Thorpe Molloy recommends work experience for students

 

Originally published: 21/7/2006

Relevant work experience could be the vital key which admits students to the workplace, according to Brett Solomon, senior consultant at leading recruitment agency Thorpe Molloy.

With more than 400,000 people attending various universities throughout the UK, it is even more important that students further their career prospects by getting relevant work experience, he said.

"The jobs market is increasingly competitive and it is vital that students wanting to pursue a career in their chosen area can differentiate themselves from their peers.

"Being able to add office work experience to their CV demonstrates to future employers that the candidate has made an effort to experience the discipline and work ethic of an office environment.

"It can also be reassuring to future employers to know that the candidate has worked in a similar environment, has had to co-operate with colleagues, and is able to cope with the rigours of a working week."

Traditionally, students tend to approach bars and restaurants for summer jobs because they find that working in that type of environment can be a fun way to earn extra money.

However, Brett suggests that those who are more career-focused should think about looking for a job that will give them experience that could prove invaluable in helping them to pursue their chosen career.

"There is no doubt that the economy is buoyant at present and this presents employers with problems, namely a lack of high-calibre candidates.

"Encouraging students to consider office work in place of less relevant employment opens another pool of candidates for employers to consider."