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WORK EXPERIENCE AND CV BUILDING Work experience is extremely useful, both in terms of providing an insight into careers and for building your CV; you are much more likely to get a job if you have relevant work experience. Here is a useful introductory guide: www.unifrog.
FINDING (VIRTUAL) WORK EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES:
to keep a record of the skills (competencies) you have
to-work-experience and there is information on
Here are some potential places to look for work experience
dent/activities to offer you different material to utilise. Here is
org/student/know-how/world-of-work/a-guide-
Firefly here: www.hamptonschool.fireflycloud.net/ careers-5/work-experience-guidance/opportunities-for-work-experience
You can seek work experience by applying to existing schemes, by utilising contacts and/or by approaching local businesses and companies. Due to Covid-19, many companies are now offering virtual work experience, which is designed to give you specific relevant tasks to complete and often allows you to gain a certificate on completion. Some companies will require you to apply for work experience by sending a CV and letter of application, whilst others will have their own online forms for applicants to complete. Work experience schemes take place at different times and have different opening and closing dates for applications, so do keep looking throughout the year.
opportunities: • www.unifrog.org/student/opportunity/start (Once you’ve
selected which country you are from, the tool asks which country you’re interested in; to find all the virtual work experience opportunities, select ‘Online/ Worldwide’)
• www.springpod.co.uk/find-work-experience/ • www.theforage.com/
• www.speakersforschools.org/experience-2/
• www.hamptonschool.fireflycloud.net/careers/work-experience-guidance/opportunities-for-work-experience
• www.in2scienceuk.org/students/apply/
the activities you has completed here: www.unifrog.org/stusome useful guidance for ensuring your CV is as effective as possible: • www.unifrog.org/student/know-how/keywords/acing-your-cv
OTHER ASPECTS OF WORK EXPERIENCE APPLICATIONS: When applying for work experience, you may be required to complete a cover letter or fill in an application form. Often employers will be looking for what are called competencies, which are essentially transferable skills such as communication and teamwork. Find out more about aspects which might be required
CV WRITING:
when applying and/or interviewing for work experience here:
To apply for work experience and jobs you will usually need a
• www.unifrog.org/student/know-how/world-of-work/
CV (curriculum vitae), which is a summary of your qualifications, skills and experiences. You can complete (and keep updating) your CV on Unifrog here: www.unifrog.org/student/cv. You will need to amend your CV or application depending on what position or work experience you are applying for, so it is useful
08 I WORK EXPERIENCE AND CV BUILDING
developed here: www.unifrog.org/student/competencies and
how-to-write-a-speculative-application
• www.unifrog.org/student/know-how/world-of-work/how-towrite-a-winning-cover-letter
• www.unifrog.org/student/know-how/useful-stuff/competencies-what-are-they-and-why-do-they-matter