Work shadowing

Work shadowing is an informal type of work experience where you observe someone in their role to understand how they do their job.

It is usually short term (a few days at most) and unpaid. It aims to provide an insight rather than hands on experience. This can be useful experience to gain in careers where few formal internships exist, or where the role is not one an intern or placement student can do with their level of experience, e.g. shadowing a solicitor. Some roles require applicants to have done some shadowing prior to making an application (e.g. medical sales) and some postgraduate courses too, especially in health areas.

Work shadowing is usually arranged through speculative applications. You should have a clear idea of the type of organisation you wish to work for and the type of role you are interested in observing. The best idea is to start with a small request, such as one day, then see if you can extend this to a few days helping out at the organisation on an unpaid basis.

Tips for work shadowing

The Prospects site contains practical advice on how to make the most of shadowing, but we also recommend the following:

Before

  • Research the career area and the company, as if you were preparing for a job interview. Use this research to identify what you want to gain from the experience and where you have questions.
  • LinkedIn is a good way to find out more about the people who work there and the experience they have.

During

  • Dress to fit in with the work environment; if you are unsure – ask in advance!
  • Be an active observer – make notes and (when appropriate) ask questions.
  • Make a note of the names of the people you meet.

After

  • Follow up with a thank you email, even if the shadowing confirmed that the work area was not for you. You could also invite them to connect with you on LinkedIn.
  • Reflect back on what you learned. If it confirmed your interest, what step do you plan to take next?
  • How will you share your experience with others… on your CV, your LinkedIn profile… or in a blog post?
  • Did it highlight any gaps in your skills and experience – how can you address these? Our Skills Development Toolkit is a useful tool to assess your skills and provides suggestions on how to develop them further.

Alternatives to work shadowing

  • Behind Manchester’s Doors A chance for first year students to visit organisations in Manchester to find out more about their work and meet people who work there.
  • Recruiters sometimes offer insight or open days for students – look for these on CareerConnect and on an organisation’s own recruitment pages.
  • Recruiter in Residence which takes place on campus during semester time is an informal opportunity to chat with people working for a variety of organisations.
  • Taster days are common for professions like teaching.