How to make the most of your construction work experience placement

The first thing many construction employers look at when reviewing your application is your work experience history. And you’ll get brownie points if you have experience of working in the industry: it demonstrates that you know what the work really involves and that you’ve started developing the skills construction professionals need. Shona Marshall, employee development manager at Miller Construction, notes that ‘Work experience gives you the time to work out what you like about the industry and in which type of organisation you will thrive.’

Choose the right construction placement

Some employers will offer formal placements but in many cases you will need to be proactive in finding opportunities. ‘There is limited success to be found in sending a standard e-mail to as many e-mail addresses as you can find,’ says Shona. ‘A better way to start is to get a phone number and speak to someone within the company – at least then you get an instant response. Tailor your application to the company and clearly explain why you want work experience.’

She also warns that it’s worth giving some thought to the practicalities behind the placement. ‘Consider where the company is based and whether you can easily and affordably get to work.’ If you’re considering a placement year, she recommends speaking to your placement tutor and finding out what past students have done.

Shine on site and don't outrage the office

Depending on the type of organisation you apply to - either a contractor or a consultancy - you will spend the majority of time on site or in an office. Wherever you end up, the key is have the right attitude. ‘Get stuck into whatever challenges are thrown at you,’ Shona advises. ‘Treat everything – even the most mundane tasks – as a learning opportunity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions but make sure you listen to the answers!’ Enthusiasm and initiative always impress so if you’ve finished one job, find out what else needs to be done and volunteer your services. Show your worth and just one placement can lead to greater things. ‘A successful work placement can lead to further placements, sponsorship at university or even the offer of a full-time position,’ Shona says.

It’s a good idea to keep a running log of everything you do and the skills you develop. You can show it to your work experience employers to illustrate how far you’ve progressed but it’s also a way of recording what you’ve learned for future job applications. ‘Think about the transferable skills you’ve learned and how your experiences have changed your approaches to tasks and other people,’ suggests Shona. ‘Self-awareness is a good skill to learn early.’