Unlocking Work Experience: A Strategy for the Persistent

There is a lot of luck involved in finding a career you love. But you need to make yourself a big target for luck by trying lots of things, meeting lots of people and asking lots of questions. The onus is on you to carve your path. The vast majority of employers, busy with their day-to-day operations, won't lay out the red carpet to advertise work experience opportunities. It's a silent invitation to those willing to take the initiative, to those ready to craft a compelling narrative that resonates with potential employers about why they should open their doors to you.

Target those Likely to Respond

It is easier to get work experience with start-ups and smaller businesses. They will appreciate you taking the initiative to get in touch. They will be contacted by fewer young people. There will also be less bureaucracy to let you into the building. You'll get a great opportunity to meet lots of friendly people willing to share advice they wish they had received.

Aim High, Aim Smart

When finding the right person to contact, with smaller employers aim as high as you can. Senior staff are the ones capable of making a call to host you. Reaching out to the most senior person accessible isn't just ambitious—it's strategic. Find their personal email address or send them a connection request on LinkedIn. If you can uncover a direct line of communication, you've already set yourself apart. Try several different people if you don’t get a response.

With larger organizations, precision is key. Identify individuals whose roles align with the experience you seek or who shares an experience with you. LinkedIn is a great tool, enabling you to read their posts and send them a connection request. Make sure you have a professional-looking LinkedIn profile before you get started.

Show Genuine Interest

Before you hit send on that email or message, take a moment to dive deep into the essence of the organisation. Understanding and appreciating their mission, values, and recent achievements can transform your message from a cold outreach to a warm conversation. Show that you're not just looking for any opportunity, but you're specifically interested in learning from them. This level of interest and knowledge about the company can make your message stand out in a sea of generic inquiries.

Resilience is Your Greatest Ally

Underpinning this entire strategy is a non-negotiable trait: resilience. The path to securing work experience is often one of silence and rejection. Yet, it's the resilience to send out the 51st message after fifty went unanswered that often separates the successful from the disheartened. Embrace perseverance as your guide, and let every 'no' fuel your journey towards that eventual 'yes'.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the pursuit of meaningful work experience is about making your case, passionately and clearly, in a world of busy employers who already have action-packed agendas. The stage is yours, but you must be the one to step onto it. Take the time to research, reach out with intention, and persist until you find your breakthrough.

See below for our templates to help, but do edit these to make them yours. Add your own personal style, your humour and your interests to make them stand out from everyone else using these templates.

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LinkedIn Invitation Template

Hi [Recipient's Name],

I'm [Your Name], a [student] passionate about [Interest]. I am really interested by [Employer's Name]'s work on [Specific Project or Area]. I don't have contacts in the sector and would love to explore work experience opportunities with your team if this could be possible. Would you be happy to discuss?

Best, [Your Name]

Email Template

Subject: Request for Work Experience

Hi [Recipient's Name],

I hope this message finds you well. I'm [Your Name], a [Your Current Role/Status, e.g., recent graduate, current student at XYZ School/University, etc.] with a keen interest in [specific area of interest related to the employer, e.g., climate change, digital marketing, software development, etc.].

I've been researching [Company's Name] and am really interested in [something else specific about the employer or its projects, showing genuine interest and research].

I'm reaching out to explore the possibility of gaining work experience with your team. I don't have any contacts in your sector and would love to have the opportunity to learn from you all and test if this could be the right career for me.

Would you be happy to discuss any potential opportunities? I'm flexible, would be excited to come for any period (from a few hours to a whole week) and am willing to start whenever would be convenient for you.

Thanks very much for considering my request. I really look forward to the possibility of learning from you and your team

Best wishes,

[Your Name]

[Your Contact Information]

P.S. If you don’t have time for work experience, perhaps check out Not Impossible. I am registered with them and they make work experience something that busy employers want to host (simple one-day commitment, logistics sorted, smart matches with young people who share your passions and personality). See here if interested (www.teamnotimpossible.com).