Does work experience matter..

[Conservative,]

When applying for a job?

Because I've got work experience in the summer. Currently I've got a place with a family friend who runs a media company that does publicity for certain organisations, but I want to be a banker when I'm older..

So would it make much difference? Should I try and get a place at a bank instead (although I have tried and couldn't find anywhere)?

I'm just wondering because the deadline is soon and I'm unsure on what I should do.

[ChickenFaces]

You might as well do it, it wouldn't hurt to try.

[Chris]

I guess you could try and find a place at a bank, but I don't think it would make much difference when you come to apply for a job...

[Jordy]

Work experience does matter yes, when applying for your first job it's about the only thing you'll have on your CV. However it doesn't really matter where you do your work experience although it does look a bit weak if you chose a school or supermarket.

You get plenty of other chances to do work experience in the future (The more the better), you can then focus more on banking.

[Conservative,]

Work experience does matter yes, when applying for your first job it's about the only thing you'll have on your CV. However it doesn't really matter where you do your work experience although it does look a bit weak if you chose a school or supermarket.

You get plenty of other chances to do work experience in the future (The more the better), you can then focus more on banking.

Cheers.

I think before I apply for a full time job I'll go to Uni xD My mum said it's just about getting used to being in a working environment etc. So I suppose it don't hurt.

I'll look around for bank placements...anyone have any ideas?

[ben]

yeah banks

[Hushy]

work experience counts for alot.. it also acts as your first proper reference on your cv. It shows that you are capable of adapting to the working enviroment and your potential employer is able to contact your place of experience and find out how you were during your time there.

[Nicola]

It doesn't matter whether it's for a media company and you want to be a banker, yes it would be better if you could get a placement in a bank though. At the end of the day work experience is experiencing what being in a job is like. It'll look good if you can write down what skills you have learnt from working too.

[Jordy]

Cheers.

I think before I apply for a full time job I'll go to Uni xD My mum said it's just about getting used to being in a working environment etc. So I suppose it don't hurt.

I'll look around for bank placements...anyone have any ideas?Expand to finance in general. I'm also interested in a career in economics and for work experience this summer I've been looking at anything to do with finance. Banks are very difficult to get work experience with it seems. You're in an ideal location for this living in London though, there's so many jobs and businesses relating to the finance industry particularly in the City. I've tried credit rating firms and credit card firms as well.

[Recursion]

Yes, even for Uni work experience is a huge plus and even a requirement on some courses for teaching etc.

[N!ck]

Any work experience anywhere is good. If it's relevant, then even better.

[kuzkasate]

Depends what you wanna do, if for example you say you want to be a banker, I doubt even a work placement at a bank will help tbh, they give them to everyone. I had two people, possibly the biggest idiots in the school, get work experience at RBS.

I planned ahead, kind of, I knew that with the EMA being abolished, I would definately have to get a part time job whilst at college and I doubt any top-notch places will let you work there, thats why nearly all students go into retail. So I just got work experience with a retailer so when you apply for a job whilst your in college, you can show that you have retail experience. Because for someone who did work experience at a bank, well what would they know about retail? :P

[Janet Snakehole]

If you can get work experience in the job sector in which you'd like to work in when you've left education then yes, go for it. But at the end of the day, some kind of work experience is better than those without any at all. If you can't get work experience in a bank then perhaps go for the next best thing, perhaps working in an office for a week or two or something similar, you know, skills that you would need to have to work in a bank.

[AgnesIO]

I didn't find it very importatant.

It was good fun, but I didn't really learn much on it - not for the sector I want to work in anyway :P

[chantellehugs]

If you're looking to go into banking you could apply at your local council. My friend did hers in the finance department of my local council.

I think work experience is important and useful if it's something that will help you get a job. I did mine at an Opticians and it was basic reception duties plus I learnt a lot about how glasses are made and how the receptionists order them. I also got to speak to the customers and help them choose glasses. Now having work experience there could help me get a part time job at an Opticians possibly as a dispenser or even assistant.