Here is the second blog post in our GIANT work experience series, where Germano tells you his top five tips for someone about to start a digital marketing work experience placement. Enjoy!
For inexperienced graduates the first work experience can prove to be a challenging task. Keep in mind two things. You have been selected, and that is a good reason for you to be proud in the first place. Secondly, both you and the company want the best out of this experience – so fear not. Nevertheless there are some guidelines that you should follow to improve your experience.
Tip 1: Do your homework
Before starting it is crucial that your prepare yourself in order to make a good impression. Review the key topics that you’re likely to come across during the experience. By doing this you will be in a better position to make a good impact, but also increase your level of confidence.
Tip 2: Get the most of out it
From day one make this a valuable experience for yourself. Be the first one to get there and the last one to leave, don’t approach it as a 9-to-5 activity. You will value your stay at the company a lot more. This will also give a sign of how much you appreciate the opportunity you were given.
If you have a question don’t hesitate. By preparing yourself beforehand you should be able to answer most of the challenges, but in case of doubt don’t hesitate to say as the company doesn’t expect you to know everything. Take advantage of it and improve your knowledge; this is also part of the experience and shows that you are interested.
Be autonomous, and do further research around the topics introduced during the work experience.
Tip 3: Take notes
Improve the outcome of your work experience by taking notes. During your time at the company you will be exposed to a great amount of knowledge. Taking notes will enable you to gather the most important information in one place. This simple trick keeps you organised and efficient, and can mean you are able to remember that new tool that you wanted to know more about, or can execute your tasks without missing out an important bit.
Tip 4: Don’t rush in to show off your skills
Having the opportunity to join a company for the first time can be a tense experience during the first days, especially if there are less positions offered than interns attending. Trying to show off your skills can prove to be a bad approach. You could easily at some point make a bad judgement and make yourself look a bit silly, particularly if you’re trying to show off about something you don’t necessarily know that much about. Relax, take in as much as you can and contribute at the right moments, don’t force it. In the long run it will pay off.
Tip 5: Enjoy it
The final message is once again to relax. Look at this as a great opportunity and most importantly enjoy it. As mentioned previously the company also wants to make this a valuable and enjoyable experience for you, so there are no reasons for it not to be a wonderful experience.
Work experience is a great chance for you to learn, and it could even convert into your first work placement, so don’t waste this opportunity! But above all enjoy it, and make the most out of it.
By Germano Filipe Coutinho da Cunha
Liked Germano’s post? Read about Rebecca’s top five tips for work experience here.