Internships and placements
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Getting work experience after graduation
Graduated recently? Still job-hunting? Find out where to look for a graduate internship or placement and how your entitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance could be affected.
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Ten good reasons to look for work experience with small employers
There are small and medium-sized companies in every career sector all over the UK, so don’t limit your work experience options by overlooking them.
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The law on unpaid internships: know your rights
Our guide to interns’ rights sets out when students and graduates are entitled to the national minimum wage and explores the issues around unpaid internships.
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Why extracurricular activities will help you get hired
Extracurricular activities are crucial if you want to turbocharge your graduate career prospects.
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Time to shine! Six ways to become a star intern
Our tips on being a work experience star will help you make a good impression for all the right reasons.
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How to get the most out of your internship after you leave
Our quick and easy tips will help you maximise the benefits from your work experience placement in the long term.
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Work experience tips: what to do on the first day of your internship
Managed to get yourself an internship or other workplace experience? Congratulations! Check out our essential tips to ensure your first few days go smoothly.
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Your work experience options: shadowing, internship and much more
Internships and work shadowing are well known, but have you considered insight days or freelance work, for example? Our full list of work experience options tells you what you need to know about each.
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Work experience and internships: your first and second year timetable
Find out how to boost your chances of getting an internship by using our calendar graphic with tips throughout the year.
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How to get an internship with a big graduate employer
Big organisations that hire graduates often offer paid internships too. Find out the benefits of internships and placements at well-known employers and how to track down vacancies at the top places to intern.
Internship applications and interviews
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How to shine in your work experience interview
Interview coming up for an internship or work placement? Know what to expect and what’s expected of you with our tips on how to prepare for an internship interview.
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So you want an internship? Crack the online application form
Online application forms for internships and work experience placements often include questions about times when you’ve shown certain skills. Here’s how to answer them, even if you have limited experience to draw upon.
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How to answer common internship interview questions
Practising these common internship interview questions will prepare you to express why you want the placement and how you’re a good fit for the team and organisation.
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The five key questions that internship recruiters will ask themselves about you
If you want an internship, placement, voluntary post or work shadowing opportunity, you’ll need to answer the questions employers have in mind when recruiting.
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CVs and covering letters for work experience
Check out our essential guide to CVs and covering letters for work experience and internships to help you make the best possible application.
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Discover hidden internships: the art of speculative applications
Shh! Some internships and work experience opportunities are never advertised. Hunt them out and apply speculatively to add experience to your CV.
Part-time work
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Balancing study and part-time work
Juggling undergraduate study with a part-time job is demanding, so how do you set about getting the right balance between your work, academic and social commitments?
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Ten skills you'll gain from working in part-time retail jobs
Don’t overlook any of the skills you’ve gained from part-time retail work. It can really help when you are putting together your CV and application for internships or graduate jobs. Here’s how to present the skills you’ve gained.
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Full-time student, part-time worker? Know your employment rights
From wages and tax, to rules for international students, we explain the employment rights that will make your part-time job a beneficial and hassle-free experience.
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Top tips for temping
Approached in the right way, temping provides students with good CV fodder and can improve your graduate career prospects too.
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Ways for students to make quick cash
Whether it's to fund a night out, save for a holiday, or pay a deposit on accommodation, here are a few ideas for how students can make some quick cash. You may also improve your graduate career prospects at the same time.
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Part-time jobs that will kick-start your graduate career
Need a part-time job? Here’s how to choose one that will help you land the career you want.
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Ten skills you can get from doing a bar job
You may think that all you’ve learned from your bar job is how to pull pints but you’d be wrong. Working behind a bar can give you skills that are highly sought after by graduate recruiters and internship providers alike.
Gap year
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Funding your gap year
You don't have to beg, borrow or steal to pay for your year out – but you will probably need to find a job, either before you go or while you are abroad, or consider fundraising.
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Gap year international internships
An internship abroad during your year out will boost your CV and give you a range of great skills for your CV. To get the most out of international work experience, research your options.
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Gap year jobs to apply for before you travel
If you want to pay for your gap year travel by working while abroad there are plenty of opportunities in TEFL, sports camps and summer camps, but you'll need to apply in advance.
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Great international volunteer projects for your gap year
Whatever your skills and interests, you should be able to find a volunteer project for your gap year to match... and you'll give your career prospects a boost too.
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How to market your gap year to graduate employers
Doing a gap year can help you develop a whole host of new skills. Find out how to make the most of them in applications and interviews for graduate jobs.
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Spend your gap year in the UK
Working, volunteering and travelling in the UK are all great options for your gap year and could help to keep your costs down.