Find a Work Experience Placement
This how to will guide all you students out there on how to find a work experience placement.
Steps
- Analyze your strengths and weaknesses. If you know what you are good at and what you aren't so good at, it will be easier for you to find a placement which will not only be fun, but help you in future life.
- In some schools, if you are taking a particular subject (such as health and social, agriculture, public service) you will have to find a placement which ties in with what you are currently learning, so your choices will be limited.
- Make contact. Don't be afraid to ring up the company you are opting for a place with, especially if you have good speaking skills and are able to talk them into giving you a placement. If you aren't confident with ringing them, you might want to write them a letter asking if they take work experience students and if they can accept you. Do some research on the company and find out who to address the letter to, making it more likely to be looked at.
- Consider your intended career path. If you know what job you want to go into, try hard to get some work experience in that area. When you apply to them, you can impress on them how well that line of work is suited for you, and how much you want to go into it. If you're not quite sure what career path you want to go into, but perhaps know which subject you'd like to study, think about getting work experience in places where you could use that knowledge, and, who knows, during the placement you might find out that you love it!
- Network! Talk to everybody, friends, teachers, parents, etc. Chances are that somebody will know somebody who might be in a position to give you work experience.
- If you get asked to meet with the employer, you may want to go over a few things before hand. In a job interview, the employer will ask the questions, not you. Don't get carried away with asking them lots of questions. Just a quick query here and there will do if you aren't sure about something. You may also want do a bit of research on the company, this will give a good impression to your employer and will be more willing to give you a place.
- If you still aren't sure about where to go, ask your careers advisor for help.
- These tips can also be of help when trying to find an actual job in the big wide world so use them to your advantage.
Tips
- Think about doing some work experience abroad. This is especially relevant if you are considering further study in languages, linguistics, etc. or living abroad.
- An employer may be looking to give you an actual job if you perform well during the work experience, so show them your best!
- If you get turned down for a placement, don't worry and most certainly don't lose hope. Keep searching until you find one that's right for you.
- Some placements may pay you a small amount, but most will probably not.
- Dress the part. When going for an interview or attending your work experience (when you get it!), you'll need to dress accordingly.
- Don't choose a job that you don't understand just to get a placement. Choose a company which specializes in something interesting to you.
Warnings
- Do not get carried away in an interview if you are asked for one.
