Work Experience - Student Placement and Summer Work

A bit of work experience never goes amiss in life, and things are no different in the wonderful world of graduate recruitment. Finding summer work experience or a placement can certainly help your employability.

Gaining relevant work experience, whether it's through vocational work, your gap year or sponsorship through university, is important. Not only does it help you decide which career to opt for but it will also develop those soft skills you'll undoubtedly need if you want that career to get off to a good start; team-building, negotiation, communication, leadership and initiative, to name just a few.

Make the most of your work experience whether it's a two-week placement, a year abroad or even just your part-time student job. A good reference from a reputable company outlining some of your key skills can be invaluable in getting the job you want, so even though you're not being paid, treat work experience as you would a real job. Get there early, dress well if the position requires it, be friendly and helpful, show an interest, offer ideas, ask questions and make sure people notice you're making an effort.

Don't under-estimate people - the more people you meet and chat to, the more chance you have of getting a job. Contacts can be crucial, particularly in the media and service industries, so go for that drink with them after work, even if your student loan is disappearing rapidly.
Before you start meeting prospective employers, it's important to identify your selling points; work experience can help you recognise these and will also highlight your weaknesses, so you'll know what to work on.

And hands-on experience will help you see the pros and cons of a job before you start job hunting. Are you sure you want to spend all day staring at a computer screen? Does that lurid green uniform really appeal?

Another excellent way to gain experience is through work shadowing, where you spend time with someone doing a particular job to see how it's done and what it involves. Ask family and friends to help you set this up.

You probably won't know what you're doing at first and things can be daunting, but don't be alarmed. As long as you're inquisitive and willing to learn, people will be impressed.

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