PROHIBITED INDUSTRIES

Work experience students are not allowed to do work experience in: 

• Security Industry
• Sex Industry
• Tattoo parlours
• Any retail or other business where guns or ammunition are sold
• Abattoirs
• Fishing boats (other than boats operating on inland waters).

Full details can be found at: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/sensecyouth/careertrans/worklearn/workexperience.htm

What if the employer says ‘No’ to Work Experience?

Employers will say no for many reasons and these reasons have nothing to do with YOU!  (Unless perhaps you haven’t followed the 20 second rules!) 

Reasons for saying no may include:

• Not enough work to keep you busy (employers feel guilty about that)
• Too much work and not enough time to spend with you to show you things
• Company Policy (which they have no control over)
• Going away on holidays
• Retiring soon
• Privacy issues (example Doctor’s Surgeries, Lawyers offices etc)

How do you handle rejection?

Remember, they are not rejecting YOU, just the arrangement idea. 

For every negative there is a positive… positives could include:

• You understand more about this industry
• You have succeeded in asking for work experience
• You have learned it’s not so scarey talking to adults about work experience

and….  From every negative you can CREATE a positive….

• Ask if it is OK to call in the future if you have any questions about the industry (career planning/networking)
• Ask if they have any recommendations about who else to approach for work experience.  Write it down.
• Think outside the box, Work Experience doesn’t have to be a full week.  Try:
  1. asking if you come in for one morning for a couple of hours (or two mornings, or 1 day etc) just to observe… explain that you need some exposure to the industry to help make career decisions.
  2. asking if you can request work experience again in a few months time, find out when to call
  3. leaving your name and number and ask them to give you a call when (and if) circumstances change.
• If they still say no…??  It is OK…. remember the positives….
• Smile
• Thank them for their time…

Going in to work to meet your boss to discuss Work Experience? 

This is what should happen when presenting yourself…

• Smile
• Make eye contact
• If you feel comfortable, offer to shake hands (if culturally appropriate*) when introducing yourself….
  • “Hello, my name is ____________.  I am a student at _______ College I am here for my interview (with _______________) for work experience.”
  • Is it a firm handshake*, or a limp one?  Practice firm hand shakes before you go.
• Take a list of questions with you.  Write down the answers.
• Have your Work Experience Arrangement Form with you (this demonstrates good organisational skills!)
• Do you need to take your resume? (Think ahead).
• On completion of your interview, make sure you say thank you.

* Please be aware that in some cultures it is not appropriate to shake hands.  A polite explanation usually occurs if this is the case.

Questions to ask about your week…. write these down!

• What is the dress code?  What do I wear?
• Do I need protective clothing or footwear?  If so, is it supplied?
• What time do I start?
• What time do I finish?
• What times are breaks?  (Lunch etc)
• Do I need to bring my own lunch/snacks?  (Is there a canteen?)
• What will my duties be?
• Are there any special rules or regulations I need to know about?

Your work placement employer will expect you to:

• Be PUNCTUAL – someone who always arrives at work on time
• Be careful about your PERSONAL APPEARANCE
• Be KEEN about the work; INTERESTED in the job and in the business.
• VOLUNTEER to perform duties which you know you can do well.
• Do NOT expect to use your IPOD or MOBILE PHONE at work (except during breaks).  Your employer will get annoyed if you are not focussing on the job at hand.
• Expect NO FAVOURS from your employer in terms of hours you have to spend on the job.  Find out when the tea breaks are, the length of the break and ALWAYS be back ON TIME.
• MAKE NOTES about what you have to do if you are given a number of tasks all at once.
• ASK QUESTIONS about the job, the business and the industry.
• Be CAREFUL using machinery, DON’T USE ANY MACHINERY WHICH REQUIRES A SPECIAL LICENCE IF YOU DON’T HAVE THAT LICENCE. Make sure you understand exactly how to use a machine before you begin.
• Be DISCREET.  If you overhear or see anything PRIVATE or CONFIDENTIAL, even by accident, keep it to yourself.  Never pass on unfavourble comments about other workers.  This will give a bad impression BUT if you feel uncomfortble about something, talk to your teacher or your employer.
• BE PREPARED TO DO SMALL TASKS BEFORE EXPECTING ANYTHING MAJOR. Don’t expect too much – most people will expect you to show your abilities in fairly small tasks before giving you a more complicated job.
• WORK WITHOUT DISCTRACTING other employees.
• Be prepared sometimes, to ACT AS AN OBSERVER and watch what is going on BUT don’t use this as a way to get out of something else you should be doing.
• BE POSITIVE.  Your positive attitude is the best thing you can take with you on work placement.  Your employer, who will incur costs in time and money to help you, will appreciate it if you make a positive contribution.
• DON’T use social networking sites (eg Facebook) to bag out or speak negatively about your work experience week.

Here are some really important things to know…. this is what you should do if:

You are going to be late for work…

• This shouldn’t happen, however, if something happens to make you late you should:
• Phone your employer/supervisor at the workplace to make him/her aware that you will be on your way very shortly.

You are sick and cannot go to work….

• Phone your employer/supervisor before normal starting time and explain why you will be absent.  Give your employer an indication of the length of time you think you will be absent.  Ask if he/she requires you to get a doctor’s certificate.  If so, make a doctor’s appointment.
• Either you or your parent/guardian should contact the school to explain that you are unwell and unable to attend work.  This will be treated as an “explained absence” from school.

You are injured at work…

• There are specific procedures for your employer to follow if you are injured.  However, no matter how trivial you think the injury is, you should REPORT IT TO YOUR EMPLOYER IMMEDIATELY.  Depending on the extent of the injury, the employer will contact either your parent/guardian or the school, or possibly both.  You are coverd for personal injury by the State Government WorkCover Act.  WorkCover forms will have to be completed.  However, if your Work Experience/Placement Form is not completed, you will not be covered.

You are involved in a sports team during your work placement…

• If a sporting event (school based) occurs during the time you are at work placement and it is essential that you attend, see your teacher to dicuss this.  Do this BEFORE you start your placement.
• If you are involved in a sports team that trains during the week and training will clash with your work placement, see your teacher in advance to work out a solution.

You have a part-time job which clashes with work experience….

• Discuss this in advance with your regular employer.  Try to arrange your regular roster to fit in with your work experience.  If there is a problem, see your teacher who can help you to arrange something else.

You feel you are being harassed at work…

• Harassment at work may fall into a number of categories.  It is essential that, if you are not comfortable with your workmates or supervisor, you discuss this with someone immediately.  This may be someone from your family or from the school.  If necessary, the school may need to act on your behalf.  Low level jokes, which are not offensive, may be played on students, so take them in the manner in which are they are intended.  However, if they make you feel uncomfortable, tell someone about it.

Make sure you…

• Phone the school if you have any problems you can’t deal with during your week.  Your teacher will be available to help you.

Thank you Geraldine Gill – McGuire College for this information.