TRIALLING JOBS CAN HELP BOOST YOUR CHANCES

Put yourself out there to start your career, writes Melanie Burgess

WORK experience programs – both paid and unpaid – offer many benefits for participants and employers alike.

High school students can trial roles to determine where their passions lie, university students can introduce themselves to employers before they graduate, and matureage workers can get their foot in the door of a new industry before making a career change. Meanwhile, employers can access talent pools, trial potential employees before committing to hiring them, and showcase their workplace culture and brand.

Outplacement Australia career consultant Gillian Kelly says work experience participants and interns must be ready to work hard and make the most of the opportunity.

“Show your energy and initiative through grabbing every opportunity to learn and contribute,” she says.

“Before you start, ask questions about their business, and share your areas of strength and expertise so you can get the most out of the program. During the program look for, and be open to receiving, feedback so you can grow.”

She also advises respecting the experience and chance to learn from others; building new professional brands and networks; and staying in contact after leaving.

For host organisations, Kelly recommends making sure work experience participants and interns feel like part of the team.

“Don’t just show people through the tasks, help people connect with the meaning in the work, and your values and culture,” she says.

“(Assign) someone to introduce them around and look after them.

“Have pre-established jobs or projects they can focus on during periods when the people in your business are too busy to give them dedicated attention.”

Work Inspiration, a collaboration between children’s charity The Smith Family and hotel company Hilton, invites students in Years 9 to 11 to complete a three-day placement at a hotel.

The Smith Family policy and pro- grams head Wendy Field says young people gain work-ready skills and a clearer understanding of the job market.

“For young people growing up in low SES (socioeconomic status) communities, we know they often don’t have the networks, contacts and opportunities to enable them to secure good work experience placements,” she says.

“For businesses, it’s an opportunity for them to showcase their work and their employment opportunities and play a valuable role in shaping our future workforce.”