Step Five: Approaching an Employer

Making first contact with an employer is your opportunity to make a positive impression. It is a good idea to contact more than one employer.

Family or friends or school

If your placement has been set up by a family member or through your school, you may already know who to contact, but it is always a good idea to check.

Either ask for the person who has set up the placement to introduce you or to pass on the right contact details. Then follow this up with an email introducing yourself, setting out some information about yourself and asking for more details about the placement.

Formal processes

If there is a formal process in place, they are likely to have information on their website on how to apply. This will usually involve submitting a CV or completing an application form.

Direct contact

If you want to contact an employer you are interested in, you will need to find the right person to speak to. A good tip is to contact their general enquiries email or telephone number or look at their website in the ‘About Us’ or ‘Who We Are’ section and identifying someone to contact from what they say about their role.

Telling employers that you are blind or partially sighted

You don’t have to ‘disclose’ your disability, however we would encourage you to do so as early in the process as possible. This will allow you, the employer and the school time to set up any support you may need to carry out the work placement. You can read more about disclosing here.

 

Top tip: It is important to remember who you have contacted. Make a note of the date you made contact so that you can follow up if you don’t hear anything back within 10 working days.

Useful resources

Download our work experience template letter to send to potential employers. It is a good idea to adapt the letter and send it via email.

Get the template here

Our employment resources provide tips and guidance on writing CVs, application forms and interview skills, check them out here.


Check out the other steps...

Step One: Narrowing Your Options

Find out the questions you need to ask yourself to help narrow your options and figure out what you want from your work experience.

Find out more about 'Step One: Narrowing Your Options'

Step Two: Exploring What Jobs You Could Do

Explore what jobs you could do as part of your work experience and find out what careers other blind and partially sighted people are doing.

Find out more about 'Step Two: Exploring What Jobs You Could Do'

Step Three: Choosing the Right Work Experience

Learn about the different types of work experience and which is the right one for you.

Find out more about 'Step Three: Choosing the Right Work Experience'

Step Four: Identifying an Employer

Find out about the different approaches you can take to finding your work experience opportunity.

Find out more about 'Step Four: Identifying an Employer'

Step Six: Getting the Right Support in Place

Find out what you need to do to make sure you have all the right support in place to make the most of your work experience.

Find out more about 'Step Six: Getting the Right Support in Place'

Step Seven: After Your Work Experience

Learn how to use what you have gained from your work experience to benefit you moving forward onto the next step of your education/career journey, don’t forget to grab the handy checklist!

Find out more about 'Step Seven: After Your Work Experience'
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