Work Experience 9 th 15 th July

Work Experience 9 th – 15 th July 2015

What is Work Experience?

Work Experience is not…. cheap labour a skive from school a holiday for your teacher a path to a sure job

WORK EXPERIENCE – a chance……. To meet new people. To find out more about industry and commerce. To experience travelling to work. To exercise more self-discipline and responsibility. To improve your self-confidence. To improve your social skills. To learn the importance of punctuality.

Why go on work experience? • • • To understand the pros and cons of working. To get more information about jobs. You might be offered a job. To see what working would be like. To learn new skills and work with people of different age groups. To do something different.

The placement Ideally matched to individual career aspirations. YOU should be pro-active in your search for a work placement.

Work Experience Options EBS PLACEMENT SELF-PLACEMENT

Choosing your placement SELF-PLACEMENT Avoid working with direct family members. Do not arrange your placement with a friend It should be a new experience for meeting new people.

What do you need to do now? Research jobs you are interested in Write a letter of enquiry whether you are able to participate in work experience at their place of work. Arrange when you will attend for an interview.

The Interview Make a good impression! This is all part of the experience. Read pages 7 -10 of the work experience diary. Do some research about the placement

Find out about: Hours Who of work you should report to on the first day What dress code is required Work out your travel arrangements

Remember your employer has given up valuable time to offer you a placement. Be courteous and do yourself proud!

During work experience… Fill in your diary every day. Show A it to your employer and visiting teacher completed diary submitted on your return will be rewarded with a certificate

School Supervision You will receive a phone call from an allocated member of staff during this placement. If possible your teacher will be able to visit you during this time. The member of staff will want to speak to you and your supervisor.

Health and Safety You must read pages 11 -13 of the diary Your first day should include a H and S talk about issues that are specific to your placement

What if…. ? You are ill. Phone place of work and school. Explain your absence and when you expect to return You have a problem with the placement. Speak to your supervisor. If it doesn’t improve phone school to ask for advice. DO NOT ABANDON YOUR PLACEMENT

Important dates Work Experience runs from 9 th – 15 th July 2015 ALL FORMS MUST BE IN BY FRIDAY th March 6

The success of work experience is… Down to you! Approach it with enthusiasm and interest and it will be a worthwhile and challenging adventure.

Your Work Experience Lesley Gordon & Lauren Chatterton Thursday 22 nd January 2015

Key dates • Work Experience Week - 9 th July 2015 until 15 th July 2015 • Self placement deadline – Friday 6 th March 2015.

Why do work experience? • • Test out different careers Improve your CV or college/university application Demonstrate your passion Get information about different industries Obtain useful contacts See what work is like Get a job

Where to start? What environment would you like to gain experience in? E. g. Solicitor’s office, hospital Useful website: https: //nationalcareersservice. direct. gov. uk

Think about your network • Most placements are obtained through friends and family Mum Dentist Colleague’s husband is an architect Accountant Web design company • Speak to as many people as possible!

Research companies online

Make contact Email In person Phone Letter

Sell yourself • What can you bring to the company? • What are your strengths, skills or achievements? • Give real examples (not just a list of adjectives) • What sets you apart from other teenagers?

Research the company • • Recent events/news New projects Latest performance Think about how you might be useful to them E. g. Helping with excess filing / writing a marketing report

Tips for letters Address to a specific person Keep it short (1 side of A 4) Opening sentence – why are you writing? 2 nd paragraph – some background information 3 rd paragraph – all about you 4 th paragraph – why them? Include contact details Have a sensible email address – Keep social media email address just for social media. • Follow up with a phone call • •

A few more tips. . • Be flexible • Remember – this isn’t necessarily your career choice • Keep trying • Let them know if you have special medical requirements

How to impress • • • Be polite Use your initiative Be there EVERY DAY and ON TIME Look smart Ask questions and show interest Be positive and enthusiastic Make the effort to get to know people Work hard on set tasks If you are unsure about anything……Ask your mentor Keep your mobile phone in your bag Update your Work Experience diary everyday…….

After the placement • Evaluate: What did you do that was new? What were the best and worst things about the placement? What skills have you used? Are these transferable? What problems did you overcome? Has the experience helped you make any career decisions? • Send a thank you letter

Any questions?