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Placement Guide

The placement search, all in one place.

These guides cover the three stages of getting a placement: applying, writing your CV and preparing for the interview.

How do I apply for a placement year?

Start early, apply to roles that match your course and interests, and tailor every application. Many employers open applications months before the placement starts, and some close as soon as they have enough candidates.

  1. Start early.Begin looking in the first term of the year before your placement. Larger employers often recruit well ahead.
  2. Set up your profile and job alerts.Add your CV, course and the roles you want on jobsforinterns, so matching placements come to you.
  3. Choose roles that fit.Read each listing carefully and apply where your skills, course or interests match what the employer wants.
  4. Tailor each application.Use the employer’s own words from the listing, and give a real example for each skill they ask for.
  5. Keep track.Note where you’ve applied, the closing dates and what happens next. Your jobsforinterns account shows the status of every application you make there.
  6. Keep going.Rejections are normal when placements receive over 100 applications each. Ask for feedback where you can and use it in your next application.

How do I write a placement CV?

Keep it to two pages, lead with your education and any relevant experience, and show what you did rather than listing duties.

  1. Add your contact details.Name, email, phone number and a link to your LinkedIn or portfolio. Leave out your date of birth and photo.
  2. Write a short profile.Two or three sentences on your course, the kind of placement you want and what you bring.
  3. List your education.University, course, expected grade or module results so far, and relevant modules.
  4. Show your experience.Part-time jobs, volunteering, societies and projects all count. For each, say what you did and what came of it.
  5. Add your skills.Include software, languages and anything the listing asks for, with evidence where you can.
  6. Check it carefully.Read it aloud, check spelling and ask someone else to look over it before you send it.

How do I prepare for a placement interview?

Research the employer, prepare examples of your skills, and practise answering out loud.

  1. Research the employer.Read their website, recent news and the listing again, so you can explain why you want to work there.
  2. Prepare your examples.Pick four or five examples from your studies, jobs or activities. Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
  3. Practise out loud.Rehearse common questions such as “Tell me about yourself” and “Why this placement?” with a friend or on your own.
  4. Prepare questions to ask.Ask about the work you’d do, who you’d work with and what past placement students went on to do.
  5. Plan the practical details.Check the time, location or video link, and test your camera and microphone if it’s online.
  6. Follow up.Send a short thank-you email after the interview.

Put it into practice

Create your free profile, add your CV and set up job alerts for the roles you want.