For students: a guide to work placements
Students: how to find it and how to be successful on it
A work placement is a great way to learn about a job and get material for future applications. In some fields, like education, employers expect you to have experience before you apply. This guide will help you to find a placement and get the most out of it.
Finding a placement
It can be tough to find work placements, especially if you don’t live in a big city. Instead of looking for the perfect role, try to find one where you can build useful skills.
Think about the career sector rather than a specific job. For example, if you want to be an anaesthetist but can’t find a placement in that role, look at other healthcare jobs. You could work at a dentist, nursing home, or GP clinic to gain similar experience.
For ideas on work placements specific to each sector, take a look at our Get on the ladder series.
You can also focus on skills that apply across different fields. If you want to be a flight attendant but can’t find experience, try customer service roles, since both jobs require strong people skills.
Or you can look for experience related to the school subjects you enjoy. Here are some ideas:
- History/Classics: museums, archive offices, historic sites
- Art/Design: galleries, workshops, branding firms
- Drama: theatres, talent agencies, event spaces
- English/Languages: newspapers, publishing, libraries
- Science/Engineering: research labs, energy companies, science museums
- Medicine/Biology: pharmacies, hospitals, dental offices
- Computer Science: IT companies, tech startups, school IT departments
- Maths: banks, accounting firms, insurance companies
- All subjects: schools, local blogs, supermarkets, libraries
Finding and messaging contacts
Be realistic about where you apply. Big companies may not accept students with no experience. Instead, look for small businesses or people you know. Family, friends, or teachers may have helpful contacts.
If you don’t know where to start, ask your school’s careers advisor. They may have a list of companies that have hosted students before.
Once you find a placement, contact them yourself – don’t ask your parents, caregivers, or teachers to do it for you. Write a polite, professional email or letter. Have someone check it before you send it.
Include:
- the days you’re available (at least a few weeks from now).
- why you want to work there (research the company!)
- what you can offer (even small tasks like admin support can be helpful).
Use a professional email address – your school email is a good option. Attach a CV to give more details about your skills. You can build your CV directly on Unifrog and get lots of help and guidance as you write - click here to get started.
If you need some specific examples of CVs to gain work experience placements, check out these:
Getting ready for your placement
Once your placement is confirmed, get organised:
- add the dates to your calendar
- plan how you’ll get there
- email a week before to confirm
- check details like dress code, start time, and who to ask for on arrival
- make sure you have any documents they’ve asked for (passport, DBS check, and so on)
Do some research about the company. Find out:
- what they do
- their values and goals
- what your department does
Prepare some questions to ask the people who work there:
- What do you like most about your job?
- What challenges do you face?
- Why did you choose this company?
- How did you get into this career?
- Do you have advice for someone starting out?
This will help you feel more prepared on your first day.
Not sure what to expect once you’re there? Check out our guide 'Work experience: busting myths’.
During your placement
Make a good first impression:
- arrive on time
- dress appropriately
- be polite and friendly
- thank anyone who helps you
Take your tasks seriously, even if they seem small, and behave professionally. Use our series on being professional in the workplace to help.
Use the Unifrog placement journal before your placement starts to record things like what you need to wear, and then carry on using it during the placement.
- download it as a word doc here
- and as a pdf here
Avoid just listing your duties – instead, write down what your learned or found out. This will help when applying for jobs, apprenticeships, or university.
When you're done, upload it to your Locker.
After your placement
Even if you didn’t love the experience, send a thank-you email to the person who supervised you. A good impression can lead to more opportunities later!
Take time to reflect:
- What did you enjoy?
- What was challenging?
- What skills did you learn?
- What do you want to learn more about?
- Has this experience changed your career plans?
Write down your thoughts and save them somewhere safe, like your Unifrog locker. Then, you can use them when you apply for a job, apprenticeship, or uni.