w
ork experience:
the x-factor
Employers greatly value the range of
How long?
flexible, adaptable skills which graduates
The length of a work experience placement
bring to a workplace, but they also
varies, but the longer the better, and there are
recognise that graduates with work
advantages in having it spread over a longer
period. On the website www.jobjuice.gov.au
experience bring an additional “x-factor”
graduates are advised to “start with one week
to their roles.
full-time then follow it up with one day a month
So what is work experience?
for the next few months”. This is an excellent way
Work experience encompasses a wide range
of gaining the kind of skills and knowledge that
of activities, whether paid or unpaid, and
will enhance your employment prospects after
includes full-time, part-time, casual, vacation
graduation.
and volunteer work. It can be for the private,
Where do I start?
public or not-for-profit community sector and
There are various avenues for finding out about
covers apprenticeships, cadetships, internships,
and applying for work experience, including:
traineeships and structured workplace learning.
family and friends; careers services; job network
In fact, pretty much any activity that has an
providers; industry contacts; the internet;
element of on or off-the-job training, instruction,
and government initiatives, such as the West
supervision or mentoring can be included under
Australian Department of Education and Training’s
the umbrella of work experience.
Centre for Work Experience at http://www.
Experience placements may be undertaken
employmentdirections.net.au/workexperience/
locally, nationally or overseas and are generally
helpful-resources.html
characterised by having a predetermined end
Tips for success
date.
www.jobjuice.gov.au suggests the following:
The benefits
• Approach work experience in the same way you
Work experience is well worth the time and would any job
commitment for the added value it brings to your • Prepare a set of questions to ask an employer
graduate qualifications. You will gain:
before contacting them
• Experience in applying for jobs
• Before starting, think about what areas you want
to gain experience in while on your placement,
• A feel for what it’s like to work and what’s
then talk this through with your employer
expected of you in a real-life work situation
• Make sure you behave like a real employee:
• Insight into how you would enjoy or suit a
arrive on time, wear the right clothes and show
particular job or work environment
respect for your colleagues.
• On-the-job experience and developing skills
employers want
This is an edited version of an article that appeared in
Graduate Grapevine (No 5, September 2006). For further
• A foot in the door with an employer.
information contact the Project Officer for Youth, Career
Development Services Branch, WA Department of Education
and Training on (08) 9264 4379.
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