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Expert viewpoint

Work Experience – Preparation

There is more to getting the right job than qualifications. Employers are increasingly favouring applicants that have skills that can be used in the workplace which your degree cannot provide.

And given the fact that there are more and more students graduating from university and college than ever before, you will be at a distinct advantage over your peers if you can demonstrate that you have work experience.

The UK has had a chronic skills shortage for the last few years and one of the main concerns of employers is the lack of work experience that many job seekers have.

So, now that the summer is finally here, you can put away the text books and Pro-Plus that have kept you awake throughout the night during the exam period over the last few weeks, and find out what opportunities are available to you.

Here are some useful websites to help you on your way to securing a temporary job this summer.

AIESEC - www.aiesec.org - international student society organising exchange programmes and traineeships worldwide.

Anywork Anywhere - www. anyworkanywhere.com - jobs and resources for work and travel through the UK and worldwide.

BUNAC - www.bunac.org.uk - opportunities to work overseas.

Civil Service Jobs - www.civil-service.gov.uk/jobs/ - includes opportunities for temporary and vacation work within Civil Service departments.

Coolworks - www.coolworks.com – for jobs in the USA .

Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) – www.councilexchanges.org.uk - includes the Work and Travel programmes in several countries.

EcoTeer - www.EcoTeer.com – offer the chance to volunteer in over 40 different countries

Fruitfuljobs.com - www.fruitfuljobs.com - mainly summer fruit picking jobs.

Holiday Resort Jobs - www.resortjobs.co.uk - directory of seasonal employment at summer
and winter holiday resorts.

hotrecruit.co.uk - www.hotrecruit.co.uk - thousands of temporary jobs from the routine to the
risqué.

International Summer Jobs - www.summerjobs.com – features summer work and temporary jobs.

JustJobs4Students.co.uk - www.JustJobs4Students.co.uk - part-time,temporary, holiday and graduate jobs.

National Council for Work Experience - www.work-experience.org .

Net Job - www.net-job.co.uk – aiming to bring students with web skills and employers together.

New Aupair - www.newaupair.com – aupair jobs.

Ragtime - www.ragtime.co.uk/ - BT job board for summer and industrial placements.

ShellSTEP - www.step.org.uk – Shell Technology Enterprise Programme – 8 week paid summer vacation placements in small and medium-sized companies throughout the UK .

StudentForce for Sustainability - www.studentforce.org.uk - short-term paid project work for students and recent graduates in the areas of energy efficiency, rural development and waste management.

Summerjobs - www.summmerjobs.com.uk - database of seasonal and part-time job opportunities.

Teaching Abroad - www.teachingabroad.co.uk - teaching and business opportunities abroad.

UKplacements - www.ukplacements.co.uk - summer internships, vacation schemes and work experience.

Vacation Work - www.vacationwork.co.uk - updated database of vacation work opportunities supporting the ‘Summer Jobs’ reference books.

Work Experience USA - www.workexperienceusa.com