How can I help my child see what skills they have to offer to a work experience placement?
Before applying for a work experience placement it is useful if students know what skills they have and which will be useful in the job they are applying to.
Although some jobs require technical skills such as computing, scientific, practical, etc., there a set of 'essential skills' required in ANY job.
However, asking young people what skills they have (or adults too!) can be a difficult question, but the Careerpilot Skills Profile offers a different way to help young people see they already have lots of skills.
The Skills Profile - will ask what they have done in their life, learning or work so far (the students will need to be registered and signed in to complete the Skills Profile). For each question they tick, they will be shown which skills they have used when doing the activity. This builds up a 'Skills Profile'. They can then add any other examples they can think of (and add work experience as an activity when it has been completed).
Matching their skills to the skills needed in a work experience job role:
Now they can start thinking of the skills THEY have that fit with the role they hope to be doing on work experience. Knowing the skills they have and also which will be particularly useful in a work experience job role gives students confidence that they have something to offer and also gives them skills they can mention when they apply.
They can easily match their skills to the skills needed in a work experience job role on Careerpilot, in the Skills Profile. Just below their list of skills they can 'Compare their skills to a job'. Just type in a work experience job role e.g animal care worker, click to compare and they will see the skills required in the job on the left (pink background) and on the right, THEIR skills. They can then select 3 or 4 THEY have that the job wants.
Answers to these other questions might also help you:
- What is work experience and what are the benefits?
- How can I help my child think about types of work and work experiences that might suit them?
- How can I help my child find a work experience placement?
- How can I help my child prepare an email to send to an employer requesting work experience?
- How can I help my child get ready for a work placement so they feel more confident?
