Example work experience applications

Applying for work experience at the Crick? Take a look at two applications that were successful, and find out how to make your application stand out.
Work experience student being supervised at microscope

Lab-based placement

First, take a look at the job description.

DNA sequencing

Our lab, the Advanced Sequencing Facility, uses cutting-edge technologies to determine the sequence of DNA strands (the order of the A, T, C and G bases). Knowing this information can help us decode vital genetic information and answer important biological questions. For example, identifying mutated genes which cause cancer, and tracking the rapidly-mutating genome of the flu virus to help design a vaccine.  
  
During the work experience placement, the successful student will have to opportunity to contribute to disease research by working in the laboratory to prepare samples for sequencing, and helping analyse the data we uncover from these experiments.

Desirable qualities of the successful student 

  • Good attention to detail 
  • Proactive 
  • Can work independently 
  • Team player 
  • Problem solver 
     

The application

And now, compare it to at the application that the student sent in.

Why have you applied for this placement at the Crick and what do you hope to do in the future? 

At the Crick, I will have the opportunity of being exposed to a professional laboratory setting, in which current research is being taken placed.

I have also applied for this placement because I am curious about how the makeup of the DNA sequence affects the entire function and development of living organisms.

In future, I would like to study Biomedical Sciences at University to learn more about genetic illnesses and ways of treating them. I think the lab techniques that I would learn throughout this placement, such as preparing samples, would help to prepare me for this course.
 

What did they do well?

  • The student refers to details of the placement from the job description directly. 

  • They also show genuine interest in the topic of the placement as it goes above and beyond the details in the job description. 

  • They link specific skills from the job description into what they want to do in the future.

  • What skills or qualities do you have that would be useful for the work experience placement you have applied for, and why? 

    I am a team player who is able to listen and communicate well with others to form solutions to problems, like I have done in a number of areas across my life. For example, I am part of the football team at my school where teamwork is very important, and I am also responsible for organising practise after school and making sure everyone knows the timings of games.

    I am always considerate of the environment that I am in. This can be demonstrated from when I volunteered at a school for children with special needs, where I needed to take thoughtful approaches when interacting with young children. 

    This is a useful skill as it shows that I can adjust appropriately to different situations, which is important when working in new and professional settings.  

  • This student refers directly to two personal qualities listed in the job description -  ‘problem solver’ and ‘team player’, as well as two not on the job description.

  • The student lists a specific example of where they use these skills.

  • The student adds another relevant additional quality (consideration of the environment they are in), explains it fully with an example, and then explains why this skill would be useful for the placement

  • What skills or qualities are you looking to develop during a placement at the Crick? How do you feel the work experience placement would help you develop these? 

    I would like to develop my laboratory skills such as appropriately handling equipment, as a lab is not an environment that I am frequently exposed to. I would also like to improve my resilience, as I know that scientific research takes place over extended periods of time and that patience is needed when challenged with trying to find new discoveries .

    Furthermore, I want to develop analytical skills to understand what the findings of research means and how relevant they are to what is being studied. For example, during the placement, I can think about what specific information found about the virus is useful for designing a vaccine .  

  • The student lists three different skills in this answer (lab skills, resilience, analytical skills).

  • The student explains the relevance of these skills to the work environment, and how the work experience placement would help them to develop these particular skills.

  • The student also finally gives an example of how the skills can be used in this particular placement.

  • Non lab-based placement

    First, take a look at the job description.

    Media, Digital and Policy

    The Crick's External Affairs team is responsible for media relations, policy and public affairs, as well as the institute's digital platforms.
     
    The press office manages and promotes the Crick's media profile and reputation. They help to maximise the impact of scientific publications and position the Crick as trusted, credible and bold voice on issues affecting science.

    The Policy and Public Affairs team is the Crick's link to people developing the policy and regulation that shapes the environment in which science happens. They focus on issues that could affect the Crick from immigration to research and development (R&D) funding, and welcome politicians to the building.

    The Digital team manages the website and internal site. They also keep external audiences up to date via a number of social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. 

    Desirable qualities of the successful student 

    • Good attention to detail 
    • Proactive 
    • Inquisitive
    • Team player 
    • Well presented
       

    Application

    And now, compare it to at the application that the student sent in.

    Why have you applied for this placement at the Crick and what do you hope to do in the future? 

    I applied for this placement because I have an interest in media and modern day politics. For my GCSEs I chose to study Citizenship and Media because I noticed how much I enjoyed learning through it.

    Studying these two subjects had made me want work or study in a field that includes these subjects.

    In the future I would like to study criminal law, forensic psychology or criminology. I think therefore that the skills and knowledge I could gain through this placement, especially in learning about the politics side of the Crick e.g immigration, would really benefit me in preparing for my future course.
     

    What did they do well?

  • Here the student refers to details of the placement from the job description directly.

  • They also show genuine interest in the topic of the placement.

  • They then go into their hopes for the future after exploring their reasons for applying, therefore making sure they’re tackling both parts of the question.

  • They link specific skills from the job description to what they want to do in the future.

  • What skills or qualities do you have that would be useful for the work experience placement you have applied for, and why? 

    A few students from my school and I had taken part in activities with British Land that centre around ensuring the comfort and accessibility of residential areas to immigrants and locals alike, which had developed my critical thinking skills as well as my ability to work in a team with others.

    I think these skills would be useful for the placement because team work is key when working with lots of different people across the Crick, and when it comes to politics, critical thinking skills are really important to evaluate the information you are given. 
     

  • The student immediately referenced an example of a time when they developed skills.

  • The student mentions one skill that isn’t listed on the job description (but is relevant)

  • And one skill that is listed on the job description.

  • The student makes sure they answer the ‘and why?’ bit of the question, explaining fully why these two skills will be important to have during the placement.

  • What skills or qualities are you looking to develop during a placement at the Crick? How do you feel the work experience placement would help you develop these? 

    I believe the Francis Crick will most definitely teach me the necessary expertise I need for future education and jobs in the political pathway, and even beyond that.

    Hopefully, a placement like this one can help refine my problem-solving abilities, as public image is something that is not set in stone and constantly changes, meaning that those within this placement will have to prepare for obstacles and hardships with the media.

    I am also looking to develop my public speaking skills, which I feel this placement will help me to do as I will have to present my work to my Supervisor. This is something I am looking to develop because a lawyer needs to speak confidently in a courtroom. This skill will also be beneficial in my upcoming years of college and university. 

  • The student mentioned two specific skills they are looking to develop, their problem solving and public speaking skills.

  • The student explains why they think this placement will help them to develop this specific skill.

  • The student also explains exactly why they would like to develop this skill personally, linking it back to their future ambitions.