The experience of Job Shadowing?

Work experience..how can I go about it?

• First of all, I don't even know the difference between work experience and work placement. Are they the same thing? If not, is either one the same as job shadowing? The problem is I live in the Middle East in a country where the chances of going for work experience are really low. Teenagers can't get a job here because they're all full time (no summer jobs or part time jobs). My school did get a few spaces at particular places, but they filled up so quickly and only one was relevant to what I wanted to do. I put my name down second and I think they should've dealt with it as a first come first serve sort of thing but they didn't..we had to write about half a page about why we'd be suitable. There are only 3 places and about 10 people or so applied for it. If I don't get this, I've got a problem. How can I go about it independently? Also, how does one prove they've gone for work experience? Letter from the company (or in my case, clinic)? I'm doing volunteer work, but I really need this as well. Also, what sort of stuff would I be asked to do? Just stand, watch and get a feel of what everyday is like or do simple tasks like file things and make tea (even though they've got people to do both..I'd pretty much be a nuisance, so you can see my dilemma). I need help. It's just not so straightforward here. I'll ask my teacher as well, but I thought I'd post a question here too.

• Answer:

  Work experience means exactly what it sounds like. You have previously worked in a job and your time in that job gave you experience that you can take to a similar job - that way you won;t have to start learning from the beginning. Placement means that someone will place you in that job. "Teenagers can't get a job here because they're all full time (no summer jobs or part time jobs)." High unemployment may make it difficult for everybody. "only one was relevant to what I wanted to do" You may need to broaden your job seeking. "I think they should've dealt with it as a first come first serve sort of thing but they didn't" Why would they do that? You said that they asked you to make a personal statement - obviously they weren't going 1st come first served. Nor should they. Employers want the best and most motivated they can find - not just the "first horse out of the gate". "How can I go about it independently?" Go about what? You have said nothing about the field you are looking for.