Another 'sheppartoncareerinfo' Blog
SEARCH 4 a place?
Searching for a place for work experience?
Search…. Your School’s Careers Advisor
Aug 8th
Your School’s Careers Advisor is an excellent source of ideas and contacts for work experience.
If your Careers Advisor uses the database “Work Expo” then a list of employers can be produced based upon your top 3 interest areas. Employers on this list have hosted students from your school in the past and are familiar with the Work Experience Program.
Make an appointment to see your Career’s Advisor - don’t forget to ask for the list from “Work Expo“.
What do you do with the Work Experience List?
Take it home and talk to your parents/guardians, decide on which employer you would like to approach.
Who approaches the employer?
Employers prefer the person seeking work experience to make the effort to call or drop in to ask about it, however, your Careers Advisor may be happy to call the employer to see if it is OK for you to call or drop by to discuss the possibility of work experience.
SEARCH via Yellow Pages
Aug 8th
Searching via the Yellow Pages (or local directories) is an excellent way to locate businesses to approach for work experience.
http://www.yellowpages.com.au/
Clue: look at the suggestions they give for the ‘What’ and ‘Where’ boxes. For example you might be looking for a
- plumber in Shepparton VIC , or a
- Hairdresser in Cobram VIC.
SEARCH – Networking with friends….
Aug 2nd
So you know WHAT you want to do for work experience, but not WHERE?
Most work experiences (and jobs) come from somebody you know either directly or indirectly. This is where your ‘networking’ skills are important.
Networking is actually very simple. (If you have a facebook account it is even easier!) It involves a pen, a piece of paper, the ability to ask questions and the persistence to keep following up leads.
- Let’s say that you are seeking work experience plumbing.
- Write a list of people you know, for example:
- Mum, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Grandpa, Neighbours, Doctor, Lawyer, Cafe owner, Butcher, Baker, candlestick-maker (just kidding!), Hairdresser, Friends in your classroom, ANYONE in your class room, Teachers, Parents’ work mates, Members of your sports club, Lions, Rotary, Careers Advisor at school!… etc etc… the list goes on and on…
- Your simple networking technique is to ask EVERY PERSON on your list (or as many as you can – put it out there on facebook too). “Do you know a plumber I can do work experience with?” This question produces two answers:
- No? “Thanks for your time, if you think of anyone can you let me know?”
- Yes? “Great, would you be able to call or speak to them and ask if it would be OK if I contacted them about work experience?“ Don’t forget to jot down names and contact details.
What if?
- What if your ‘lead’ doesn’t want to recommend you to an employer? Don’t stress, thank them for their time & move on.
