Overview
What looks more impressive on a CV than a secondary school sporting certificate and a referring letter from the Home Group teacher? -- Work experience and a reference from a real-life employer!
If students have not yet had the opportunity to participate in work experience, or if they are not already employed in part time or casual work, it would be a good idea to give it a go!
Work experience provides
- Insight into industry
- An understanding of workplace culture
- Valuable new skills
- Useful contacts and the opportunity to network
- Evidence of initiative and enthusiasm
- Real-life job experience to add to the CV
- A referee to add to the CV
- The opportunity to prove you ARE employable
- A foot in the door
Although it's handy to do work experience in the industry of interest, this isn't always possible. When searching for work experience, students should broaden their focus and keep an open mind. The experience they gain in any workplace environment is valuable, and the more experience, the better. Who knows, it might even open the door to new ideas and possibilities they had never considered.
Practice those communication skills
What better way for students to hone the communication skills covered in this module, than getting themselves out there and scouting the workforce for experience? Many people who are hired for a job are already known to the organisation, so work experience is a great opportunity to get known!
HOW TO ASK :
Network -- Now is the time to unashamedly ask friends, relatives, parents and friends of parents to put in a good word and ask around about placements. School, TAFE or careers counsellors should also be able to assist.
Send out- - Write letters and emails. Contact Human Resources Departments and ask about available work experience placements.
Go Online -- Use social networks to contact employers stating an interest in work experience.
Volunteer -- Volunteer with a community organisation or charity.
Door to door -- Dress smartly, take a CV and letter, and front up in person to businesses and companies.
Making Work Experience Count
It's great to participate in work experience, but it's better if students are able to make that experience count. They will only get back what they put into it, so they must be proactive in their participation.
Before you begin:
Be punctual- This is not only courteous, but it shows enthusiasm and an appreciation of the opportunity.
Dress appropriately.- A neat and polished presentation demonstrates how seriously this workplace experience is being taken.
Put the mobile device away!- Unless it is a part of the job description, texting, tweeting and jumping onto Facebook is both distracting and rude.
While there:
Be courteous- Greet people with a smile and handshake where appropriate. They are taking the time to help you. Thank those who assist you.
Show enthusiasm.- People are usually happy to help someone who is willing to learn.
Use initiative- Don't be afraid to ask questions if you are unsure of anything. Make notes and keep a list of things to do. Don't just sit around twiddling your thumbs!
Look professional- Make good a good impression. Keep yourself and your workplace organised.
Afterwards:
Write a letter.- Or send an email to the employer thanking them for the opportunity they have given you. Mention what you enjoyed and what you learned during your time.
Ask for feedback.- Take notes of any suggestions the employer may have on your performance.
Pursuing opportunities.- The employer may have advice on undertaking further work, or offer to be your referee.
Evaluate.- Be honest in assessing your performance, what you did well and how to improve. Evaluate what you have learned from the experience and how you can use this into the future.
Job Shadowing. - Sometimes businesses or companies don't have the time to host a work experience student for a week or two. Some places do offer job-shadowing opportunities. This involves shadowing or accompanying an experienced worker for a day or two of first hand observation of day-to-day tasks. Although not as valuable for skills development as work experience, it does offer insight into the peaks and pitfalls of work. Listed on a CV, job shadowing is further proof of initiative.
Students compile a list of possible work experience opportunities. This list should include contact person (where possible), contact details and possible work duties.
Then, using the letter, email and cold calling templates in this module, they must compose a request to a business or company for work experience.
Lastly, imagining they have completed a work experience placement, they are to compose a letter or email of thanks to the employer.
Work Experience Directory
Specifically for students seeking work experience. This site offers tips, suggestions and even has a page advertising available placement positions throughout Australia.
If your students are studying under the Australian Curriculum, this activity will get them thinking about how the General Capabilities relate to the skills they have developed throughout each module, how they are relevant to their own personal and learning goals, and how they can carry them into the workforce.
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