Work experience
Monday 11 January 2010
Are you in year 10 or 11 and looking for work experience? Here are a few good places to start, plus helpful advice on finding a placement that suits your hobbies.
Why bother?
You may be thinking that work experience is just a waste of time – a 9-5 job will come in time, right? Wrong. Employers really value work experience, and the earlier you get experience the better. Work experience looks really impressive on your CV and it’ll help you stand out from the rest.
Apart from showing employers that you’ve put your skills to use, work experience also helps you figure out what kind of career is right for you. Take a look at our list of job roles to help you get started.
Time to experience work
You will probably be required to look for work experience when you’re in year 10 or 11. Normally your school will organise a placement for you. All you have to do is decide what sort of area you would like to work in and then complete all the paperwork. Don’t leave the paperwork until too late – the sooner you hand it in, the more time your school will have to find a placement that’s right for you.
Think about the subjects you’re studying and a career you’re interested in. Your school will then contact the right companies.
School option
Your school will give you lots of options. You may be able to pick from a list of sectors or businesses or organisations. The length of your placement will depend on your circumstances. Normally a full-time placement lasts one to three weeks. Placements that are completed as part of the Diploma qualification however, usually last 10 days.
Finding your own placement
How to choose
The best way to start is by looking at your hobbies. Heather Collier, director of the National Council for Work Experience is in favour of doing something you’re interested in. "Don’t assume that just because you do something for fun or as a hobby, you won't be able to make it work for you," she explains.
Where to look
If you like sports then visit your local sports club or gym. Or even better, if you’re part of a football, netball or any other sport team then ask your coach if there’s any way you could work or train with them. Here’s how footie fanatic Gary got a job as a coach.
Are you into learning? If so, you may be able to do some work experience with your educational establishment. If you’re willing enough then they should be more than happy to help.
Contact relevant organisations and companies that focus on a hobby of yours. For example, if you see yourself in journalism then why don’t you try to contact the magazines you read and websites you visit? Many offer work experience positions. They are very competitive so you have to get there fast. You could also try smaller or local companies that are just starting up.
One of the best places to find work experience is the web. There are loads of sites online that advertise work placement jobs that could suit your interests.
What to expect
On your first day on the job you’ll probably go through an introductory period where you’ll meet the other staff and learn about Health and Safety and other standard procedures.
Depending on where you’re working you may be given a number of short-term duties. For instance, in a retail job you may be given the task of making sure the floor looks presentable; or if you’re working in an office you may have to complete some admin duties.
You might also be able to assist on duties that are more hands-on – you’ll have to be alert during these tasks though as they require more responsibility.
Take a look at Matthew Bucknall’s story; for the past five years he has earned his ticket to Glastonbury by working in the press tent. Every year the festival hires a bunch of students from local communities to help out with press cuttings, replying to emails and sorting out interviews. "It was something I was able to talk about during interviews – people always asked about my time at Glastonbury rather than my degree or portfolio," says Matthew.
It’s up to you now...
The outcome of the placement depends entirely on you. Make the most of it:-
- Make sure you understand what the role involves. This way you’ll know what to expect.
- Network – make lots of contacts. They may be helpful in the future.
- Be hands-on. Don’t stand there fidgeting when there’s nothing to do. Ask another member of staff if something needs to be done.
- If you’re finding your duties quite easy then speak up. Ask your employer for more responsibility.
- Make friends – if you’re there for a while you’ll enjoy yourself more if you’ve got some mates around you.
