How to Make the Most of Your Work Experience Placement
Work experience has evolved, and if you’re still picturing a student stuck in the back office making tea or photocopies, it’s time for a reset. Today, placements are packed with potential, offering real opportunities to build confidence, grow your skills, and explore a future career path.
In fact, around 75% of work experience participants said it had provided them with new skills and increased their confidence and 42% were offered a job at the end of their placement. That means what you do during your placement could directly influence your next big opportunity.
At The Manchester College we support you in finding the right placement to suit your career and study aims no matter your college course. We liaise with employers and organisations to ensure placements are relevant, developmental and safe.
So how can you make the most of this great opportunity? Here is a guide:
Why work experience matters more than ever
Work experience isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It’s a chance to:
- Gain practical insight into a real work environment
- Test out a potential career or industry
- Build valuable employability skills
- Make professional connections
- Boost your CV with relevant experience
- Get your foot in the door of growing industries
Whether you’re aiming for an apprenticeship, university, or straight into work, a solid placement gives you something to talk about in applications and interviews. The better prepared you are, the more you’ll get from it.
What to do before your work experience placement…
Read up on the company
Preparation is key. Read up on the organisation you will be working for (the website is a good place to start) and think of some questions you can ask about the company. This will show your interest and motivation.
Plan your journey
Make sure you plan your travel route in advance, and find out at least two ways/different modes of transport to get there so that you don’t arrive stressed on the first morning.
Dress the part
Don’t forget to prepare your outfit too – it’s important to dress appropriately whilst on placement and jeans can often be a no, although many workplaces offer casual dress nowadays. Make sure to check the company’s dress code in advance!
Prepare questions
Come armed with 2-3 thoughtful questions about the company or team. It could be about the projects they’re working on or how they got into their roles. It shows curiosity, which is a trait employers value highly.
How to stand out during your work experience placement
Keep a daily log
Keep a log-book; a kind of diary in which you record the tasks you do each day, what you learn and anything you feel could be improved. (You will find this in your placement handbook.)
Show enthusiasm
Always show a positive, cooperative attitude. If you finish the tasks you are set, ask whether you can help someone else. Greet work colleagues with a smile and get to know them a little – they can all be good contacts in the future.
Be professional
Arrive on time. Be polite. Respect confidentiality. Keep your phone away during work hours unless it’s required for your tasks. These basics go a long way toward making a good impression.
Network
Get to know the people you work with. Ask about their roles. Listen to their advice. These conversations could lead to future opportunities - or at least some solid references.
Ask for feedback and references
Don’t wait until the last day. Ask for feedback during the placement so you can improve as you go. It shows maturity and helps you learn more from the experience.
What to do after your placement
Request a reference
Just before your placement finishes, ask your employer mentor whether they will act as a referee for you on your CV and if so, get their full name and email address.
Reflect and update your CV
Think back on what you did, what you learned, and how you grew. Update your CV to include your experience and the skills you developed - teamwork, communication, problem-solving, time management - whatever you practiced on the job.
Use your logbook in future interviews
Your placement log is gold when it comes to interviews. It gives you real examples to draw from when answering questions like:
- "Tell me about a time you worked in a team."
- "Describe a situation where you solved a problem."
- "What experience do you have with [industry or task]?"
The more specific you can be, the more convincing you’ll sound.
How The Manchester College helps you secure work placements
At The Manchester College, we don’t leave work experience to chance. We work closely with employers and organisations across Greater Manchester and beyond to help you find placements that match your course, interests, and long-term goals.
Whatever you’re studying, our team is here to connect you with real opportunities. We make sure placements are:
- Relevant: aligned with your course and career interests
- Safe: every placement is risk-assessed and supported
- Meaningful: focused on skill development and employability
We’re passionate about careers, not just qualifications. That’s why our work experience and placements team works hand-in-hand with tutors and industry partners to make sure your placement is more than just a requirement. It’s part of your journey to becoming work-ready, confident, and capable.
If you're unsure where to start, or need help finding or preparing for a placement, speak to one of our expert career advisors. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Explore our courses and enrol today.