Work experience & part-time jobs
All pupils in Year 11 have the opportunity to experience two weeks in the world of work in the Summer term after their GCSE exams with Year 12 students undertaking a week in Lent Term. Pupils and students are expected to organise their own placements and are supported with this by the Career Coordinator.
Work experience provides a powerful tool for the development of young people, providing many pupils with the opportunity to excel in different and demanding circumstances doing much for many individuals’ self esteem. Work experience provides pupils with the opportunity to find out what it is like having to go to work everyday rather than being a student coming to school and can help them to have a clearer idea of what type of job or career they would like to have in the future. They are encouraged to develop team-working, time-keeping and communication skills as well as using their initiative and facing new challenges. Work experience often helps pupils to get a job later on when they have left school or possibly a part time job while they are still at school as well as Sixth Form, College and University applications.
Top Tips for finding a work experience placement
• What career interests do you have?
If you have some ideas about what job/career you would like in the future, is it possible to get some work experience in this area or in something related to it? It will look great on your CV and will enhance your career opportunities.
• What type of work experience would you like?
Is there something you have an interest in e.g. sport, animals, food, music etc. it would be ideal if you could get experience in something you enjoyed or were interested in.
• What about getting experience in something you have never considered?
It can sometimes be difficult to get work experience in something you are interested in, some areas of work will not permit young people to get work experience, often for health and safety reasons. Why not get experience in a completely different field? This will broaden your knowledge of the job market and you will still develop useful and transferable employability skills which will look great on your CV.
• Who do you know?
Think about people you know who may be able to help you find a placement: family/friends/neighbours/parents of friends/local employers/teachers/people who run the clubs/hobbies that you do, your school Careers Adviser.
• How will you approach the employer?
Will you go in person, write a letter or email, or will you ring up? If you are going to telephone then please see Top Tips for telephoning employers. If you are going to go in and ask in person then remember to:
- Dress smartly – that’s the first thing an employer will notice
- Don’t go with a friend – be brave and stand on your two feet
- Take a copy of your CV or contact details so you can leave it with them
If you plan to write or email, please see the example email below, which you can amend and send. Ring first to get an email address.
• Make notes - before getting in touch make notes to help you , some people prefer bullet point others prefer to write a little script as a prompt (see below for an example)
• Introduce yourself – clearly state your name, where you are from ( I am in Year XX at St Edwards College) and who you want to speak to, remembering to be polite!
• Explain why you are getting in touch - e.g. ‘I am making an enquiry about the possibility of some work experience with you’, be clear about why you are ringing them and keep it brief, most employers are very busy people!
• Have information to hand – make sure you have the dates of your work experience and the contact details for the school work experience coordinator. Also have our email address and mobile number to hand.
• Practice - If you are a little nervous then practice what you will say with a friend or family member, the more you practice what you are going to say the less nervous you will be.
• Make notes - if they give you information then explain that you will write it down and ask them to go slowly, don’t be afraid to ask them to spell any difficult names or addresses.
• Summarise - before you finish speaking with the employer make sure you have understood them correctly; you could repeat what they have said e.g. “I need to ring back tomorrow to speak to the manager Mr Brown”
• Thank them for their time– it is very important to create a positive last impression so remember to thank them for their time.
Example email to employer
Subject: St Edward's Year 12 Student work experience
Dear (insert name of employer)
I am a pupil in Year XX at St Edward's College and I have a keen interest in (insert the area of work). I have been interested in this for a long time as I am (insert why you are interested in the area of work). I have researched your company/organisation and would really like to undertake one weeks work experience with you. I am a hardworking, conscientious pupil who is targeted for (insert target GCSE grades). I have also attached my CV for your attention.
My work experience dates are (insert dates). I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards (insert your name and mobile number)
Top Tips for Getting a Part Time Job
• What age can I work from? You can work from the age of 13, but there are regulations see https://www.gov.uk/child-employment
• What type of part time work would you like? Is there something you have an interest in e.g. sport, animals, food, fashion, bikes, hair & beauty, etc it would be ideal if you could get a job in something you were interested in as this would be relevant work experience and you would also be getting paid! Win win! Go in to local shops and ask, often the smaller independent shops will employ people under the age of 16.
• Who do you know? Most part time jobs are filled by word of mouth, this means someone recommends or knows someone, is there anyone you could ask about a part time job opportunity?
• How will you apply? Will you go in person or will you ring up? If you are going to ring up then please see Top Tips for Ringing Employers. If you are going to go in and ask in person then remember to:
- Dress smartly – that’s the first thing an employer will notice
- Don’t go with a friend – be brave and stand on your two feet
- Take a few copies of your CV so you can leave it with them
• Nervous? - practice what you will say with a friend or family member, the more you practice the less nervous you will be!
Speaking to the employer
• Introduce yourself – clearly state your name, where you are from ( I am in Year 11 at XXXXX School) and who you want to speak to.
• Explain why you are getting in touch with them - be clear about what you are asking them, keep it brief, most employers are very busy people!.
• The X Factor – give yourself a head start and an advantage by preparing a few key points to show yourself in a positive way, you could offer to work a days trial unpaid this would show your motivation and commitment.
• Follow up – a week or two after you have approached an employer it’s always a good idea to follow up and check the current situation, maybe leave your CV again, once again this shows your motivation.
• Contact details – remember to ask for their contact details; email/mobile.
• Thank them for their time– it is very important to create a positive last impression so remember to thank them for their time.
Top tips for great CVs, covering letters and applying for jobs online
Successful CVs
• Presentation - use a clear professional font and keep it all the same size.
• One sided – keep it short and to the point.
• Organise – use headings and sections for different information.
• Customise –make sure your personalise your CV for different jobs, use the job description or what you know about the work to tailor your CV.
• Check it - and triple check it! Make sure there are no silly spelling/punctuation mistakes. Get someone to check over it for you.
Successful Covering letters
• What to include – state what job you are applying for and why, explain why you are suitable including any relevant experience/skills/qualities that you have, show you have researched the organisation by mentioning something about them in the letter or why you want to work for them.
• Presentation – make sure it is neatly written/ideally typed (useful for online applications), check it & ask someone to check it over for you.
• Keep it brief - ideally 4 or 5 paragraphs and one side of A4.
• Address it correctly – make sure it is sent to the right person if you don’t know who it is, ring the organisation and ask for their name, use the correct full postal address.
Applying for jobs online successfully
• Email address - you will need a simple and sensible email address.
• Read everything – make sure you read all the application details before starting as they may ask for information that you will need to get ready.
• Have information to hand – make sure you have your CV or a completed paper application to refer to, for dates/information when you are completing your online application.
• Time - make sure you have enough time to complete and send the form, as sometimes you cannot save the form as you go.
• Complete form and save –check over the online form, save it (if possible) and then send it. Ask the employer to confirm receipt of the form.
• CV & covering letter - make sure you have an electronic version of your CV and a covering letter as you may need to attach them.
