WORDS: TOM JAMISON

Resettlement is about many things, but probably the single most important is ‘translating’ yourself into the civilian world. An important part of this is fitting into civilian workplaces where you’ll find command structures and working relationships with colleagues quite different from those you know well from your time in the Armed Forces.

This is why an important part of the Resettlement package offered through the Career Transition Partnership is the chance to gain practical work experience before you receive your discharge papers.

Work experience isn’t just about getting some more training ‘outside’; the learning experience it provides is about ‘the big picture’ – it’s not just more training in a workshop or lecture hall.

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL

In a purely practical sense, work experience is the simplest way to find out whether a particular career option is right for you; you can find out more about what it involves, and whether it’s the kind of job for you – to find out if the temptation to scoff the cakes in the bakery is too overwhelming, for instance.

You’re not paid by the employer; well, you’re still on Her Majesty’s payroll, after all! The important part of ‘work experience’ is ‘experience’; it gives you the opportunity to work in a civilian environment, possibly in a nine-to-five environment with a far wider range of men and women than you’ve previously known. You’ll get a chance to ‘practice’ working in civvy street.

In today’s tough economic climate, work experience is a useful part of any jobseeker’s arsenal. It shows potential employers you’re the kind of person who’s willing to work and learn. It’s an opportunity to carry out some ‘gentle networking’ in your chosen sector. Plus, work experience can be a foot in the door – a way of showcasing your talents to a potential employer, who can assess your employability without fear of obligation or additional recruitment costs. Win-win all round.

SOONER, RATHER THAN LATER

If you’re eligible for full support from the CTP, then you can arrange Trial Attachments – aka Civilian Work Attachments – through them at any point during your last two years – subject to your other duties, of course!

There is no definitive length of trial attachment; how long it lasts will depend on your needs and those of the employer, so we’re talking anything between a single day and more than five weeks – whatever best fits within your own Personal Resettlement Plan.

In the job market, as elsewhere, first impressions are vital; in terms of your future career, work experience is a free roll of the dice that could land you a job – or at the very least give you valuable experience that you can use later. So, what’s stopping you?

Getting The Most Out Of Work Experience:

Do Your Research: understand the aims and objectives of the company or organisation you’ll be working with, and try to gauge what they’re looking for in an employee.

Dress Code: It’s not always easy to find out a company’s dress-code in advance – what exactly do they mean by ‘smart casual’, for example? It’s best to overdress on day one and then adjust your kit accordingly.

Have A Plan: make sure you have some ideas about what you want to get out of your time with the company. This might include ‘trying out’ certain activities or jobs but you may need to be flexible. Having goals lets you measure how successful your work experience has been.

Listen: Pay attention to instructions, to ideas, to people telling you about deadlines and so on. It’s the most effective way of gathering information.

Be sociable: Get to know people, what they do and how they do it. And remember that you’re stepping into established territory; try not to use anyone’s favourite mug without permission!

Be Grateful: OK, technically you’re giving them your skills for free, but the people you’ll be working with will also be putting themselves out for you – and teaching you invaluable skills and techniques that could be useful later. They may well be pretty patient with you while you ‘get the hang of things’.

Ask Questions and Take Notes: Make sure you understand what’s being asked of you. It’s far better to ask questions, or tackle a problem early, rather than taking a guess that turns out to be embarrassingly wrong – and costs the company money to fix it. It’s worthwhile recording everything you experience, learn and achieve and any specific challenges that you’ve overcome – useful points for your future CV.

You Get Out What You Put In: Learning isn’t a one way street, and nobody has the monopoly on good ideas. Suggesting ideas shows enthusiasm and alertness. OK, your idea may have been tried before and found wanting, but a fresh perspective can sometimes see things that are being overlooked by those blinded by routine or method. Giving your all while on work experience can be rewarding; research continues to show that many individuals return to the same company for employment after placement.

Understand Expected Outcomes: Discuss with your supervisor or manager what’s expected of you and how your work will be measured. Are you going to be assessed on speed or the quality of the finished product, for example. Ask for feedback regularly and use it in a constructive way to improve the way you go about tasks.

Ask For A Reference: This could well be useful when looking for a permanent job.