Generally we would like you to approach us for Work Experience once you have a broad idea about website design, graphic design and SEO, and can demostrate skill and / or knowledge in these areas:
1, I would just like to enquire whether or not you would be willing to offer any work experience to a Year 10 student? I currently attend St Clere’s School in Stanford-Le-Hope, where I study Graphic Design and Computer Science. I also have a keen interest in Web Design, Advertising and Television, Film & Media. In addition, I have no trouble with travelling around the borough and into London, often socialising with friends and taking opportunities to snap some interesting pictures with my cameras. I have researched into your company and have seen some of the great work you do with your clients, the Search Engine Optimisation process particularily interested me, as I have always wondered how Google finds all of those relevant websites for your searches. If you would be able to offer me a placement, I kindly request that you email me back to this email address, and I can provide you with some further background information, a short portfolio and a reference
2, I have been offered an apprenticeship in IT at ITEC Learning Technologies in Basildon. In order to start my programme I need to be employed in an IT role. As an apprentice you would need to pay me a minimum of £98.80 per week. I will have the opportunity to study CompTIA and Microsoft qualifications as part of the programme. My level 2 apprenticeship will last for approx. 12 months and I will be required to attend some day release during this time.
If you think that you may be able to offer me a position within your organisation please contact Amanda at ITEC who will be able to answer any questions you may have and advise you of any grants that may be available to businesses taking on an apprentice.
3, I have done a course in web design and wondered if it would be possible to do some work experience once a week for a few weeks at your company? I currently live in Corringham and I don’t work on tuesday’s and thursday’s, so they are ideal days for me to come in. Your websites look proffesional and your company seem good at what they do and I would really appreciate some experience in a web design company.
Reply – Ok I have had a brief look at your portfolio / CV and am impressed that you have learned website design / dreamweaver while working and this is a sign for me that you are keen to learn and improve your skills as you are obviously wanting to spread your wings and work in the website world.
I think there is value in having a chat and can tell you in plain language what I would expect and you can see if you want to take a leap into the web design world, there are no guarantees or promises but if you prove adaptable / keen / hardworking / talented I am sure that you could eventually be a benefit to our company and on the way you would become expert at html / css / seo / ecommerce etc etc ( I would hope anyway)
Between now and Thursday I want you to read about SEO (search engine optimisation) and website design basics and want you to re-visit your two / three sites and give me a list of problems / improvements you think are needed. You can also look at any site in our portfolio and find something you dont think is perfect / right and could be improve (from a webdesign / graphic design / accessibility / SEO / browser compatibility) perspective.
Have you got ‘website design for dummies’ or a similar book like that ? I really recommend that type of book (dont be put off by the title as it gets quite advanced). Flash is a non-starter for us and we avoid it if at all possible so forget about that dying skill.
4, I spoke to you this morning, I’m a mature student looking for some work experience over the summer, June to September. I am just completing my first year of a BSc Business Computer Systems degree, during the year I have been taught HTML5, CSS and JavaScript.
The first assignment related to a website designed for Firefox using HTML5 and CSS, the about me page is linked to two CSS documents and when the user changes the style on the about me page the appearance has to change significantly as if its a completely different web page. I gained an A+ for this assignment ( only 8 out of 180 students achieved this grade).
The second assignment focuses on the use of JavaScript, with no JavaScript to be contained within the HTML. I am awaiting grades for this assignment but had a viva voce exam around my code on Monday and they said my site was customer focused and one of the best they had seen. They also commented it went way over and above what was required for the assignment, which highlights my commitment to the subject.
I am very passionate and enthusiastic and want to learn as much as I can about web development. I am willing to work all summer and put in extra hours at home to gain as much from the experience as I can. I have also attached a Curriculum Vitae for your perusal. If you have any places for work experience or trainee roles than I would be very grateful if you would consider me for a position.
5, Having recently graduated I am looking for a job within the creative industry. Please could you let me know if there are any vacancies within your marketing / events / administration / copy-writing departments. I studied English Literature and Creative Writing at university and run a fashion blog called thefashiondiariesblog.wordpress.com. Please let me know if you are interested as I live in Leigh-on-sea and am available immediately for an interview.
