How To Make Work Experience Worthwhile, According to Careers Experts

It can sometimes prove difficult just to organise a work placement and afford to complete it, so it’s no surprise that considering what exactly you want to get out of it – aside from ticking that essential box on your CV – can get lost among the general hassle. But whether you’re just starting out in your career or are considering a change of direction, work experience can tell you a huge amount about what it is you’d like (or not like) to do in the future, so it’s worth considering how you might approach it. There’s an obvious likely limit to the work you’ll get to do, at least to begin with. But there are also opportunities if you know how to take them. We asked employers and careers advisors to explain how to make it worthwhile.

Be on time and well prepared – first impressions count

Looking and dressing the part is crucial when it comes to setting the right tone. That doesn’t mean buying a whole new wardrobe, but it does mean looking smart – particularly on your first day. After that, you can take your lead from other people in the office. Different companies have different dress codes, says Kirstie Mackey, head of Barclays LifeSkills, which helps young people with skills to enter the world of work, but it’s a good idea to dress in clothes that are slightly smarter than those you’d wear if you got the job.

You’ll also want to set your alarm – and then reset it a bit earlier. Arriving early for work will set a good first impression; it shows dedication and passion, and that you’re respectful of other people’s time. Spend some time in the days running up to your placement researching the company, so you know about its goals and the scope of its work. “You want your employer to think of you in a positive way straight away - particularly when you’re hoping to have a long and successful career in the industry,” adds Mackey.

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Find out what different people do: it might be your dream job

You work placement might be at the company you’ve been stalking for years, or in an industry you’re keen to be part of, but do you know exactly which role might work for you? Graham Philpott, career development manager at Henley Business School says you should use your work experience as an opportunity to speak to people around the workplace and find out what their role is like. You might discover jobs you’ve never heard of or, at the very least, learn more about the structure of the business. “Understand what work everyone is doing, and why they are doing it – especially more senior people,” says Philpott. “After all, if you’re ambitious it’s their roles you’ll be looking to take.”

Be polite. Even if you’re having the most boring day of your life

Work experience often involves boring tasks. (Spoiler: so does work.) But whether you’re adding information to a database, or printing out a large report, never think a job is below you. Appearing to be willing and happy to help will mean you make a positive impression during your placement, even if you don’t feel you’ve been able to show everything you can do. If potential colleagues enjoy having you in the office, you’ll stand out for the right reasons. “Polite, enthusiastic and helpful are how I’d describe the ideal work experience person,” says Philpott.

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If you’re struggling with a task, don’t be afraid to ask for help

Once you’ve proved yourself a little, you might also be offered more complex tasks – and then find you don’t really know how to do them. Don’t sit and worry about what to do because you’re too scared to ask. It won’t help you complete the task and the people you’re working with would rather you did the job well, than made a mess of it because you muddled through. “Don’t be shy, especially if you need clarification,” says Mackey. “Be confident in your approach, but careful not to stray into arrogance.”

Going the extra mile will make you stand out

You want to show your potential, but don’t let being proactive get in the way of completing basic duties. Organise and prioritise the tasks you’ve already been set before you start asking for more. “Learning how to stay on top of your work and showing that you can approach tasks logically, calmly and efficiently even when under pressure will always look good,” says Mackey. You might think that volunteering for more advanced and impressive-sounding tasks will help your CV, but you need to cover the basics first. Tom Davenport, who runs Talent Pool, advises getting stuck in with work which will come across at the right level in your CV - such as “working through documents with the approvals team” or “conducting research to support a special initiative”. This will be the basic experience you need for your first job.

Don’t sneak off early

When you’re not being paid, it can be tempting to make an early exit. Resist doing a bunk, and show your enthusiasm by staying until the end of the day. “Packing up your pencil case 10 minutes before ‘home-time’ will certainly send a negative impression to all those around you,” advises Philpott. If you have an empty half hour at the end of your day, it’s worth checking if anybody needs a hand before you leave. You shouldn’t be staying late, but colleagues might have things they want to get finished before heading home, which could mean helping on interesting work.

“Packing up your pencil case 10 minutes before ‘home-time’ will certainly send a negative impression to all those around you."”
- Graham Philpott, career development manager.

Benedicta Banga, a career strategist and coach, suggests joining in with social activities outside of work if that seems appropriate. “They are a great avenue for building great relationships and getting to know people better,” she says. But be sensible about drinking – being known as the work experience who got really drunk is not going to help when you apply for a job.

Thank you and goodbye: how to finish work experience well.

The end of your placement is crucial in securing long-term connections, so before you leave, take a few minutes to thank people who you’ve been working with for their time and support. It will mean you leave a good impression, and can possibly call on those people in the future if you need advice, or are preparing an application for the company. “Ask everyone who has been particularly supportive if you can contact them later if you have any questions,” adds Philpott. “They are very likely to say yes, and it means that you’ll feel less awkward when you do want to get back in contact with them.”

When you’ve left, it’s worth finding the employees you worked alongside on LinkedIn and sending them a connection request. And if you want to stay in their good books, Banga suggests writing a thank-you note or email to people with whom you worked closely to show that you appreciate their support.

