3 Preparing for Placement You must attend all your employability sessions. There are lots of ways you can prepare for your placement, and you will have help and guidance along the way. The following guide will help you get prepared for your placement. Research • Remember, placements need to be linked to your course. • Ask your friends and family for ideas – they may have excellent contacts. • Search online and in your local area for potential organisations – you can use social media, LinkedIn, and business directories such as Yell. • Prepare your CV & cover letter – speak to your Employability Tutor for support with this. • Research how you will travel to placement – is the journey reasonable? • Find out as much information as you can about the employer. Contacting Employers • Make sure you have key information about yourself and the placement details to hand – when it starts, days required etc. • Remember all communication (telephone, email, or in-person) should remain polite and professional. • Where possible get a contact name and keep track of who you have contacted– make a note of the employer’s name, contact details, address & whether they’re interested. • Inform your Employability Tutor about your progress. Professional Communication Example Hi, I’m Kacey and I’m a Level 3 student studying Professional Cookery at University College Birmingham. I’m looking for a placement from October to July and would love the opportunity to work for your organisation. Would it be possible to arrange a meeting so I can discuss the placement in more detail, and what I can offer your organisation?
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