One of the buzzwords around at the moment is 'employability'. It's all to do with having developed an understanding of the practical skills required for the world of work, which employers now expect you to have.

A period of any form of work experience will enhance your employability skills so that you are able to articulate your achievements in order for employers to have an understanding of what you might be able to do for them.

It's all about being able to 'sell' yourself - not something many people are comfortable with, but in a competitive world you need to be able to stand out from the crowd.

When embarking on any period of work experience, it's essential you keep the end goal i.e. your future career, in mind.

Time spent working over the university holidays, in term-time, or during a gap or placement year is an invaluable way of testing out if a career is for you; gaining much needed experience; and building a network of contacts that will help you as you progress.

Research shows that many work experience students return to the same company for employment on graduation, so that temporary spell could end up earning you a full-time job on graduation.

So here are some tips for how to get the most out of a work placement:

Before

• Set some personal objectives - Ask yourself what you want to get out of it – what is it you want to learn about? The company, the industry, or both?
• Find out the dress code – don’t be afraid check in advance. You’ll be uncomfortable in a suit if everyone is more casual and even more so if it’s the other way around!

During

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take notes when being briefed by your boss at the outset – better to ask outright and be clear than make mistakes later;
• Keep a note of challenges you overcome each day and any problem solving required – this demonstrates initiative and prioritising skills;
• Grab any chance to take on more responsibility and undertake new tasks – a sure way of developing new talents;
• Ask for feedback from your employer and the people you work with – there may be room for improvement, plus successes and achievements are what you need to put on your CV;
• Make suggestions – just because you’re a work experience student, it doesn’t mean you don’t have good ideas, and your colleagues will always appreciate seeing things from a new perspective;
• Finally, don't forget to ask for a reference!

This article was kindly contributed by Liz Rhodes, MBE, Director, National Council for Work Experience

The article Why bother with work experience? originally appeared on 999 Today