Aside from spending our summers travelling, many of us at Her Campus Durham also did some work experience over the long four months. No matter what course you do at University, doing a couple of work experience placements in a few different fields will definitely help you understand what you would like to do after graduation, as well as easing up the job search later on. So, here are some tips and tricks that will help you get into an amazing work experience scheme in no time!
Start your search early on
Most companies start their summer recruiting efforts at the beginning of the school year, so it is not a bad idea to start sending applications off early on in the first term. If you begin to search for work experience placements about 9 months prior to when you intend to do them, then you are sure to be in with the first pickings.
Tailor your resume according to your application
Bulk sending one CV to multiple companies says “I’m lazy” and makes it difficult for you to leave a personal impression. Gone are the days of sending copies of the same standardized CV to all prospective employers. Nowadays, having your CV tweaked to fit the individual needs of each recruiter is almost as important as writing a unique cover letter. The easiest way to decide which experiences to highlight and which ones to omit is to carefully read the vacancy post. For example, if leadership is a recurring skill in the job description, it is a good idea to point out all your leadership roles and what you’ve learned from them. Conversely, if the post stresses a search for a team player, then it would be wise to tone those leadership bits down a little bit.
Learn about the company you are applying to
Remember, interested people are also interesting people. Go the extra mile before writing your cover letter and make sure you understand what the company has set out to do by taking a peek at their Mission Statement online. You could also come up with some questions before your interview that demonstrate your interest. If you can show that you are actually passionate about their goals, you will stand out from the crowd.
Always follow up
Not only is it good etiquette to write a thank you email after an interview, this is also an opportunity to remind your interviewer why they thought you were great! Try to subtly allude to the more conversational parts of your interview. Chances are if you’ve enjoyed being interviewed, the interviewer had a good time as well. Without self-promoting too much, just write a simple thank you email restating how enthusiastic you are about the opportunity.
We hope you land the work experience of your dreams. Just remember to do your research and be proactive! HCXO
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