How to find work experience

There are many different types of work experience available in the UK, and as such, it can be hard to know which option is right for you or know how to get started. Below we explore what work experience is, show you how to apply for a work experience position, discuss the benefits of work experience opportunities, and show you how to start.

What is work experience?

Work experience is time spent in a workplace learning about a company, career sector, or specific job role. 

Contrary to popular belief, work experience is not just for young people. It is a great option for adults looking for a career change or wanting to get back into work after a career break. Work experience can help you gain knowledge and skills to decide what you would like to do next.

While most work experience is unpaid, there are some types of opportunities where you can earn money.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many organisations have developed virtual placements. These allow you to complete your work experience remotely without having to go into the workplace. 

Work experience is like an apprenticeship, but there are differences. Find out more about apprenticeships to see if that is a better option for your career development.

You can also explore our other apprenticeship articles below for more information on apprenticeships:   

•    Learn how to find an apprenticeship
•    5 benefits of apprenticeships
•    What is a Level 4 apprenticeship equal to?
•    The mutual benefits of apprenticeships
•    Employers guide to apprenticeships

How to apply for work experience?

Typically, companies will have a form for you to fill out to apply for work experience. For those that don’t have a form to fill out (such as for smaller companies), you will need to approach the company directly, which is simple if you follow the below steps:

• Write to the company directly via email or post. Be sure to include:
• Your contact details.
• A copy of your CV.
• Your current availability and the hours you can work each day.
• What you hope to gain from your work experience.
• Why you specifically chose this company.
• The skills you have that support the industry or job role.
• Your area of academic study and your highest level of education.
• Relevant hobbies and extracurricular activities.
• Tailor your application to each company to ensure a good fit. This involves customising your application letter or email and your CV. It may take more time but is worth it in the long run.
• Send your application directly to someone who can help get your application to the right person. This most likely will be the name of a Secretary, HR Director, or Hiring Manager. At this stage, it’s best to avoid sending an email to a generic company email, such as an info@ or Hello@ email address. Personalise your email with the name of your intended recipient, as this will result in a better response.  
• After waiting for your email or letter to work its way through the system and company processes, follow it up with a phone call to the person you sent it to. This way, you can keep track of your progress and show the company that you are keen. You are also likely to receive a response on the phone (or be told what to do next to progress your application).  

Read our employers guide to apprenticeships

How to look for work experience?

There are two types of people at this stage of the work experience journey: those who know what they want to do, and those who don’t. If you are unsure what you want to do for work don’t panic, you are not alone!

The first step is to get an idea of what you would like to do for work. Think about the industries and job roles you feel you would be good at or are interested in. Once you have narrowed down your options, you can start searching for companies to approach.

Here’s our step-by-step guide to finding companies to approach for work experience:

Option 1 – Use your connections: family, friends, and neighbours are a great place to start. If you know someone that works somewhere of interest to you, ask them if they can contact their HR department on your behalf.

Option 2 – If you already know of an organisation that interests you, search for their contact details online and send them an application letter and a copy of your CV.

Option 3 – Search online for employers in your local area. Spend time exploring their website to see if they will be a good fit for you and your career goals.

Option 4 – Go through job boards like Reed and Total Jobs to find employers in your area. They might also advertise any current work experience roles they have available.

Option 5 – Consider travelling outside your local area, as this will open new opportunities for you. Large towns and cities centres are always a good option to expand your opportunities. Just remember that you will most likely want to keep commute times and travel costs down.

5 benefits of apprenticeships

What can I gain from work experience?

There are many benefits to be gained from carrying out work experience, including:

•    Getting to try out your career choice before fully committing to it.
•    Finding out exactly what’s involved in a job to see if it’s for you.
•    Learning new skills and building on your existing skills.
•    Meeting new people and growing your professional network of contacts.
•    Boosting your confidence in the workplace and around others.
•    Getting into a regular work routine, especially if you’ve been out of work or are new to working.
•    Showing employers what you can achieve. This way they can consider you when a job becomes available.

If you would like to find out more about how e-Careers can help you on your work experience or apprentice journey, contact our Apprentice Support team on +44 (0) 20 3800 0144, and we can talk you through the best options for your situation.

Alternatively, if you would like to consider studying from home online or via a Virtual Classroom to gain the skills and knowledge for a career in your chosen field, contact our Course Consultants on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700, and we will be happy to talk you through our range of options.

Explore our full range of training courses and qualifications.