Getting work experience

When you decide to change career, you'll probably have little to no experience in the new job sector you've decided you'd like to work in. If you aren't so keen on starting at the bottom and working your way up to the top, then getting some work experience is a really good idea. Here are a few tips that show how you might start gaining the work experience you need:

What kind of work experience should I be looking for?

There are different types of work experience you can get. The most common types are:

• Internships - These are usually organised by larger companies and can last several months. In many cases internships are paid work so you don't lose out on any income whilst doing one.
• Job shadowing - This usually involves following someone as they go about their day to day work and getting a better idea about the kind of responsibilities involved. They typically only last a couple of days and aren't paid.
• Work placement - This is the most common type of work experience. It could last anything from a few days to several weeks; however it's common for a work placement to last 2 to 3 weeks and be unpaid.

How do I find work experience?

Large organisations usually advertise their work placements or internships. You can sometimes find this information on a company's website or in the national newspapers.  

However if you already have a company in mind that you'd like to get work experience with, then you can always try approaching them even if they're not advertising. You can try calling, writing to, or emailing them asking for more information about getting a work placement or internship with them.

How do I apply for work experience?

Applying for work experience is very similar to applying for a job. You'll probably want to update your CV and write a cover letter explaining your reasons for wanting the experience.

It's also a good idea to do plenty of research about the career you're looking into and the company you're applying for work experience with so you're not completely in the dark about the type of work you'll be doing if you get a placement with them. This will also help you when writing your letter asking for work experience.

You should also make sure you know what it is that you want to get out of your work experience and make the employer aware of it. For example, if you've already had experience in retail before but have never worked on the tills, then it's worth saying that you’re particularly interested in learning how to use the tills and work with money etc.

Things to think about:

• Although a lot of work experience is unpaid, it can be really valuable to you in the long run if you manage to start your new job higher up the career ladder than you would have without the experience.
• Work experience isn't just about gaining new skills - it can also help you decide if a particular career route is definitely right for you.
• If you or your family are getting tax credits or benefits, then a work placement may affect these. You can check by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus, or HM Revenue and Customs.
• Work experience can sometimes be a brilliant way to get your foot in the door at a new company and prove you could be a valuable employee to them.