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Applying for a placement

Applying for a placement can feel like a big step, but you don't have to figure it out on your own. We can help you understand how to find and apply for placements that are right for you, with practical advice on writing strong CVs and cover letters, and preparing for interviews with confidence.
 
 
Two students sitting in the common room with books in front of them, listening to someone talk

What you need to consider

Finding the right placement is about more than just getting experience - it's about choosing an opportunity that helps you grow, builds useful skills and moves you closer to your career goals. As you explore your options, think about what you want to learn, the kind of work you enjoy, and the type of organisation or environment that feels right for you.

It's also important to prepare for your application by growing your online network, building your CV and making sure you're confident going into interviews.

 
 

Choosing your placement

Finding a placement organisation that shares your values

Researching potential organisations is an important step when looking for work-based learning opportunities. Understanding a company's values and goals can help you make informed decisions about who to apply to, whether to accept job offers and can help throughout the interview process.

Before researching organisations, it is important to understand your own values and what you are looking for in an organisation. Think about the following questions:

  • What is important to you in a job when looking for a role?
  • Are you looking for experience within a large, well-established organisation, or would you like to experience working in a start-up where there may be more flexibility within the role?
  • What does the company's culture look like, and how do they treat their employees?
  • What is the organisation's main goal?

Finding answers to these types of questions will help you understand the company's values and whether these align with what is important to you. Your knowledge of an organisation's values will be key during the interview process. Being able to demonstrate your understanding of what is important to that organisation and how they operate will show motivation and a genuine interest to the employer. If your values align with the organisation, it also demonstrates that you could be a good fit for them.

 Identify your own professional values

Identifying your own professional values will help you understand what you consider most important in a role. Identifying these values will also mean you can ensure you are applying to a company which aligns with these values.

You may find the following resources useful when researching professional values:

Identify the industry

Researching employers can be daunting due to the sheer volume of organisations out there. Try to narrow down your search by identifying industries you would particularly like to work in, for example, healthcare, finance, travel.

You may find the following resources useful when researching employers:

Carry out your research

Reaching out to employees who currently work at the organisation can allow you to gain insights into areas such as culture, progression and support. You will also find that much can be learnt about the people and culture of an organisation from its social media activity and commentary, and looking at this content may be helpful.

You may find the following resources useful when making potential connections:

You can also access, review and compare the corporate social responsibility (CSR) plans and progress of the UK’s largest employers by using Windo.

Speculative applications

Making a speculative application means getting in touch with an organisation to ask whether they have a suitable placement for you, despite the fact that they are not advertising a particular vacancy. It usually involves sending a cover letter and a CV.

Not all placements are advertised. This is particularly common in certain sectors, such as media, charities, design, environmental work, and with small organisations. By limiting your placement search to opportunities that are advertised, you are reducing your chances of finding your perfect placement.

It is important to be proactive in your placement search. Every year, we see a large number of our students who successfully find a placement via the speculative application approach. If you are committed to finding a placement, the speculative approach should be an integral part of your placement search.

The following resources offer some excellent tips on how you can increase your chances of speculative application success:

Considering a placement abroad

A placement abroad offers you a unique opportunity to gain international work experience, broaden your cultural understanding, and develop global professional skills. Working in a different country challenges you to adapt, communicate across cultures, and solve problems in diverse environments - qualities highly valued by employers worldwide.

Beyond enhancing your CV, an overseas placement helps you build a global network, improves your language abilities, and fosters personal growth and independence. Whether you're exploring new industries or expanding your career horizons, a placement abroad can be a transformative step toward a successful and dynamic future.

There are a lot of additional considerations to make with planning for a placement abroad, such as accommodation, cost of living, visas, language barriers and safety. Therefore, it is particularly important that you start planning well in advance if you are considering an overseas placement.

If you are interested in completing your placement abroad, speak to your Placement Coordinator by emailing placements@napier.ac.uk to find out more.

 
 

Preparing your application

CVs and cover letters

As you begin your journey towards securing a placement or job opportunity, two essential tools will help you stand out to potential employers: your CV and your cover letter. These documents showcase your skills, experience, and motivation. When done well, they can set you apart in a competitive job market.

Introduction to interviews

Interviews are your chance to showcase not just your skills and experience, but also your personality, enthusiasm, and fit for the role.

Preparing well can boost your confidence and help you make a great first impression. Whether it's a one-on-one chat, a panel interview, or a video call, understanding the process and practising your responses will set you up for success.

Values-based interviews

It is becoming more common for employers to ask potential employees about their values during the interview process. Values-based questions allow interviewers to understand how candidates will demonstrate their values in their work. Therefore, it is recommended to show you have researched a company's values ahead of the interview.

You may find the following resources useful when preparing for values-based questions:

Asking questions in interviews

Asking the right questions in an interview is beneficial for two reasons:

  1. You can gain a deeper understanding of the role, culture and organisation
  2. It can help you stand out and look prepared.

You may wish to view the following resources for some further helpful guidance on what questions you can ask interviewers:

Remember, if you feel you could benefit from additional support from one of our experienced Placement Coordinators, you can book a one-to-one appointment on myFuture.

Enhancing your online network

Enhancing your professional network online, particularly through LinkedIn, allows you to connect with industry experts, alumni, and potential employers. By actively engaging on LinkedIn, sharing relevant content, joining groups, and reaching out with personalised messages, you can uncover hidden job opportunities, gain valuable industry insights, and build meaningful relationships that can significantly advance your career.