Initiative and interest go far on work experience placements
06/02/2012 16:18
Graduates must show interest and initiative during work experience placements if they hope to be asked to fill job vacancies at the end of it. Mike Barnard, product manager at graduate employment research body Milkround, said being proactive and going the extra mile is what will really help those on work experience stand out – but all too often people fail to show initiative.
Common mistakes include people spending all day on the task they're given, thinking it is all that there is to do, when in fact asking for more work will demonstrate just how valuable people can be.
"The company may say, 'you've done really well on your work experience placement – maybe you should stay on for a couple of months or a short-term contract'. Those situations do happen.
"If you can get your foot in the door with a placement or work experience you could find yourself with a job in a few months time," he explained.
For those who are not yet sure what they want to do, he advised graduates not to "pigeonhole" themselves too soon.
The good news is that the situation for candidates appears to be looking up, as the Markit/CIPS UK Services Purchasing Managers Index revealed a record leap in job creation in January.
Activity within the sector increased to a ten-month peak, with the index registering 56, up from 54 in December 2011.
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Posted by Craig Humphreys
