5 Tricks To Getting The Most Out Of Your Work Experience

Work experience is a brilliant opportunity to prepare yourself for the real working world. You’re exposed to everyday tasks, you get to work with professionals and you have the chance to really develop your industry knowledge.

The most important thing is that you spend your time at work experience wisely.

First impressions count

Work experience is the chance to be noticed by the right people for the right reasons. Straight from the get-go ensure you’re turning up on time, taking pride in your appearance and showing off your enthusiasm. These are pretty basic things that will probably come naturally to you, but they’re always good to keep in mind.

Don’t be shy of networking

It’s normal to feel nervous but don’t let it overwhelm you. Greet everyone with a smile and try to get to know them. Ask them about their job roles, what other jobs they’ve done and any advice they might have for you. Use this opportunity to build good relationships with people and expand your professional network. Contacts you make could prove useful when you’re looking for work in the future.

Be proactive

Generally, at work experience you’ll be given specific tasks to do but once you finish your tasks don’t just sit there twiddling your thumbs waiting for further instruction. Ask for something else to do, if you have any new ideas then discuss them or offer to help a colleague with their tasks.

Ask lots of questions

At the end of the day, you’re there to learn and take away as much information as possible. If you’re unsure about something, always ask for clarification. Take advantage of having all these professionals around you and ask them everything you want to know about the job/the industry.

Ask for feedback

You’ll probably get feedback once your work experience is over but there’s nothing stopping you from asking while you’re there too. When it comes to tasks, you can ask if you’ve completed the work to a good standard and how you can improve for the next time. Asking for feedback on tasks as you go along will give you the chance to continuously improve.

Work experience is a truly fantastic way to prepare yourself for working life and help boost your career prospects. Ultimately, it’s down to you to make sure you make the most of your time there.

Even if you decide that this isn’t the career/industry for you – don’t worry! That’s what work experience is all about. It gives you a taste of the type of work you’ll be doing. Love or hate it, you’re better off finding out during work experience than once you’re in full-time employment. Whatever happens, you’ll have gained some invaluable skills and knowledge for the wider world.

Haleema Khokhar also known as Kimi (a college nickname that stayed) is a journalism graduate working in the world of marketing and freelance writing. She loves animals, dance and a strong cup of tea. Check out her website and Twitter at @MyImpression_ you can also check out her personal Twitter at @KimiKhokhar 

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