Work Experience Help needed :)

Stu_Dent

Hey guys,

Im a second year student looking for work experience in my field and was wanted to write a good cover letter to go with my CV in order to gain the best chance of getting the work experience.

I was just hoping anyone with some tips or hints could point me in the right direction..

Any help would be really appreciated,

Thanks,

Stu

[Deleted User]

Being pedantic but..

Im a second year student looking for work experience in my field and was wanted to write a good cover letter to go with my CV in order to gain the best chance of getting the work experience.

Prehaps a great attention to detail whilst writing could be a good start?

Research the companies you are interested in, get their addresses, ideally of their HR departments. Try to give a good reason why you are interested in their company and would like work experience - ask if they have an internship programme

Stu_Dent

ringo_24601 wrote:

Being pedantic but..



Prehaps a great attention to detail whilst writing could be a good start?

Research the companies you are interested in, get their addresses, ideally of their HR departments. Try to give a good reason why you are interested in their company and would like work experience - ask if they have an internship programme

lol Thanks for that Ringo, may i also point out your incorrect spelling of "perhaps"!

Anyway i'm a Psychology Undergraduate so its pretty difficult to get work experience, especially in the field of clinical Psychology as most work done is confidential. Therefore, most of the time there are no HR departments and so its proving quite a difficult task to find relevant experience..

Thanks again for your comments:)

retepetsir

It helps if you actually say what degree you are taking.....!

Edit: I replied before seeing your latest post!

Yes, its difficult with that subject....... just keep writing letters to relevant companies/clinics, you might be turned down for most/all of them but at least you tried.

Stu_Dent

Yeh thats what im planning on doing.. I think im going to write to different Psychologists and clinics but was just hoping for some tips on how to write an effective cover letter to go with my CV?

What kind of structure would you use, ideas, hints and tips appreciated..

Its a hard field of practice to get into and so im trying to get a headstart and gain a bit of experience now

thanks

pjb007

Why not see if your Uni offers some workshops, I know mine did (Chester) workshops which included ones on CV's and Covering Letters. There are also booklets offering advice and key words.

Ask in places like learning resources, library, student support services etc.

Don't know if it helps but some universities even find a placement for you.

Good Luck with it all

Stu_Dent

thanks pjb for your comments, i'll definately go to my department tomorrow and see if they've got any information they can offer me..

thanks for taking the time:)

Oldernotwiser

It's important not to repeat information that's included in your CV. I also agree that you should make sure that your spelling, grammar and punctuation are perfect.

You might find these websites are useful for you.

http://www.work-experience.org/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!eLacegf

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!eLaXi

In general, I think that you're being unrealistic about the type of work experience that you're likely to get at this stage in your career. You need to be getting a wide range of experience with a variety of client groups, rather than expecting to get work experience within a clinical setting. These two case studies may give you some idea about the ways in which you could progress.

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=122&pageno=8

Stu_Dent

Oldernotwiser wrote:

It's important not to repeat information that's included in your CV. I also agree that you should make sure that your spelling, grammar and punctuation are perfect.

You might find these websites are useful for you.

http://www.work-experience.org/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!eLacegf

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!eLaXi

In general, I think that you're being unrealistic about the type of work experience that you're likely to get at this stage in your career. You need to be getting a wide range of experience with a variety of client groups, rather than expecting to get work experience within a clinical setting. These two case studies may give you some idea about the ways in which you could progress.

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=122&pageno=8

Brilliant, thanks for your comments, i'll have a careful look at them and try and find something relevant for what im looking to do.

again, thanks for taking the time, its much appreciated,

Stu

Stu_Dent

Oldernotwiser wrote:

It's important not to repeat information that's included in your CV. I also agree that you should make sure that your spelling, grammar and punctuation are perfect.

You might find these websites are useful for you.

http://www.work-experience.org/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!eLacegf

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/p!eLaXi

In general, I think that you're being unrealistic about the type of work experience that you're likely to get at this stage in your career. You need to be getting a wide range of experience with a variety of client groups, rather than expecting to get work experience within a clinical setting. These two case studies may give you some idea about the ways in which you could progress.

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Explore_types_of_jobs/Types_of_Job/p!eipaL?state=showocc&idno=122&pageno=8

the last link is especially useful, thanks again!

melancholly

you could also try emailling some people in a department near to you. we've had people come and do work over the summer - couldn't pay them, but other people manage. if you can't get clinical work (prob impossible without a CRB check and without finishing your BA), then you could get work on a project which could have clinical applications. it's not directly what you want, but will help get an RA position when you finish which you will need to get onto a clinical psychology course. anything which shows you can work independently will help - and if you get experience with someone then it's another great source for a reference.