Template to help with work experience

What is the workbook?

The My Work Experience Workbook is a Word document with short activities that take you, step by step, from first ideas to a great work experience placement.

Each activity has a link to the right page on Next Steps Ready (or another useful website, like Google Maps), so you always know where to go. There are boxes to type your answers in and squares to tick as you go.

It is split into three parts:

• 1. Introduce and InspireWhat do YOU want from life and future work?
• 2. Investigate and ExploreExploring work experience opportunities and YOUR skills.
• 3. Apply and DemonstrateHaving what YOU need to apply for and have a great work experience.

Why use it?

• It keeps all your ideas, research and answers in one place, so nothing gets lost.
• It takes you through things in a sensible order, so you don’t miss a step.
• It helps you work out what you want from work experience and which jobs might suit you.
• It helps you research local companies and plan how you would get there.
• It gives you a checklist for contacting an employer, so you feel confident when you get in touch.
• It helps you record your skills with real examples – really useful for your CV, applications and interviews.

How to use it

1. Download the workbook using the button below.
2. Save it in your area of your school’s system (or on your own device) so you can come back to it.
3. Click the links in each activity to go to the right page.
4. Click in any blue box to type your answer, and click a square to tick it.
5. Save your work every time you finish a session.

More on work experience

• Work experience – why do it?What it is and what’s in it for you →
• What job might suit me?Ways to work out which job to try →
• Find a PlacementPractical ways to search for a placement →
• Contact an EmployerAn easy template for your first message →
• Build a CVPut your first CV together →