Tips and advice for getting your foot in the door

Be professional and helpful to get yourself noticed

If you think work experience is just free labour and a lot of tea making, you may be right in many instances but that doesn’t make it a bad thing.

It can be an opportunity to try out a career you’re interested in, a way of making contacts in your chosen field, or – if you get really lucky – a fast-track to your dream job. In a difficult job market, a good record of work experience can decide whether your CV shines or ends up in the bin.

So, if you’re a year 10 student getting your first taste of the world of work or a student hoping to be in a better position than their peers, work experience is very much worth having.

Get it:

• Decide where you’d like to work and thoroughly research what they do. Do they offer specific placements or is it up to you to arrange one?

• Call to find out exactly who to contact. Check how to spell their name, ask any questions you might have and find out what to expect if you did join them for a few weeks.

• Email the correct person – hopefully you’ve already spoken to them – a PDF version of your CV with a concise covering letter. Outline why you’d like work experience with them and what you hope to achieve.

• Follow up with a phone call seven days later. Ask what they thought of your application and, if they liked it try to arrange a date to go in to meet them.

Make the most of it:

• Everyday tasks matter, so be sure you know how to use photocopiers/faxes/franking machines and any other relevant equipment you might have to use, without needing to ask for help. You’re there to make their jobs easier, not harder.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for things to do. Day dreaming will impress no-one. Being proactive will.

• Tireless enthusiasm helps too, so even if your work flow is slow, come up with ideas or research the competition. If all else fails, make more tea.

• Be professional, punctual, dress appropriately and smile.

• At the end of your placement, try to arrange an interview with your supervisor to talk it through. Get feedback and ask about any job opportunities or if there’s a chance to come back.

Stay in touch:

• If you left on a good note but there were no available opportunities, drop your supervisor an email a month or so later to check if anything has come up.

• Keep them updated on any further experience you’ve gained – you might spring to mind when a full-time position does arise in the future.

Good luck!