Work experience

Where do you want to work?

Don't hold back, but be realistic. There's obv 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.

Work experience factoid The majority of employers (73%) have recruited students on a permanent basis as a result of work experience placements.
National Council for Work Experience survey

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 for 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 & Safety policy, cos 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.

Written by Ali Cronin

Last updated 17th June 2007

Further help and advice

• National Council for Work Experience: promotes, supports and develops quality work experience.
• Directgov: work experience info and advice.
• Need2Know: more info and advice.
• BBC Work Experience: website where you can apply for work experience at the BBC.

Disclaimer: Thee BBC cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites

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