Work experience
Working for nothing? You've got to be joking. Work experience can seem a thankless task, but it can also be rewarding, fun, and give you the edge over applicants when applying for jobs.
Behind the scenes on a BBC work experience placement
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"You can pick up invaluable skills that will stand out on your CV."
What is work experience?
All work is experience, but 'work experience' is usually thought of as something you do to gain skills or an insight into a field that you're keen to pursue. Usually, if a company or employer offers you work experience they won't pay you, though they may pay for your travel and basic expenses.
How do I get work experience?
Whether you want to be a chartered accountant, a lawyer, a surf school instructor, a poltician, a teacher or just about anything else there should be work experience out there - the key is deciding what you want to do. With that hurdle out the way, do some research and find out which organisations offer the work experience you want. You'll have to email or phone them - it's usually best to send off a requestemail with your CV attached and follow up with a phone call. Two new websites both list work experience and internship opportunities: Wexoand Talent Pool (for graduates looking for internships). Remember that if your chosen organisaton involves travelling far, you might need a place to stay.
What are the advantages?
Firstly, it gives you an inside view of an industry; you can learn about what really goes on behind the scenes, and whether this is a world that you want to get involved with.
Secondly, you can pick up invaluable skills that will stand out on your CV. You'll also get a feel for the working environment, which will help you to present yourself on an application form or in an interview. If you really impress them, you may even get offered a job.
What are the disadvantages?
It takes a fair amount of bravery to do a work placement; going into an unfamiliar environment where people are busy can be daunting. You will need to develop a thick skin – you will have to put up with the odd unfriendly person, or someone who thinks that your sole purpose is to do their photocopying and make them tea. If the placement isn't well organised, you can find yourself twiddling your thumbs, or doing only mundane tasks.
In some industries, particularly very competitive ones such as the media or fashion, if they think you're good they can keep you on indefinitely. This can verge on exploitation, and you'll have to make your own decisions as to how long you are prepared to work for nothing, and where the experience is leading.
How do I make the most of my work experience?
- Check what time they would like you to start in the morning, and always be on time.
- Always be smart for your first day – you can dress down if appropriate.
- Be friendly and amenable in whatever you're asked to do – remember, everyone there had to do boring jobs at some stage in their lives.
- Show you're enthusiastic by asking questions and listening to what people are telling you.
- Make sure you give yourself enough time to what you've been asked to do. It isn't a race, and most employers would prefer a thorough job rather than a rushed one.
- If you really feel that you've finished everything you've been asked to do, don't be afraid to ask for more work. People can be busy and just need reminding that you're ready for another task.
- Be pro-active and make suggestions about work you could take on, especially in areas that interest you. If you hear someone moaning that they don't have time to do a task, pipe up and offer to help. You'll get a much broader range of experience this way, and you'll be seen as helpful and capable.
Towards the end of your placement when you feel more comfortable, approach different people, ask them what they do, and how they got into what they're doing. This will give you a better understanding of the different roles you could work towards in the future.
What next?
- If you're still at school, talk to your careers advisor about links they may already have with local placements, or visit the National Council for Work Experience.
- If you're a student or a graduate, visit Prospects work experience pages to find information and details of work placements. Or visit Work Experiences Online (WEXO) for some fabulous opportunities with companies from Sony to Working Title.
- Whatever your stage of career, if you know the kind of field you want to go into, be pro-active. Google details of companies in this area and phone them directly to enquire about their work placements; follow their instructions as to how to apply.
- Some companies will have an application form for work experience so you should fill this in as you would a job application.
- Some companies will take speculative applications, so write a clear, enthusiastic covering letter with a copy of your CV.
- Once you've finished a work placement, remember to keep in touch with one or two of the people you worked with. They will be useful contacts in the future.
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