How to Look for Industry Experience 3 min read

Is your CV looking a little bare? If you’re fresh out of education, it’s likely that you won’t have much experience, which is completely understandable. However, if you know which industry you’re looking to join now is the time to gain relevant experience to boost your CV and your chances of securing a great job.

Not sure where to start? Don’t panic. Read on for our advice on how to look for industry experience.

Tap Into Your Network

Firstly, consider tapping into your own network. Remember what they say: it’s not always what you know, but who you know. Perhaps your mum’s friend is well established in the industry, or your cousin’s boyfriend works at a cool company you’d like to gain experience in. Asking around might make you feel uncomfortable, but you never know what results it may yield.

Start by mentioning to your closest contacts that you’re looking to gain relevant experience. You could even shout about this on your social media profiles. After all, organisations are busier than ever before and would welcome a helping hand for a day, a week or a month.

Boost Your Social Media Profiles

If you do choose to take the above approach, you’ll need to boost your social media profiles. Focus on sharing relevant content in your industry and read up on the latest developments to ensure that you’re well informed. Follow certain hashtags as you never know what conversations this could open up. Doing so will paint you in a positive and professional light.

Contact Employers

If you come across an employer that you’d like to learn from, you can certainly get in contact with them to see if they have any work experience opportunities for you. Ensure that you phrase your communication in the right way. You should start by saying how much you admire their company and explain a little bit about yourself: your educational background, passions and skills.

You should then state that you’re looking to build upon this by gaining valuable work experience in a company such as their own. Start by suggesting a day or two so it doesn’t seem too overwhelming for them. Ensure that you tailor this email and make it personal for each one you send, and be sure to address them with the right name.

Do Something Extra

Another factor that can make you stand out is to do something extra, which relates to the field that you’re hoping to get into. For example, if you were looking to get into marketing, PR or copywriting, you may choose to start your own blog, publishing relevant, informative articles. Alternatively, if you wanted to become a teacher, you might volunteer at a local youth club or coach a children’s sports team.

Whichever approach you take, going that little bit further will help to make your CV stand out and boost your chances of landing a work experience placement.

Final Thoughts

Over all, gaining relevant experience is extremely important if you want to stand out from the crowd in your job hunt. Follow our advice and you’ll be able to find yourself industry experience in no time.

CV-Library is the UK’s leading independent job board and advertises teaching jobs across the UK. For more expert advice on careers and the workplace, visit their Career Advice and Recruitment Insight pages.

Author: Fabien