How To Find Work Experience Over The Holiday Break
- Dickson Wong
- May 21
- 6 min read
Well the holiday breaks are nearly here. For some students, holidays mean travelling or enjoying other hobbies. And for some, it’s time to finally make a start on the assignment that was due a month ago or maybe just pretend deadlines are not even real. But if you’re reading this blog, you’re thinking about something more valuable, which is: How can I use this time to gain work experience? How can I use the holiday to do something that will actually help me in the future? And that’s a good question. Because here’s the thing—your degree alone will not be enough to land your dream job.
So today, I’m going to share five essential tips on how you can find work experience over the holiday break. These strategies will help you build your skills, expand your network, and set yourself up for success. So let’s get started.
1.Find a Part Time Job
A part-time job can be one of the best ways to build real-world experience. It might not always seem glamorous, but even jobs in retail, hospitality, or catering teach you valuable transferable skills that employers seek. For example, if you waitering in a restaurant, you’re learning customer service, time management, and working under pressure. If you work as a sales assistant in a shop, you’re learning problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills. And these skills are commonly what employers value no matter what industry you end up at.
But what if you want something more closely related to your field? Many companies hire temporary staff over the holidays. Whether it’s a receptionist role in an office, an assistant in a marketing department, or a short-term admin position in a charity, you would be pleasantly surprised at the opportunities available if you just look around.
They key is to take risks - do not be afraid to walk into businesses and introduce yourself. What’s the worst that can happen? The worst they can say is ‘no’, but then at least you’re developed up your resilience and risk-taking skills. And if they said ‘yes’ then great! And who knows, maybe that short-term job can open doors to longer term opportunities further down the line.
2. Get in Touch With Your Contacts
While some opportunities are openly advertised, others happen through connections, word-of-mouth, and simply knowing the right people. And the thing is - we have all connection. Your family, friends, classmates, lecturers, previous employers, former colleagues, Tommy who lives down the road, can all be part of your network. The point is you know a lot more people than you think and the trick is to reach out and let them know you are looking for work experience.
From the list above, I’d recommend starting with those who are professionals at or close to the field that you’re interested in. For example, university lecturers tend to have industry contacts due to the nature of their job. Entrepreneurships who own small businesses are also likely to be useful, as they often could use some extra help over the holidays and have some degrees of control over the recruitment process. In the worst case when none of these strategies yield any results, create a list of companies that you would like to do work experience for, and send them emails or reach out to key personnel on Linkedln. All of these actions have no downside financially but all the upside if one, just one is willing to give you an opportunity.
So do not be afraid to ask because some opportunities are not supposed to be found on your own.
3. Apply for Internships
Internships are like the golden ticket to work experience. They give you hands-on exposure to your industry, help you build your CV, and sometimes lead to full-time job offers in the future. Which is why the application process for internships are so competitive since many apply for the same exact positions. So, how can you stand out from the rest?
First, apply early. Many companies post internship opportunities months in advance so if you want to secure the best internships over the holiday break, get your CV ready, start researching early and apply widely. Ideally, you should begin looking at least three to six months before the break begins. Some major companies have structured internship programs with strict deadlines, while smaller businesses might be more flexible—but either way, the earlier you apply, the better your chances.
Second, be strategic, that means do not just apply to big-name companies. While interning at a big tech company or an investment bank can help you gain recognition and impress future employers, smaller companies often provide more hands-on experience, less competition, and a greater chance to make a real impact. So think about what kind of experience you want, what skills you hope to gain, and what industries interest you the most. Being intentional about where you apply will not only save you time but also increase your chances of landing an internship that’s a good fit for you.
Third, customise your CV and cover letter. If you are sending out the same generic application to every company, you are doing it wrong. Do you that employers spend on average 30 seconds or less looking at a CV before deciding whether to keep reading or move on? If your CV does not grab their attention immediately, it is going into the trash. That is why your it needs to be clear, concise, and tailored to the position you are applying for.
A common mistake applicants make is listing every single thing they have ever done. But as I just said, employers do not have time to read a bedtime story. Instead, focus on the most relevant experiences and skills that make you a strong candidate for the internship. For example, if you’re applying for a marketing internship, don’t just say, “I’m a hardworking student with a passion for marketing.” Show them real examples of what you’ve done and what you have accomplished previously. Did you create content for a Youtube channel and grew the account to tens of thousands of subscribers? That’s tangible achievements and the kind of experience that will make you stand out.
And then there’s your cover letter which is your chance to tell a story. Instead of just talking about your CV, use your cover letter to explain why you are interested in their company, what skills you bring, and how you can contribute. A great cover letter should feel personal, engaging, and specific to the company you’re applying to.
4. Volunteer
Volunteering is a fantastic way to get work experience, give something back to the community and try out new things. Charities, student organisations and small enterprises are always on the look for volunteers but there are actually volunteer opportunities in almost every field. For example, if you are studying medicine or healthcare, volunteer at a hospital or community health organisation; if you are in law, see if a legal clinic needs extra hands; if you are in education, tutor students or help out at a local school. The key is to find something that aligns with your interests and career goals. Even if the role is not directly related to your major, the skills you gain will be transferable.
Although volunteering is dismissed by many because it does not come with a paycheck, I’d argue that the experience you gain does not have to be paid to be valuable. Volunteering can teach you leadership, problem-solving, and industry-specific skills, which are all things that look great on your CV and filled in the gaps that were previously vacant.
5. Shadowing
In the worst case that all the above fails, you could try approaching companies and see if you could shadow an employee. Providing work experience requires considerable effort from companies in creating a programme and having staff to manage it. Not all companies have the resources to do this so shadowing an employee may be a more realistic alternative.
Whether you spend a day shadowing a GP diagnose symptoms and discuss treatment plans, visiting a TV station to see how a reporter investigate stories and conduct interviews under tight deadlines, sit next to an architect to see how they design blueprints and calculate dimensions. Watching and learning are valuable experiences as they give you insider knowledge on how the industry works, help you build relationships with the shadowee who might mentor you in the future, and confirms whether this is the right path for your career, and if so, which area of the field you would like to specialise in.
Finding work experience over the holiday break is well worth it. A part-time job teaches valuable skills. Your network can open unexpected doors. Internships give you hands-on industry experience. Volunteering builds character and connections. And shadowing professionals helps you watch and learn. The key is to start early, be proactive, and take every opportunity you can. Because the work you put in now could shape your future in ways you never imagined.
Are you ready to unleash your full potential through consistent practice? The choice is yours, and the possibilities are endless. Start today and pave the way for a brighter academic future! Stay Connected with Dickson!
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