Before You Go

6 Of The Best Exercises For Clearing Your Head After Work When Travelling

Master A Few Yoga Poses(01 of06)

It’s no big secret that a hectic work travel schedule (flights, sleeping in a different bed each night, rushing from meeting to meeting with no time to decompress) can take a toll on mind and body, causing symptoms from back pain - a typical side effect of sitting hunched at a desk all day - to anxiety and stress. It’s also no big shocker that a bit of yoga each day can do mind and body a world of good.

But those travelling on business don’t always have an hour-and-a-half to spare in the middle of the day to head off to a Vinyasa class. Happily, there are lots of ways to do yoga at home (or in the comfort of your hotel room, or office). Get downloading: there's a plethora of yoga apps out there which teach you basic poses and have plenty of 10-minute workouts on offer.

According to PT Matt Roberts, mid-business trip is probably not the moment to try out the craziest workout of your life (for all of you heading to NYC and thinking about that 6am SoulCycle class).

“To achieve a parasympathetic (restful) state, it’s more appropriate to consider the type of exercise or activity rather than any one exercise. For example, aim to stay away from anything that feels too intense and instead opt for more relaxing, movement-based activities. Yoga and Pilates can be a good idea in this regard,” he advises.

Some poses to try anytime, anywhere, include half dog pose, where you bend the top half of your body over against a wall or desk – essential for stretching out your back after you've been sitting on a plane for hours – and a Warrior II lunge, where one leg is bent in front and your back foot is at a 45-degree angle. Keep hips square and stretch arms out to the front and back. It's a must for strengthening your quadriceps and calves, opening your hips, establishing core stability and helping you dissolve tensions and stress. (credit:Anna Moller via Getty Images)

Do Some Circuits(02 of06)

Feeling totally wiped out after days on the road? Kick-start your workday with a low-intensity circuit workout.

"Boost endorphins with a short, sharp 10-minute session consisting of a low-maintenance circuit session," explains fitness expert and personal trainer, Laura Williams.

"Combine shuttle runs, shadow boxing and skipping with body weight exercises such as walking lunges and squats, push-ups and planks. This will help you to ‘come to’ in the morning if jet lag’s an issue." (credit:aydinmutlu via Getty Images)

Embrace Meditation(03 of06)

Remember: Headspace isn't just an app anymore, it's a state of being. One that's very useful for training you to tune out the world wherever you happen to be. Starting the day with a few breathing exercises - or doing a couple of minutes' meditation before a big meeting - is also helpful for getting you away from all that tech (the laptop, the smartphones, the tablet, and all of the accouterments that go with them), you seem unable to function without. For at least a few minutes.

"Switching off can be made easier with simple breathing exercises: simply inhaling for a count of five before exhaling for a count of five for a few minutes is surprisingly effective, while yoga poses such as child’s pose (kneeling on the floor and sitting on your heels with toes together and knees apart), corpse pose (lying flat on your back with your heels spread out) and cat pose (rounding your spine up from a tabletop position on all fours) can stretch out the body, helping to release areas of tension," advises Williams. (credit:fizkes via Getty Images)

Be One With Nature(04 of06)

It's easy to forget to engage with the outside world when you're in a particularly stressful work situation, but one way to clear your mind and get out of your office-zone mentality - as well as take in the new city you're visiting - is to go for a walk. Preferably barefoot. Take your shoes off and stroll around the park or a patch of grass. It's got a name - "grounding" or "earthing" - and a celeb following (Bond girl Naomie Harris swears it's a great way to get travellers to grips with their new time zone). True adherents claim it can also help with insomnia, pain and promote healing. Mostly it just makes you feel like a kid again - which isn't a bad thing.

"There’s never one answer for all as people’s fitness levels will determine how intense or relaxing they find certain activities," says Roberts. "For some people, walking barefoot for 20 minutes on some grass will do the trick, for others, a low-intensity body weight circuit might be more appropriate." (credit:PeopleImages via Getty Images)

Get Downloading(05 of06)

Going on an extended work trip may have been an excuse to skip the workouts several years ago, but now, with an app for everything - and a workout under 10 minutes to suit every fitness style - there are really no excuses. Especially considering how easy it is to track your health (steps, heart rate, etc.) through your phone or wearable.

"Easy-to-follow apps such as the 7-minute workout can mean the difference between failure and success when you’re in travel mode but don’t want to skip your fitness completely," says Williams.

"When you’re either in go-slow holiday mode or jam-packed work mode, a small time commitment for a step-by-step guided programme can be enough to keep muscle mass and fitness levels ticking over." And yes, these are easy enough to do in your comfy hotel room before heading to work or at the end of a busy day. Many apps don't even require you to have any equipment. Also worth a try? The free and easy YouTube channels that will have you doing everything from HIIT to ballet... in any time zone. (credit:Todor Tsvetkov via Getty Images)

Start Cycling(06 of06)

From the streets of China's Hangzou to San Francisco, bike share schemes are making it easier than ever to navigate cities on two wheels. Recent research published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management confirms that commuting to work by bike helps you start your day with less stress - and may have lasting positive effects throughout the day as well. Of course, cycling isn't always a practical option for everyone, every day, but if you can start or end your workday abroad with a bike ride, you'll feel fit, mentally decompressed and you might even discover something interesting about that city you've just spent the day in. (credit:vgajic via Getty Images)