Apprenticeships

[NowhereMan]

Hi, I recently finished school and do not stand the idea of enduring two more years of it! I finished with pretty good grades and didn't fail one topic so I'm not stupid. So I decided I wanted to do an apprenticeship. I want to do one that's very 'high end' and will set me up with a great future. I decided banking would be the right thing to do as I get to wear smart suits, get lots of money and be very stable for the future. Also, when I want a mortgage I won't be charged interest! However, I have applied for some banking apprenticeships but I have not been successful with any of them. I decided to get a job for experience while I am looking for one.

Is there anything extra I can do? I've looked into online courses but they are either unprofessional or too expensive. Thanks for reading and please tell me what you think.

Apprenticeships are very desirable and in banking there are a high number of applications per position in my company.

I would use your career service in order to ask for CV/application form help. You've mentioned your grades were good, perhaps not good enough? So perhaps consider one more year or school, you will find working more challenging than school and it's not acceptable to decide you "can't be bothered". What soft skills have you developed from positions of responsibility? I.e. Work experience, sports clubs, school councils etc.

The apprentices I've worked with have high grades; great social skills and have taken on lots of extra-curricular activities. They can be recruited and selected through psychometric tests and assessment centres including role plays and an interview. There is lots of advice online about how these work and general hints and tips

I would also suggest when you've considered the above you see if your career service offer mock interviews.

Also I think you need to reconsider your interest in banking, it's not all smart suits. Many banks have a high number of staff in contact centres where uniform and suits would not be a requirement. Few staff in banking are well paid, there is a huge variance in pay scales dependent on role and responsibility. Finally staff do not get interest free mortgages! Any banks that did offer special employee rates would be offering a benefit in kind which can actually work out more expensive.