Sourcing your experience

Depending on your program, you may be required to source your own placement. By doing so, you can tailor your placement to fit your career plans and interests.

Begin looking for opportunities a few months before you plan to start your placement, as finding a host can take time. The Careers Service can assist you with finding and applying for placement opportunities. Once you’ve found a placement host, you’ll need to confirm with your Course or Placement Coordinator that the experience is suitable before proceeding.

1. Check your study area requirements

View your study area requirements to see if you are eligible to source your own placement. If you’re still unsure what the placement requirements are for your program, refer to your program handbook and Program Planner, or contact Program Advice.

2. Identify your skills, interests and goals

Once you understand the requirements of your career-ready placement experience, the next step is to prepare yourself to connect with employers. Some organisations will require you to apply for opportunities. You may be asked to submit a resume, cover letter, and possibly attend an interview.

Before reaching out to employers, take the time to identify the industries and organisations that align with your aspirations. Reflect on what you enjoy, what you are good at, and what you want to achieve in your career. This clarity will guide your research and help you find a placement that is both fulfilling and relevant to your future plans.

Tip

Having a clear understanding of your skills, interests, and career goals will focus your placement search and make it more efficient. This self-awareness will also help you effectively convey your motivation and suitability when interacting with potential placement hosts.

3. Look for placement opportunities

Finding a host can take time, so begin looking for opportunities a few months before you plan to start your placement. Aim to find a host organisation related to your field of interest. Being confident and well-prepared is essential when approaching potential employers. As a student, you aren’t expected to know everything, but doing preliminary research, maintaining a positive attitude, and taking initiative will go a long way. Try to find the best contact person in the organisation and approach them directly.

Research

Identify organisations and opportunities within your field of interest using various resources, including online job boards, company websites, social media, networking platforms, and University resources.

Research organisation websites for job and placement details and find relevant contacts. The “hidden job market”, which includes opportunities not advertised publicly, can often be accessed through networking and direct connections. Therefore, it's beneficial to reach out to people within these organisations.

Explore placement options through resources like expos and industry events, job boards (including CareerHub), LinkedIn, Google, and industry-specific job search websites. Use filters and job alerts for internships, placements or graduate programs for efficient job board use.

Organise your search by allocating dedicated time to make it as efficient as possible. Use the Prospective Host Tracker(19.4KB, Excel) to list 5-10 organisations or contacts, streamline your search, track your outreach, and refine your shortlist as you gain insights into each company. Stay informed about hidden job market opportunities by actively networking, following up on contacts, and continuously refining your list on the Prospective Host Tracker to prioritise your best placement options.

Resources:

Networking

Networking involves building relationships with people who can offer support, advice, or opportunities in your career or personal growth. This includes friends, family, university peers, work colleagues, and community members. To increase your chances of finding the right placement host:

  • Consider who you already know. Your current network may provide valuable information, introductions, or referrals to help you explore or advance in your field of interest.
  • Reach out to your current network and note who you can approach for information, introductions, or referrals connected to your industry of interest.
  • Join a relevant professional association to access useful industry-specific resources and expand your professional network. Discounted or free student membership is often available.
  • Attend industry-related events through student clubs and societies, employer expos and talks on campus. You can also participate in events organised by professional associations or those advertised on platforms like LinkedIn.
  • Leverage social media by posting a call to action within your network. Share your interests and career goals and ask for advice or leads on potential placement opportunities.
  • Use LinkedIn to connect with University of Newcastle alumni and other professionals in your field. This will help you expand your network, identify potential placement hosts, discover placement opportunities, and gain valuable industry insights.
Resources:

    Tips

    • You may be able to complete your placement overseas. Check out the opportunities available by visiting the Global Experience Portal.
    • An informational interview (303KB, PDF) is a conversation with someone already working in a role or industry that interests you. It's a great opportunity to learn about specific job types, gain insights into an industry or company, and inquire about potential placement opportunities.
    4. Prepare your application

    Once you have a clear understanding of your career goals, it's time to prepare your application materials as some organisations will require you to apply for opportunities. You may be asked to submit a resume, cover letter, address selection criteria, and possibly attend an interview.

    Resume

    A resume is a concise summary of your education, employment history, skills, and experiences. It is used to promote your suitability for employment opportunities. It is good professional practice to provide your resume to potential placement hosts. Creating a resume may also be a requirement of your placement course. Make sure to tailor your resume for each placement opportunity to showcase your suitability.

    Resources:
    • How to write a resume (video, 4mins 33 secs): Learn how to start putting your resume together.
    • Resume Builder (online tool): Create your resume quickly and easily with this tool.
    • Resume Information Sheet (266KB, PDF) and Resume Checklist (268KB, PDFs): Use these resources to ensure you have covered all the important parts of your resume.
    • Resume Reviewer (online tool): Score your resume against 50+ checks with this AI-generated tool.
    • Sample Resumes (website - click on the 'Resumes' heading): Check out these templates for ideas on how to personalise your resume.
    Cover letter

    A cover letter is a one-page document, usually submitted either as part of a job application or as a standalone document with expresses your interest in potential opportunities. It should set a positive first impression, introduce you professionally, and show your interest in the role and the value you can bring to the organisation. Prepare a cover letter that you can customise for different opportunities, ensuring it highlights how your skills and experiences are relevant to each position.

