Scania colleagues standing in office at MK Head Office

Preparing to apply

Start your application journey

Our recruitment team share tips and practical guidance to help you prepare your application. This section supports you from developing your CV to submitting your application with confidence.

CV writing advice

Crafting a strong CV is the first step to landing your next role. In this section, you’ll find simple, practical tips to help you highlight your skills, showcase your experience, and make your application stand out to employers.

Preparation

Preparation is key to making your CV stand out. Your goal is to make it relevant, attractive, and easy to read, starting with understanding the role you’re applying for.

Read the job advert (and full job description if available).
Identify key skills, responsibilities, and qualities the hiring manager is seeking.
Compare these to your own experience. Where have you handled similar tasks or challenges?
Think beyond work. Does your education or personal experience also connect to the role?

Highlighting the role’s key responsibilities clearly helps your application stand out quickly and for the right reasons.

Presentation

Now that you’ve gathered the key information, focus on presentation, the order matters. Think of your CV like a menu: starters first, main course in the middle and dessert at the end.

Starters: Introduction, this is a short paragraph about you and your motivation.
Main course: Career history - start with your current role and work backward. Include company, job title, dates, responsibilities, and achievements. Remember to highlight your main skills with bullet points aligned to the role.
Desserts: Education and hobbies/interests—be honest and specific to reveal your personality. A clear structure ensures your CV is easy to read and leaves the right impression.

Helpful tips before you apply

Our recruitment team share tips and practical guidance to help you prepare your application. This section supports you from developing your CV to submitting your application with confidence.

Your interview doesn’t start when you walk into the room, it starts the moment you apply for the job. Every step is a chance to show who you are and what you can offer. Focus on positions that align with your transferable traits, the skills that carry across different jobs.

Examples:

Welcoming guests and taking calls → Customer service
Data entry and updating notes → Attention to detail
Upselling and cold calling → Sales
Diagnosing faults and improving processes → Problem-solving

Recognising your transferable traits will:

Show you how many roles you’re qualified for
Help you target the right opportunities

Apply for jobs that fit your strengths, the rest you can learn along the way.

Great interviews are built on preparation and research. Start by understanding the company:

Website: Learn what the company does, its values, goals, and challenges to see how your role contributes.
Social media: Their posts show priorities, progress, and culture, providing you with content for discussion.
Location: Test your commute, parking, or transport options. Arriving early and calm makes a strong first impression.

Being informed demonstrates purpose, confidence, and genuine commitment. Use research to frame your answers and show alignment with the company’s values and priorities.

Hiring managers are human, help them connect your experience to their needs. Use transferable traits to bridge gaps between your background and the job.

Notes: Bringing notes is smart preparation. Interviews aren’t memory tests and notes may help you stay calm and focused.

Be curious: Ask thoughtful questions to show genuine interest. Thoughtful questions and preparation reflect confidence and professionalism, here are some topic examples:

What matters most in this role?
Seek clarity on expectations, insights from your research and ask about the next steps.

First impression: Keep it simple and dress for the occasion. Research or ask about the company’s dress code and aim to look professional and confident. It’s better to be slightly overdressed than underprepared.

Scania colleague sat at table in meeting room

Advice from our experts

Our recruitment team share their top advice to help you succeed at every stage of your career. From interview preparation to workplace confidence and professional growth, you’ll find practical insights designed to support and inspire you.

"Interviews are an opportunity for two parties to get to know one another. Don’t be nervous about being nervous, it is perfectly natural.

"When it comes to how you present yourself, yes, it is important to do your best to present the best version of you. However, please just be authentic." - David

"Preparation is key. Before you attend your interview, take a moment to note down some key prompts that can help you answer the questions you may be asked.

Employers appreciate candidates who take the time to prepare, so if taking a note pad and some prompts along with you is going to help, make sure that you do." – Jack

"During your interview, it's important to be yourself and let your true personality shine through.

When answering questions, go beyond general statements and provide detailed, specific examples that showcase your skills and experiences. A great way to do this is to use the STAR approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result)." – Ozen

"For most people not getting a job can be very disappointing, however it is important to stay positive.

Hiring decisions can depend on several factors that do not always reflect your skills and ability. The key is to learn how to turn what is perceived as a negative situation, into a positive one." – Scott