How I found my dream placement from the University of Birmingham

As I wrap up semester one of my final year studying Business Management at the University of Birmingham, it’s becoming clear how beneficial my placement year was. I’ve returned to university with new skills, new friends and a newfound confidence to put myself out there and give everything a go.

Several courses offer the opportunity to undertake a year-long placement between second and final year. It must be a minimum of 33 consecutive weeks however, they are typically 12-months.

I completed my dream placement at LOOKFANTASTIC, Europe’s biggest online beauty retailer, where I was a Marketing Intern for 12-months. Not only did I get to experience living in a new city for a year, but I also featured in a campaign with Molly-Mae, saw my face on billboards and led an entire campaign.

Here is how I found my dream placement and my top tips for securing one:

Job boards & Careers Network emails

The first step in completing your dream placement is finding it. Larger companies normally open their placement applications in autumn, so it’s important that you know where to look, as they can close quickly. These are my recommendations:

LinkedIn

Bright Network

Higherin

Targetjobs

Don’t forget to subscribe to your college’s Careers Network emails because they sometimes advertise placement opportunities exclusively for students at the University of Birmingham!

Tailor your CV

It can be tempting to reuse the same CV for every placement you apply to, but it means that it won’t be tailored to the job description or company. You can use the CV checker to receive feedback on the style and presentation of your CV. Plus, you can upload a job description, and it will score how well your CV matches.

Always write a cover letter if you’re given the option

While some companies won’t ask for a cover letter as part of your application, many will give you the option to. Please do! This is your opportunity to tell the recruiters what you can contribute to their company, why you want that role and the skills you already have that will help you to make a positive impact from day one.

The Careers Network offer cover letter workshops, one-to-one appointments and templates to get you started. I took full advantage of their services when applying to LOOKFANTASTIC, and it worked!

Optimise your LinkedIn profile

Over 87% of recruiters use LinkedIn to find talent and to do more research on candidates, so it’s important to present yourself professionally online. Before you consider posting, ensure your profile is optimised by filling in all the sections. Something as simple as adding a profile picture will boost your chances of being recognised.

I remember writing my first LinkedIn post and the dread that consumed me. I promise you it’s not as scary as it seems! Even if you don’t have much work experience, there is lots to post about that employers will find attractive. For example, a group assignment, a guest lecture, a recent sports achievement, a society event you attended (or event organised).

By optimising your profile, posting regularly and building your connections, you might even receive placement offers directly! Check out the Careers Network LinkedIn support.

It can take time

My last piece of advice is to be patient and resilient. Placements can be very competitive, and the truth is that you are bound to be rejected by some. Although it can be disappointing, there are lots more opportunities and your dream placement could be right round the corner. Having said that, your placement might not end up being your ‘dream’ one and that’s okay! You’re just starting out in your career, so you’re not expected to find your perfect role, industry and company first-time.