    Resources:

    Example Cover Letter

    This is a general example of a cover letter for seeking placement opportunities. Personalise it to highlight your unique qualities and include specific examples of your skills, experience, and achievements to demonstrate how you can contribute to the organisation.

    Re. Placement opportunities [use terminology relevant for your discipline]

    Dear [insert hiring manager/decision maker’s name]

    I am a final year [insert discipline] student at the University of Newcastle. I am seeking opportunities to complete the placement component of my degree [insert relevant terminology for your discipline]. All associated insurance requirements are covered by the University. I am contacting you because [insert reason for contacting e.g. referred by mutual contact; met at an Expo; connected on LinkedIn; follow their research; use their products etc.].

    From my research into [insert company name], I understand that you specialise in [insert company focus/ specialty]. My interest areas are [insert relevant interests] and I have relevant skills such as [insert skills] which align with your organisation’s focus. I am very interested in undertaking placement at [insert company name] because [insert reasons you have specifically targeted this company and connect to your own goals. Insert interesting and relevant professional points of interest and/or specific examples e.g. did very well in a related course; experience].

    I would appreciate the chance to discuss potential placement opportunities and how I can contribute to your team. I have attached my resume which provides details of my skills and experience. I can be contacted via [insert email address] and [insert phone number]. Thank you for your consideration.

    Yours sincerely

    [insert name]

    Statement addressing selection criteria

    Selection criteria are the key qualifications, skills, personal attributes, and experience employers look for in candidates. Some applications will require you to submit a statement addressing the criteria, allowing you to demonstrate how you meet the employer's needs. Addressing selection criteria may also be a requirement of your placement course.

    Resources:
    LinkedIn

    Create or update your LinkedIn profile to build your network and source industry-specific news, career stories, and expert advice. You can find potential placement hosts and use the platform to continue to expand your connections once during and after your placement.

    Resources:

    Interviews

    Preparing for interviews is essential for making a positive impression on potential host supervisors. They provide you the opportunity to convey what you can offer, express your interest in the organisation, and share your placement goals. Be ready to discuss relevant examples of your skills and achievements. Even if a formal interview is not required, an initial professional conversation will likely be necessary. Preparing for this will help you present yourself confidently and professionally.

    Resources:

    Tip

    The Careers Service offer drop-in and appointment-based resume and application checking, plus an interview preparation service. You can also receive feedback on your draft application documents online.

    5. Apply for placement opportunities

    When applying for placement opportunities, it's important to understand what you can offer, identify the right contacts, and tailor your application. Make sure your outreach is impactful by presenting yourself professionally to potential host organisations. You can do this in the following ways:

    • Know what you can offer by making sure you understand your placement course learning outcomes and the number of hours you can commit to a placement. Reflect on your key skills, technical expertise, and relevant experience that may benefit the organisation.
    • Identify the contact person for each company on your Prospective Host list. This could be a manager, project lead, or someone in a hiring capacity (e.g., Human Resources, Hiring Manager, Recruitment Specialist, Talent Acquisition). You can find their information through the company website, LinkedIn, or by leveraging your existing networks. Aim to connect directly with the person responsible for student placements or hiring.
    • Tailor your resume and cover letter for each application. Customise your cover letter to express your interest in the specific opportunity, emphasising your enthusiasm, relevant skills, and experience that align with the company's work. Highlight how your background and learning outcomes match the organisation's goals. Update your resume to reflect your suitability for the specific placement.
    • Share supporting information with hosts. When sourcing your career-ready placement experience, you may be asked some questions from your host supervisor about their requirements, roles, and responsibilities. You can refer employers to the Career-ready placements for Industry page to aid those discussions and ensure they understand their commitment.
    • Professionalism is key. Treat your outreach as an important step in your professional career. Review your social media profiles, voicemail message, and email address to ensure they reflect your professionalism. Maintain a polite and respectful tone during all communications and interactions, including phone calls, emails, and in-person engagements. Demonstrate genuine interest in the organisation and its projects. This initial impression can set the stage for a positive and productive placement experience.
    Resources:
    • Email Introduction Guide (208KB, PDF): Get tips on composing an introductory email to a prospective employer when reaching out for the first time.
    • Refer also to the cover letter and resume resources under Step 4.

    Tip

    Understand your skills and placement requirements. Identify the appropriate contact person, and craft a tailored, professional application that showcases your enthusiasm and alignment with the organisation's work. If you're unsuccessful, stay positive, thank them for their time, seek feedback, and use it to refine your approach for future opportunities.

    6. Get approval to proceed with your placement

    Once you’ve found a placement host, confirm with the Course or Placement Coordinator that the experience is suitable before proceeding. Refer to your course Canvas site for instructions. For more information, contact the Course or Placement Coordinator - their details are available on your course Canvas site.

    Explore job vacancies in CareerHub

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    Access application and interview resources

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    Get feedback on your draft applications

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