As much as we hate to admit it, employers don’t only look at our qualifications or our final year exam results in courses that would make you a perfect candidate for the job they’re advertising. We know it all boils down to the amount of experience we have gained whilst studying. Take it from us, it’s important to gain some professional experience during your studies as it shows your future interviewer or employer that you are serious about the working world. 

However, internships aren’t the only way to gain experience, there are a few other ways to gain experience for your own personal development and to attract your future employer. We have put together this short post to shed some light on how to gain work experience in different ways to make your CV shine from the rest.

1. Volunteer

Volunteering has several benefits and it’s a good option if you weren’t successful with landing your dream internship. Volunteering is a great way to do some meaningful work for your community or city that speaks to your passions and interest whilst also gaining valuable skills and experience that you can add to your CV. There are many charities and NGOs in the country that are doing wonderful work to address a variety of societal needs and you are bound to find something worth your time. 

2. Blogging

You’re already staring at your computer screen for hours on end by applying for hundreds of jobs at a time, so why not take a break and use blogging as a way of talking about what interests you. Let the creative juices flow! It’s an easy and quick way to build an online presence and explore things that you’re passionate about. Make sure you add your blog link to your CV, so your employer can get to know you a bit better as an individual. Blog about fashion, food or sport – the sky is the limit!

3. Network

Networking is a great way to have a little peak into the career you want to get into by attending various career mixers and events. Getting help and support from peers and professionals that share the same career interests as you puts you one step ahead. It’s also considered an easy way of learning more about your dream job whilst building a network with these professionals. Being surrounded by accomplished individuals can be overwhelming but it’s a great experience and also helps you to build confidence. An additional tip would be to scroll through LinkedIn and identify important people who are worth connecting with and ask them for advice.

Gaining experience is important and the best part is that it doesn’t have to be time consuming or expensive. Go and put yourself out there!