Advice

Work experience can be a great way to get your foot in the door of a company you'd like to work for, as well as learning the tricks of the trade. Find out more here...

Where do you want to work?

Don't hold back, but be realistic. There's obviously no point going for experience on a London-based magazine if you live in the Shetlands. Find companies or organisations that have offices near where you live and make a list.

What to do

• Find out the name and email address of the manager of the first company on your list (call and ask the person who answers the phone), and email them.
• Don't email a generic address and start it 'Dear Sir/Madam' cos it'll be deleted.
• In the email explain why you want work experience, why you want it at their company, and what you think you could do for them.
• If you haven't heard from them within 10 days, phone them.
• If that company doesn't have any work experience placements, try the next one on your list, and so on.
• If you know anyone who works in a company where you'd like experience, ask them to put in a good word for you.

When you get a placement?...

Ask the company to email you what they expect you to do, the hours you'll work and who you'll report to. It's also worth asking about their Health and Safety policy. If they haven't got one it's not worth the risk of working there.

On your first day of work experience?...

• Dress smartly.
• Be on time.
• Shake hands with your contact at the company, smile: all that good-first-impression stuff.
• If you find yourself with nothing to do, try offering to make a cup of tea for those around you. If nothing else, they'll give you a good reference ; )
• To an extent, work experience is what you make it. If there's an office meeting, ask if you can go too. The more you learn, the more you'll be able to offer to the company, and the more indispensable you'll become.