for any job application are usually rejected
Did you check for grammar mistakes? Even one spelling mistake can reduce your chances of landing the role
Rejected at the interview stage? Analyse your performance:
Did you confidently answer the questions?
Did you prepare personal examples that demonstrate your skills?
Did you research the company and show real interest?
Pro Tip: Use free tools like JobScan to check if your CV matches the job description keywords
2. Request Feedback from the Recruiter
Many candidates miss out on this golden opportunity to get valuable insight on their performance. Although you will not always get a response, it’s worth messaging or emailing the recruiter to thank them and request feedback. It’s polite, and will make you look good if you want to apply again in the future!
Do the following..
Email back the recruiter after you've been rejected. In your message, thank them for their time and consideration, and politely ask for feedback. Things like what you've done well, and what you could improve on.
If you don't receive a response, wait at least 5-7 days, then try following up with another email.
Use any feedback you get effectively. If they mention weak areas like lack of industry knowledge, work on it immediately.
Take any feedback you receive on board, and use it to improve your future applications. Don't be disappointed if you don't hear back, keep applying!
3. Keep Applying (and Improving with Every Try)
Rejection can feel like a dead end, but here’s the secret: it’s part of the process. Even top candidates face setbacks before landing their dream degree apprenticeship. Use every rejection as a building block that gets you closer to success.
Make sure you keep doing these 3 things after each rejection:
Evaluate your performance and find what likely went wrong. Could you have improved your CV? Did you forget an answer to an interview question?
Reaching out and seeking feedback from recruiters. You won't always get a response, but if you do, you'll get valuable insights that most of your competition won't have.
Seek new roles It's easy to give up after being rejected many times. But, there's always the chance your next application will be a winner. Explore platforms like RateMyApprenticeship and Prospects for more openings.
When you combine these 3 actions after each rejection, you will make your future applications better. Simply not applying means you have 0% chance of landing a role. Continuing to apply anyway will always guarantee you a chance at success.
Rejection is part of the journey to getting a Degree Apprenticeship!
Rejections are tough, thanks to competition and employer standards. But they’re needed so you can learn what to do better in your next application. Without it, you won’t know what you’re doing wrong.
At Apprentice Launchpad, we’ll guide you to beating the nightmare of multiple rejections so you can land that long-awaited offer. Explore our other blog posts to instantly make your application better with our proven tips and guides.
👉 Find out the reasons why you're being rejected from assessment centres, and how to fix them!
👉 Follow our guide on how stand out as a candidate in the application process!
👉 Check out how to answer one of the most common degree apprenticeship interview questions with ease!