WORK EXPERIENCE

Why is work experience important ?It empowers and enables YOU to take responsibility for developing YOUR own experiences of the world of workIt helps YOU to make better informed decisions about YOUR future career pathway /university /apprenticeshipIt supports YOU if your chosen career pathway will require work experience in order for YOU to be considered for a university place or employment e.g. teaching, psychology, paramedics…Evidence that YOU have undertaken work experience hugely enhances any application for future employment and/ or university place

What skills can work experience give me?

EMPLOYABILITY

Employability skills

Communication Timekeeping Personal Presentation

Reliability Negotiation & decision making

Numeracy

Teamwork Leadership Integrity

Management Organisational Problem solving

IT

Task 1

What three things do I want to achieve from my work experience and why ?

When can I do work experience?

Students can undertake work experience during the half term breaks and holidays. It is useful to make a note of your dates of availability so that this can be referenced in letters to employers,

Half term: 22 October – 30 October 2015

Christmas: 2 December – 4 January 2016

Half term: 15 February – 10 February 2016

Easter : 25 March – 8 April 2016

Half term: 30 May – 3 June 2016

Holidays 21 July 2015 – September 2016

What kind of work experience should I apply for?

If you know the employment sector that you want to work in, start looking there. If you are unsure about where or what sector that you want to work in , its really important to begin career research NOW! Things you can do:

Try the “Buzz test” this only takes a few minutes to do. The answers which you give will reveal your personality type. You are given suggested ideas about potential career areas which suit your personality type : www.icould.com/buzz

Explore/watch career videos of employers and employees talking about their job roles, career paths and future prospects: www.careersbox.co.uk www.icould.com/buzz

Look at job profiles and information leaflets: www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobfamily

www.eclips-online.co.uk – Login: LitHea5ty

Where should I look for work experience? Anywhere and everywhere

Use your local area knowledge and network of friends and family

Ask your parents and their friends – let people know you are looking for work experience

Ask older students/friends where they found work experience

Use the internet to search local businesses that interest you

Careers events at LHS – talk to the business professionals who attend

Use the LHS alumni network

Careers office at LHS

How do I get work experience? Start looking and applying NOW – its never too early.

The quickest way is to go into local businesses and ask to speak to the manager or person in charge. Introduce yourself and explain that you are looking for work experience and be prepared to give a few reasons why you would particularly like to work for that business.

Examples of some reasons you may want to use:

I want to improve my employability skills

I have no experience of work and think its really important for me to get some

I need to have work experience so that I can get on a particular university course

I want to find out if this area of work is really for me

I want to improve my employability

Useful documents

Letter of application for work experienceCV

Examples of these documents can be found on the Heathen web site.

Click on the tab called “careers” at the top of the page and select work experience.

Practical things an employer might expect

Punctuality Dress Code Questioning

Reliability Health & safety Teamwork

Initiative Use of the internet Communication

What an employer expects Punctuality – Arrive on time, if you are going to be late let your supervisor know.

Reliability – Projects are sometimes planned for students on work experience, so if you are unable to attend for any reason its important to let your employer know.

Initiative – Don’t wait to be asked if you have finished a task. When you need something else to do ask your supervisor. If you notice something that doesn’t look right , let your supervisor know - it may be helpful. If you want to learn something specific during your work experience let your employer know before you start.

Communication – It is important to answer the phone in a professional manner. If you do not know the answer to a question while on the phone, do not panic, explain that you are doping work experience and will need to refer the caller to a colleague .

Dress Code - Smart casual wear is usually acceptable, however in most roles bare flesh, trainers or jeans are unacceptable. Ask your employer what they require you to wear before you start.

What an employer wants continued.

Health & Safety – You should be taken through Health & safety procedures on your first day. It is extremely important that you observe these at all times for your own safety and the safety of others

Using the internet – Check the company policy on use of the internet and email while on work premises

Questioning – Never be afraid to ask questions- you will be learning lots of new skills and tasks. Employers prefer students to take an interest in the business

Teamwork – Most work experience students will be working as part of a team. You may be asked to do very basic tasks at times, do not feel undervalued. This demonstrates that you are able to work as part of a team.