Work Experience Procedures

Transcription

1 Quiz Please place a in the column which reflects what you think about each of the statements listed below: Work Experience will help me: True False Unsure Begin training for a particular job or career Find out about my likes and dislikes Find out what I am good at doing Find out what interests me Earn some money See what working life is like Understand what is expected of a worker Decide my own future career See how a business firm is organized Learn more about The tasks that have to be done in a place of work Problems that arise in a place of work The point of safety regulations The part played by trade unions Training for a job Be successful when I apply for a job.

2 Prohibited and Restricted Activities Listed below are workplace learning activities which are prohibited. Suggest a reason why. Prohibited Activity Service of alcohol if under 18 Travel by helicopter Air travel on chartered flights unless regular route Travel outside 12 nautical miles at sea Scuba and deep sea diving Attendance at abattoirs Use of dangerous machinery Possible Reason Although the activities listed below are not prohibited, they are restricted and should only be undertaken if the Principal has given specific permission for the student to undertake the task. After looking at the activities, list some possible injuries or accidents, which could arise from participating in these activities. Restricted Activity Deep sea fishing Use of farm equipment including tractors Horse riding Commercial shipping Long distance transport Aircraft maintenance Possible Accident or Injury

3 Think carefully about the industry that you will be undertaking Work Experience in. List below some of the activities that should possibly be restricted. Restricted Activity Possible Accident or Injury

4 Making Contact with the Employer In Person: Some suggestions for making a good impression... Greet the employer by name and title. Smile and try to relax so that you both feel at ease. Introduce yourself. Don t assume the employer has remembered your name. Shake hands firmly and warmly. This applies to both male and female students. Practice at home until you feel comfortable doing so. Make eye contact when speaking to assure the employer that you are interested and involved in the conversation. Stand until you are asked to sit down. Relax and sit naturally. Don t slouch, lean over the desk or fiddle with your hair. Be prepared to make small talk at first as the employer will most likely try to put you at ease. Be prepared to answer questions about yourself as a person. Speak in a firm, clear, confident voice. Try to maintain a positive attitude throughout the interview. Make sure you find out everything you need to know to be prepared for the first day. If you are carrying a mobile phone, make sure it is turned off so as not to interrupt the interview. Wear clean, appropriate clothing and make sure you are clean and well groomed. Don t breathe garlic or cigarette fumes all over the employer.

5 By Telephone: Using the telephone means that you can t impress with your fabulous smile or great outfit. You only have words and the tone of your voice to make an impression. However, you do have the advantage of having your prepared notes right in front of you and the comfort of familiar surroundings. The previous suggestions may be helpful and also keep the following tips in mind: Plan ahead. Be prepared by writing out your questions before and practice saying them out loud. Rehearse answers to likely questions you might be asked Try to ring at an appropriate time, eg: don t ring a restaurant at lunchtime! Be flexible and listen carefully to any questions. Be prepared to deviate from your script if necessary! Don t drink, eat or chew gum when making the call. Give the employer your undivided attention as you would at a face to face interview. Answer questions in short answers. Short answers are more likely to be understood over the phone. You don t want the employer to lose track of what you are saying by rambling on for too long. If you don t understand the question, ask for clarification. Don t complete the call until you have all the information you need. Speak courteously during the call. Irritation or hesitation in your voice is much more noticeable over the phone because of the absence of positive body language. Try to sound relaxed and confident.

6 Additional things for you to consider on the job Telephone skills Good telephone technique is essential on the job as you are representing the employer to the public. Communication is made simple if you remember that both parties have the following right to: know who you are talking to say if it is convenient to proceed with the call express your needs have your needs listened to ask questions expect answers. Points to remember answer the phone promptly within three rings start each call with the name of the company and then your own. Ask your employer for the preferred script find out the name of the caller and use it throughout the call listen carefully and concentrate only on the call. Don t do two things at once. make notes and check with the caller during the call that the information is correct. keep the caller informed. If you are leaving the desk to ask a question, or putting them on hold, tell them that you are doing so. volunteer help if you can. Don t wait to be asked. tell them what you are going to do to follow up the call and make sure you do it! Always stay polite and calm even in difficult situations. You are representing the business and, hopefully, good behaviour from you will result in good behaviour in return.