Work placements (also called work experience or internships) are a powerful stepping stone from school to the workforce. For many young people – including those with disability – a placement is where confidence grows and real job skills develop. Any real-world exposure, even if unpaid, boosts your chances of landing a paid job later. To make the most of this opportunity, you need to treat the placement as a professional chance: prepare carefully, focus on learning, and follow up thoughtfully. At Next Gen Youth Employment, we help young people do just that through our SLES program and coaching. In this article, we’ll share step-by-step tips on preparing for your placement, making a great impression during it, reflecting afterwards, and turning that experience into a paid position. We’ll also show how Next Gen can support you along the way.

Before the Placement: Preparation and Mindset

Getting ready well before Day One sets the stage for success. Start by researching the company and role: know what they do, who their clients are, and what tasks you’ll be doing. If your placement is arranged through school or Next Gen, review any materials they give you about the host employer. If you found the opportunity yourself, ask the coordinator or supervisor for details. Writing down clear expectations and goals for the placement helps – this could be in a notebook or on your phone. For example, decide what skills you want to learn (communication, teamwork, cash handling, etc.) and how you hope to contribute (greeting customers, filing documents, supporting a team member). Next Gen coaches encourage participants to treat a placement like a trial job: you’ll be learning, but you should still show up as if you were already on the payroll.

Also prepare personally: gather any paperwork or clothing needed for the first day. If the host employer has provided an orientation guide, read it thoroughly and note any questions you have. Talk with your Next Gen youth coach or a teacher about any workplace supports you might need (for example, accessible equipment or communication aids) and how to ask for them. The aim is to arrive on Day One ready to impress: a bit of nervousness is normal, but showing up on time with a positive attitude will start you off strong.

During the Placement: Focus on Learning and Professionalism

How you act every day of the placement will shape your outcome. Treat it as if it were a real job – be punctual, reliable and eager. Check in with your supervisor on arrival each morning (for instance, “Good morning, I’m here for my placement. How can I help today?”). Always follow workplace rules (such as uniform, safety and internet use policies) as you were instructed. Complete the tasks assigned to you, even if they seem small or boring – this shows humility and a willingness to learn. For example, Youth Central advises that during work experience you should “do the work your supervisor asks you to, observe the policies of your workplace (e.g., privacy), be polite and respectful, [and] be prepared to do some general, boring work (but don’t be scared to ask to do more complex tasks)”.

Ask questions and seek feedback: Don’t wait until the end of the day if you’re unsure – asking good questions shows curiosity and initiative. You might ask “Could you show me how this machine works?” or “What’s the expected outcome of this task?”. Be respectful and note down answers so you can remember later. Youth Central also suggests meeting regularly with your supervisor about how things are going. Treat them as a mentor: let them know you’re eager to learn. If you finish a task quickly, offer to help someone else or ask if you can take on additional responsibilities.

Build professional habits: Use this time to develop strong work habits. This includes arriving on time (plan to come early so you’re never rushing), dressing neatly, and keeping a positive attitude. Reliability is huge – it tells employers you can be trusted. Next Gen’s guidance emphasizes showing reliability and “good work habits” so that supervisors remember you as someone who is punctual and committed. If you foresee being late or absent for a justified reason, let the supervisor know in advance (call or text as per their preference). Keep a small notebook or use notes on your phone to jot down what you learn each day – tasks you did, new skills, and any positive feedback from colleagues.

Be a team player: Introduce yourself to colleagues and say thank you when someone helps you. Participate in team meetings or lunch if invited, even if it’s just observing at first. This is about networking and showing you fit the team culture. Remember the Youth Central tip: “go to as many meetings and events as you can” at the placement. Also, find a workplace mentor – someone more experienced who can answer questions or show you the ropes, as suggested by Youth Central.

Turning Daily Placement Tasks Into Real Employment Opportunities

One of the most important things to remember about a work placement is that it is not only about completing tasks — it is about showing employers the kind of worker you can become. Many employers use placements as an informal trial to see how a young person approaches responsibility, communicates with others, and adapts to a real workplace environment. That means every small action during your placement can help you turn work experience into a job later on. For school leavers with disability, this opportunity can be especially valuable because it allows employers to see your strengths, reliability, and attitude first-hand rather than relying only on a resume.

At Next Gen Youth Employment, we regularly see employers change their perception of a participant after watching them work during a placement. Someone who might have felt nervous or unsure at the beginning often grows in confidence quickly once they understand the routine of the workplace. This is why preparation, consistency and reflection are so important. A placement becomes part of your school leaver work experience employment pathway, helping you move step-by-step from learning environments into real jobs. One of the best work placement tips for disability employment is to treat every day as a chance to build trust with the team around you.

