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You will probably need to write a resume to apply for an apprenticeship program. Start working on your resume as you near the end of your formal education. This will be an important tool as you hunt for the right apprenticeship. Choose a legible, professional font, like Arial or Times New Roman. Organize your resume in a logical fashion, putting your most recent and relevant experience first. Mark section headings with all capital letters, and avoid unprofessional bullet points or other decorations. List all experience you have that's related to funeral services. If you took an internship in a hospital or funeral home, include this. You should also include any experience you have working with people, such as customer service work. Be specific. For example, say you're writing about your experience working at a funeral home. Do not write, "Talked to families on the phone to schedule meetings with the funeral director." Instead, write something like, "Coordinated between bereaved families and the funeral director in regards to scheduling and funeral arraignments, taking between 10 and 20 calls each week." As you're hunting for the right apprenticeship, dip into your professional network. Past professors, co-workers, and supervisors may know of a funeral home seeking apprentices. They may be able to put a word in for you if they can speak to your skill set. Networking is one of the best means to find professional work. As you begin to get interviewed for apprenticeships, make sure you practice good interview skills. Behaving in a professional and impressive manner during an interview can help you land the job. Use body language to convey confidence. Sit up straight, make eye contact, and give a firm handshake. Nod as the interviewer is talking to show you are listening. Make sure you use appropriate language. Avoid slang words and profanity, and use words related to the funeral industry. This will show you have a working knowledge of the mortician profession. Always ask questions. You do not want to leave an interview without asking questions to show you're genuinely interested. Ask an open ended question, like, "What is the culture of this funeral home like?" and "What does an average day of work look like here?" When you do land an apprenticeship, make the most of your time. Your apprenticeship is the time where you'll hone your skills as a mortician and can determine the course of your future in this career path. Your apprenticeship will last between one or two years, depending on your state's regulations. You'll work one-on-one with a funeral director, learning the trade. Do not hesitate to ask your director for advice and guidance during this time. You may have to pass a certification exam in your state if you want to go on to become a professional mortician. Make sure you pay close attention to what you're being taught, as much of this information will show up on your eventual exam. Bring a notebook to your funeral home and take notes. You should also see if there are any supplemental reading materials that may be helpful to a budding mortician. As you work through your apprenticeship, think about your upcoming career. Being a mortician is a difficult but rewarding job. You should spend your internship seriously considering whether or not the job is right for you. Think about the longterm salary. Morticians do not usually make a lot from their trade, although you can live comfortably. The average salary is around $46,000 per year. Some morticians may make as much as $80,000, but this is rare. One of the perks, however, is that there's a healthy job market for morticians. It may be easier to get a job than it would in other fields. Your schedule as an apprentice will likely be similar to your eventual schedule as a mortician. Think about whether you can handle the hours, which may erratic. You should also take stock of your emotional wellbeing. Dealing with the bereaved can be difficult and at times depressing work. However, you may also find the process of helping people come to terms with loss to be enlightening and personally rewarding.
Write a solid resume. Contact past co-workers, supervisors, and professors. Practice good interview skills. Make the most of your apprenticeship. Think about your future career.