Is there any point doing unpaid work experience?

The simple answer to this if you are looking for your first job or looking to move into a different career is yes.

The thought of getting up early during the holidays, commuting into town and sitting at a desk all day for free may sound pretty unappealing, but it one of the first things that a potential employer will look at on your CV. The very fact that you have made this effort for no pay shows that you are keen and motivated.

Many companies and organisations will happily take on work experience interns and the easiest ways of getting a placement are either through a relative or friend that already works there, getting your school or college to arrange it, or by phoning up or writing yourself.

While any work experience is useful, you clearly want to approach companies in your field of interest. There’s not much point going to work unpaid for your dad’s clothing retailer if you want to be a vet!

When you are offered a placement treat it as though it is a paid job, which means dressing appropriately, being punctual and showing keenness and enthusiasm during your time there. You should be polite to everyone from the receptionist to the boss and take the time to talk to as many people in the organisation as you can to find out how things work and get tips and advice.

Don’t grumble if you’re asked to make the tea or do the filing, but don’t be afraid to ask for something to do if you are just left sitting in the corner flicking through the newspaper. You want to make the most from your work experience and learn as much as you can.

If you are naturally quiet and a bit shy, try to make an effort to be a bit more outgoing and chat to people around you, but don’t pester people who are busy or sitting in their office with the door shut. If you are naturally loud and extrovert, try to keep your voice down a bit and don’t be overly friendly with people – the boss won’t be impressed if you start coming up with nicknames for him!

If you enjoy the work experience and think the organisation is one you would like to work for, get in contact with them the next time you are free. There are no guarantees that you will get a job, but the more that people see your face and see you are willing, the more chance there is that your name will be in the frame when a suitable position comes up.

Case study

Jamal Khan was nearly 18 and had no real idea what he wanted to do for a living when his sixth-form tutor arranged a week long work placement at a local insurance firm. He initially turned his nose up at what he thought would be a boring job, but when he got there he found he loved it and it proved to be the beginning of a successful career.

“I have to admit I wasn’t really looking forward to it, but my dad made me wear a suit and told me to take the opportunity seriously.
“I arrived on the first day and everyone was really nice and took the time to explain to me what they were doing and how the business worked. By the end of the week I was helping out with some admin work and they asked me if I would like to come back during half term. I took them up on the offer and enjoyed it even more and at the end of that week the manager asked me if I would like a job as a trainee when I finished my A-levels.

“I had been planning to go to university to study English literature, but I had no idea what career I wanted after university and the thought of getting into loads of debt was pretty scary. The manager at the insurance firm said I could get training and take exams while I worked, so I talked it over with my parents and decided to accept the job.”

As his old school friends were just leaving university three years later, Jamal had a wealth of experience under his belt and had already taken and passed a number of insurance exams.

“My friends were up to their eyeballs in debt and many were struggling to find a decent job. At the same time I was offered a job at one of the biggest insurance companies in the City of London and haven’t looked back since.

“I am so grateful to the local insurance firm where I started out for giving me the initial opportunity, and looking back now I’m so glad that I did the work experience there.”

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