That means arriving on time, following instructions carefully, asking questions when something is unclear, and showing initiative when you finish a task. Employers notice when someone takes pride in their work, even if the task seems simple. For example, if you are helping organise stock in a retail store, greeting customers at the door, preparing ingredients in a kitchen, or assisting with office tasks, these everyday responsibilities demonstrate key workplace skills such as attention to detail, teamwork, time management and communication. Over time, supervisors begin to see that you are someone they can rely on. That reliability is often what transforms a short placement into a longer opportunity or even paid employment. Another important step in this process is learning how to get a reference after work experience, because a positive reference can significantly strengthen your future job applications.

Towards the end of your placement, it is perfectly appropriate to ask your supervisor for feedback about your performance and whether they would feel comfortable acting as a referee for you in future job applications. Many employers are happy to provide a short reference or allow you to list them as a contact because they have seen your work ethic and attitude.

At Next Gen Youth Employment, we encourage participants to have these conversations confidently and respectfully, and our coaches can help you practise what to say if you feel unsure. In fact, part of our School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) approach is helping young people reflect on what they have learned during placements so they can communicate those experiences clearly when applying for jobs. For instance, instead of simply saying you completed a work placement, you might explain that you assisted customers, followed safety procedures, worked as part of a team, or helped maintain a tidy workspace.

These examples show employers that you already understand workplace expectations. Building these small experiences into a story about your growth can make a big difference when applying for entry-level roles. Through the guidance and support of Next Gen Youth Employment, young people are able to gain practical experience, understand workplace culture, and build the confidence needed to take the next step towards paid work.

Placements are not just about trying a job for a few days or weeks — they are about discovering your strengths, building professional relationships, and creating opportunities that might not have existed before. When you approach work experience with curiosity, effort and a willingness to learn, you are already moving closer to turning that opportunity into real employment.

After the Placement: Feedback, Reflection and References

When the placement ends, take deliberate steps to turn it into future opportunities. First, ask for feedback on your performance. You could say to your supervisor or mentor: “I really enjoyed this placement. Could you tell me what I did well and what I could improve?” This shows maturity and readiness to grow, as Next Gen advises for converting placements into jobs. Listening to their feedback not only gives you insights but also leaves a good impression that you care about doing well.

Next, express your gratitude and interest. Write a brief thank-you email or card to your host (as Youth Central advises). Mention one or two things you appreciated (for example, learning a new skill or enjoying the team) and say “I appreciated the chance to learn from your team”. This reinforces the connection. In your thank-you note, you can also subtly indicate your interest: e.g., “I am really interested in this type of work and would love to keep in touch.” Keeping the tone positive and polite is key. For instance, Youth Central recommends thanking your employer and outlining what you got out of the placement.

Don’t forget to collect a reference. Ideally, before you finish, ask your supervisor if they would be willing to act as a referee or write a short reference for your resume. As Next Gen’s guide notes, a brief positive statement from a supervisor — something like “John was reliable, hardworking, and learned quickly” — can carry a lot of weight for future job applications. You could ask in person: “Would you feel comfortable being listed as a reference for me in future job applications?” Most supervisors will agree, especially if you’ve shown enthusiasm and competence. If they hesitate, ask if you can at least quote part of their feedback (for example: “They said I was punctual and great with customers, would it be okay to share that feedback with future employers?”). If they agree, be sure to thank them again.

Reflect on your experience: Take time to write down what you learned and what you enjoyed. Make a short list of tasks you did and skills you used. This will help later when updating your resume and preparing for interviews. For example, did you manage the cash register, assist customers, or improve a process? With those notes, you can update your resume to show specific accomplishments — not just duties. Next Gen suggests writing accomplishments rather than duties: instead of “Worked at Café”, say “Handled transactions and collaborated with a 5-person team at XYZ Café”. This makes your placement sound like real experience. Remember to emphasize positive outcomes: “praised for attention to detail” or “completed tasks ahead of schedule” if applicable.

Keep any evaluation or notes from the host. For instance, if they gave you a feedback form or a supervisor evaluation, make a copy (digital photo is fine) and file it with your job search documents. Youth Central recommends keeping a copy of your employer’s evaluation for future use. These can help with writing your resume or when you discuss your experience in interviews.

Updating Your Resume and Showcasing Skills

Once you have clear achievements from the placement, integrate them into your resume and cover letter. Highlight relevant skills: use bullet points like “Delivered exceptional customer service as part of a retail team” or “Created and maintained detailed logs of daily tasks”. Emphasize transferable skills like teamwork, communication and problem-solving. For example, if you asked and learned to operate machinery, write “learned and safely operated [machine/tool name] under supervision, maintaining accuracy and efficiency.” Next Gen specifically recommends using strong action verbs and results: e.g. “Developed customer service skills, handled transactions, and contributed to a 5-person team” instead of just saying you volunteered at a cafe.

