WORK EXPERIENCE COURSEWORK

You will all experience a week when you all go out into the real world and have work experience. During it you are going to complete a piece of extended coursework. Writing about your own experiences and examining your own character is often rather informative and it’s quite an enlightening personal experience too.

TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE YOU GO ON WORK EXPERIENCE

A letter to your work experience placement, introducing yourself and the qualities you will bring to the job, previous experiences you will draw upon in your week and explaining what you are expecting to get out of the whole experience.

OR

An application letter for a made up future job, which is in response to an advert in a newspaper. In the letter you must include any (made up) experience you have had and explain how it will fit into your potential future role. You should also explain what qualities you have and how you think you would fit into the company.

TO BE COMPLETED WHILST YOU ARE ON WORK EXPERIENCE

A detailed diary of all the interesting experiences you have during the week. Describe the people you work with, your feelings about each day, any nerve-wracking, thought provoking or upsetting moments. Try and make it humourous and enjoyable to read – not just a list of things you did in a day.

TO BE COMPLETED AFTER WORK EXPERIENCE

Imagine you are your supervisor writing a character reference about you after the work experience week. The point of a character reference is to give a new employer an overview of a job applicant. The reference comes from a previous employer.

You should think first about what sort of a person you are and how you react to different situations – think of any particular anecdotes from your work experience that proves your point. Discuss your suitability to the particular job, describing things you did well. Focus entirely on positive points and support them.

Comments should be made on:

Personality

Ability to work in a team

Ability to work independently

Interaction with public or work colleagues

Approach to tasks

Manners, punctuality and presentation (appropriate dress)