YOUR GUIDE TO WORK EXPERIENCE

HELLO.
We are a leading financial services company operating in several countries around the world including Canada, Germany and India.
We have been providing financial products and services for over 150 years. Today, we offer a wide range of life assurance, pension and investment products as well as banking services and healthcare insurance. Through our investment arm, we also manage assets.

A placement with us will provide a great opportunity to develop your skills and get a flavour for the world of work you'll enter once you finish school.
We want you to enjoy your time with us – perhaps one day you might be interested in a career with us.

YOUR FIRST DAY

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE
When you get to the building, go to the main reception area and ask for your placement contact.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING
During your placement we'll introduce you to as many general office skills as we can. Things like:
- Using a PC
- Using a photocopier and fax machine.
- Distributing and issuing mail.
- Learning how information is filed and stored.
- Attending meetings.
- Listening to phone calls.
- Working within a team.

WHAT'S EXPECTED OF YOU
Do your best – the way you behave during your placement is really important, the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it.

You should:
- Attend work at the times agreed.
- Be polite and helpful.
- Do your best to carry out any tasks.
- Show interest and enthusiasm.
- Tell your contact (by 9.30am) if you are unable to come to work.
- Adhere to office rules and guidelines.
- Dress appropriately.

You should not:
- Misuse or discuss confidential information.
- Use office resources for personal use.
- Let yourself down with inappropriate behaviour.
- Use your mobile phone whilst in the office.
- Misuse the intranet/internet.

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This booklet has some diary pages with questions to help you review each day. Try to answer the questions at the end of each day.

DAY 1
Did you arrive at the time arranged and who was your first contact?
...
Did you feel nervous? If yes, what made you feel nervous?
...
What tasks (if any) did you perform today?
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What skills have you used? What have you learned today?
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How do you feel about your first day in the workplace?
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Do you feel tired or unhappy or pleased with yourself?
...

DAY 2
Did you work with the same people today? If no, who did you work with?
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What tasks did you perform and what did you find particularly interesting?
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Is the workplace as you expected? If no why is this?
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Do you feel tired or unhappy or pleased with yourself?
...

DAY 3
Did you feel like getting up today to go on your work placement? If no, why was this?
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What are the main rules and regulations in this work place?
...
Have the rules or regulations affected you and why do you think they are necessary?
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Describe the main tasks you completed today.
...
What was the best part of today's experience?
...

DAY 4
Did you arrive at the agreed time today?
...
Describe the main tasks you completed today.
...
Do you think anyone could do this type of work, or do you think people need special qualities or qualifications?
...
Describe the type of work going on around you.
...
How does this happen?
...

DAY 5
What did you enjoy most about your work experience?
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What did you enjoy least about your work experience?
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How can you use your new skills back at school?
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Did you find the staff friendly and helpful? If no, why do you think this is?
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Would you like to work in an environment like this when you finish school? If no, why not?
...
Now your work experience is nearly over, have your ideas and expectations of work changed? If yes, how?
...

(from a genuine text)