If the placement gave you any formal certificates or training (for instance, a safety induction certificate, First Aid, etc.), list those in an “Education or Training” section. Also, in your cover letter you can mention what the placement taught you about your chosen field and why it confirmed your career interest. For example, “My placement confirmed that I enjoy fast-paced work and customer service, and I’m eager to apply these skills in your company.”

When you talk to future employers, use stories from your placement. Next Gen advises framing answers with specific examples (the STAR method). For instance, if asked “Tell me about a time you worked in a team”, you could say “In my placement at [company], I collaborated with colleagues to restock inventory during a busy sale. My action was to coordinate with two teammates to organize stock supplies, and the result was we reduced checkout wait times by 20%.” Using concrete stories shows you have practical experience. Next Gen highlights that real examples from work placements make you stand out compared to others who only have classroom experience.

Networking and Follow-Up Opportunities

Your placement can jump-start your professional network. Stay in touch with the people you met. This could be as simple as connecting on LinkedIn (with their permission) or sending a follow-up email a few weeks later. For example, Next Gen suggests a “polite check-in email” after some time, to remind them of you and express continued interest. You might write, “Hello [Name], it’s [Your Name] from [Placement]. I hope you’re well. I really enjoyed my placement with your team learning [skill/task]. I’m still very interested in this field and wondered if you had any advice or openings coming up.” Keeping in touch shows professionalism and keeps you on their radar.

Ask your new contacts if they know about any job openings, either at the organisation or elsewhere. As Next Gen notes, personal networks often lead to unadvertised jobs. For example, a supervisor might refer you to a colleague who’s hiring, or a co-worker might suggest another company. Even if no jobs are immediately available, they may introduce you to someone else. Remember: many jobs are filled through referrals, so maintaining relationships is key.

If your placement went extremely well, don’t be afraid to express direct interest in working there. You could say to your supervisor, “I really enjoyed working with your team. If any positions become available, I’d be very interested in applying.” This is a bold move, but it can work: Next Gen advises being upfront (tactfully) with employers that you loved the work and would like to stay on. Even if the timing isn’t right, they might remember and consider you for the next opening.

Proactive Steps to Convert Experience into a Job

Turning a placement into paid work often comes down to being proactive and professional. Here are some actionable steps (many recommended by both Youth Central and Next Gen):

• Ask for a reference early: While still on placement, identify at least one person (supervisor or mentor) who is willing to vouch for you. After you finish, send a follow-up email asking if you can use them as a referee and provide updated contact info. As a guide suggests, references from people who saw your work “first-hand” can tilt the scales in your favour.

• Express your interest in future roles: Let the employer know you’re open to opportunities. This doesn’t have to be pushy – a simple note of appreciation and an expression of interest can suffice. Employers often prefer hiring people they know have already learned about their company culture.

• Use support services: If you feel stuck, remember help is available. Next Gen Youth Employment offers interview preparation and job search coaching after placements. Disability Employment Services (DES) and other mentoring programs can also assist in turning experiences into jobs. Don’t hesitate to ask a Next Gen coach for help in drafting emails, practicing conversations, or exploring traineeship programs.

• Stay in touch with your school or program: If your placement was arranged through school or an SLES provider, let your coordinator know how it went. They might have other leads or advice. Sometimes schools have connections with local businesses and can recommend you for part-time work or further training.

Next Gen Youth Employment Can Help

Next Gen Youth Employment specialises in guiding school leavers with disability into jobs. We understand the bridge between an unpaid placement and a paid position. Through our SLES program, we provide tailored support: helping you plan and prepare for placements, accompanying you if needed, and coaching you on professional skills. After your placement, our coaches work with you on turning that experience into job-ready credentials – from crafting your resume and cover letter to practising interviews and networking.

We collaborate with inclusive employers around Melbourne and across Victoria who are open to hiring young people with disability. Some even develop job roles around the strengths they see in their interns and work experience students (known as “job carving”). At Next Gen, we communicate with these employers on your behalf and can highlight the valuable experience you’ve already gained.

If you have questions like “How do I ask for feedback?” or “What should I include on my resume from my placement?”, our team is here to support you step by step. We can even help negotiate reasonable workplace adjustments or support you in a trial shift. Because Next Gen’s mission is to unlock your potential, we go beyond just placements: we assist with interview preparation and can connect you with training or traineeships that match your interests.

Ready to take the next step? Contact Next Gen Youth Employment for one-on-one advice and support. Call us at 0399 683 021 or email info@nextgenye.com.au. You can also visit our Contact page for more information. We’re based in Campbellfield, Victoria, and our team is experienced in helping young Australians with disability move from placements into meaningful work. Remember, the skills and professionalism you show in your work experience can open doors – and Next Gen is here to help you walk through them.