Bit Of Help Trying For A Work Placment.

[Tom_]

Basically Im currently at college doing motorsport engineering BTEC level 3. I am well aware that when applying for a job (or maybe even uni?) previous work experience is a very useful thing to have on my CV. Thing is Im also very aware that its a very competetive buisness, and with the current economic situation I doubt many small companys will be wanting to pay someone with limited experience to make tea, or watch them work over there shoulder or similar.

I know its still possible to get some, I think I will just need to write a professional sounding letter, and sell myself to the company. I mean after working there for 1-2 days a week for a year I imagine I will know my way around whatever is being done fairly well.

Im after advice really, Iv never done anything like this before all the jobs/educational establishments Iv applied for previously have simply been printed aplication forms followed by interview. Any help on what to include in the letter etc. would be much apreciated.

cheers.

[Village Idiot]

I'd start off with a bit explaining what you actually want (like you're looking for work experience/a job whatever with XYZ) then a bit about what you're studying, your interests in that area etc - basically why you're interested in what you're doing and what you hope to gain from the placement. Then try and make it specific to the actual company - show you've done a bit of research into them, know their market, what they do etc and why you've chosen them over another company.

You're right about the economy, a lot of companies aren't hiring at the minute and are actually laying people off (I've been applying for job recently lol), so if I was you I'd consider maybe settling for an unpaid/voluntary placement if you can't find a paid placement. It might sound bad at the minute, but when you're applying for jobs later on, it'll make you stand out if you've got up of your own back and got a bit of experience in the industry. It might also lead to a job with the company if they like you.

[Simpson]

do what i did for my personal statement

pick all the triats you would want in a candidate if you were the boss, i chose

- determination

- team work and co-ordination

- independance

- hard work

and then picked a major thing in my life which has demonstrated why i was each of them, incorperating, school, college and extra-cirricular work

[Tom_]

Cheers guythsss. Iv just started to draft it up. On the payment note, I was thinking that maybe if i dont mention pay, or the lack of it, it will come down the there assumptions as to wether I get paid or not. I was considering if I get no replies from this letter to slightly re-write it and add in about doing it volentarily, as that may then make it slightly more appealing to them... The only real issue with this is that in doing this placement I will be working on a day which I could be working at *cough*Homebase*cough* and earning money, which I kinda need to run my car to get to college/the placment Im applying for. Its tricky. I guess Il have to take on more hours on a different day.

[Joe_Elding]

Could you not just do a 1 or 2 month placment for free in the summer and work in the free days during term time?

[Haz]

What exactly are you looking to do inside motorsport?

Strategy, pit crew, mechanic, etc?

[basher]

One of the most important things is grammer, make sure it all up to scratch and layed out well if not most companies will just throw it in bin with out even reading it. Try not to make it to long winded or they will just get bored and bin it. Just get all the key appealling features in about your self