How to get work experience this summer (and why it’s worth it)

Summer is here. Exams are done, the pressure is off, and the temptation to do absolutely nothing for six weeks is very real. We get it.

But if you’re heading into your final year of sixth form or college, this summer is actually a brilliant opportunity to get ahead. Not in a boring, grown-up, you-should-really-think-about-your-future way. In a genuinely useful, this-will-make-your-life-easier-later kind of way.

Work experience looks good on a CV. Even a few weeks of it tells a future employer or university that you’ve shown initiative, that you can turn up on time, work with people you’ve never met, and handle a bit of responsibility. That stuff matters more than most people realise.

So how do you actually go about getting some?

Start with who you know

This is genuinely the easiest route. Think about family friends, neighbours, local businesses your family uses, or anyone in your wider circle who works somewhere interesting. A lot of work experience placements are never advertised anywhere. They happen because someone asked.

Don’t be embarrassed to ask. The worst anyone can say is no, and most people are happy to help if you approach it properly.

Do your research, then reach out directly

Make a list of local businesses or organisations you’d genuinely like to spend time in. It doesn’t have to be your dream career. Think about sectors you’re curious about, whether that’s an office environment, a trade, healthcare, retail, hospitality, or anything else.

Then contact them directly. Look for an email address or phone number for the right person, write a short, polite message explaining who you are, what you’re looking for, and why you’d like to spend time with them. Keep it brief and to the point. If you don’t hear back after a week, it’s fine to follow up once.

Think beyond the obvious

Work experience doesn’t have to mean sitting in an office. Volunteering with a local charity, helping at a community event, or getting involved with something like a sports club or youth group all count. They show the same qualities: reliability, teamwork, showing up when you said you would.

If you’re stuck, your school or college careers adviser is a good place to start. They often have existing relationships with local employers and may be able to make introductions.

Make the most of it when you’re there

Once you’ve got something lined up, treat it seriously. Be on time, be friendly, put your phone away, and say yes to anything you’re offered the chance to do. Ask questions. Show an interest. The people around you will remember how you came across, and you never know when those connections might be useful further down the line.

Write it up afterwards

When it’s done, make a note of what you did, what you learned, and what skills you used. This makes it much easier to talk about confidently in a future interview or on a personal statement. Don’t leave it too long or the details will start to blur.

It doesn’t have to be a perfectly formed career plan. You might spend a week somewhere and realise it’s absolutely not for you, and that’s just as useful to know.

The point is you did something. And that counts.

If you’re approaching 18 and looking for your first paid role alongside or after your studies, we’d love to help. Take a look at our current vacancies at www.xpertresourcing.co.uk or give us a call on 01353 886252.