Your school will help you get work experience, but here are some things you can be doing yourself...

1. If you're not sure what kind of work experience you want to do, take the Kudos careers test to get some ideas
   
   
2. Look on yell.com to find local companies, e.g. if you want experience as a photographer, search for local photographers or shops
   
   
3. Ask friends, family, neighbours, teachers, school staff etc if they know anyone that works in the industry in which you are interested and if they can put you in contact with them
   
   
4. Go to careers fairs to learn about different companies and ask them about work experience. These are regularly advertised on the 'news' section of our website.
   
   
5. Consider smaller companies as well as the big ones e.g. if you're interested in media, don't just think BBC, think local radio stations, newspapers and independent film companies
   
   
6. Look on the websites of companies you are interested in, they might have work experience programmes
   
   
7. If they don't you will need to ask them if they will consider taking you on. You can either:
   
   * Send them your CV and cover letter. Click for help writing your CV and cover letter
   
   * Email them your CV and cover letter
   
   * Call and ask them directly
   
   
8. ALWAYS call them a few days later to ask if they received your CV and to see if they can offer you a placement. This massively increases your chance of getting a response
   
   
9. If you are looking for medical work experience click here


Useful Sites
DirectGov
NHS Careers
BBC
Vinspired