Blog: Top tips for starting your placement

Tip 1: What To Expect on Your First Day

To start, let’s imagine it is your first day! Knowing where you are going and how to get there is your first step. My advice is to make sure you leave plenty of time to get to the company office, whether you are driving or alternatively getting public transport (a great app if you are in London and taking the tube is ‘Citymapper’). Remember it is always better to be early than late.
Next up, your placement will most likely involve an induction programme on your first day (or alternatively in the first few weeks). Remember to bring a notebook with you, this will help you jot down any questions you have or any key points you want to take away.
During the day, you will be introduced to different members of your team. Don’t worry about forgetting their name or role, you aren’t expected to remember all the information you are being told. However, this is a good opportunity to ask questions and show interest.
Personally, I felt as though there was an overload of information on my first day, but this is completely normal and not something to be afraid of.

Tip 2: What Your First Week Will Cover:

Within the first week, you will have a meeting with IT to set up your laptop and an e-mail account among various other databases needed for your job.
Next up, there will be a company overview, where you will learn how your role fits into the company as a whole. This meeting will usually be with the other students also doing a placement (if working for a larger organisation). If you’re joining a smaller organisation this meeting will be more intimate.
You will be made aware of the company policies and procedures, for example this will include the health and safety check.
A tour of the office will enable you to familiarise yourself with the different departments (including marketing, finance, legal, purchasing etc). Some of the larger companies will have more than one floor and will have a vast number of different product/service departments (for example, Bosch has several different departments including Automotive Aftermarket, Original Equipment, Power Tools, Home etc).
Additionally, within the first or second week, you’ll get the opportunity to set objectives with your manager which will be reviewed on a regular basis (i.e. in your weekly catch up meetings).

Tip 3: Make a Good First Impression

Be polite, and always treat your work colleagues with respect. Prior to starting your placement, ensure you are aware of the organization’s working culture.
Have a positive attitude! If you’re more reserved then that’s ok– show an interest in the company and your colleagues. Remember to ask questions and get involved as much as you can.

Tip 4: Dress Appropriately

Prior to starting, check what your working attire is. This could range from business formal, business professional, business casual, and casual (you can either message your manager to find out about your dress code or ask your predecessor).
Check your contract if you are unsure, as it’ll more than likely feature on here.

Tip 5: Be Yourself

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself within the first few weeks. Your manager and the organisation are used to new placement students and understand there is a learning process to overcome.
In the first few weeks you’ll find yourself adjusting to your new working life, but it’s natural for this to take some getting used to. Make sure you’re eating well and getting plenty of sleep !!

Tip 6: Get to know people

A lot of organisations have social events and clubs where you can get to know your colleagues better (for example, at Bosch we had netball, football and yoga activities each week). Taking part in these different activities will help you meet new people and help you settle into your placement a lot quicker.
Of course you’ll instantly click with some colleagues faster than others.

Last but not least, have fun and take advantage of all the opportunities which are thrown at you!! & good luck!

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