Getting Started with Placements - Ben's Story

For many students, getting applications for placement roles can be daunting. Not only are you adjusting to your second year of university, but you may feel a sense of urgency as many larger firms open their recruitment processes from September onwards.?

Rest assured, there is still plenty of time and a whole range of support available to you through the Careers and Employability Service including our upcoming Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair.?

To help you prepare, we chatted to Digital Marketing student, Ben Howell, about his experience of the recruitment process when securing his MX Channel Marketing placement at Samsung Electronics.

How did you approach your placement search??

To help get my placement search underway I initially focused on identifying my key skills and interests to start tailoring my CV for applications and researching companies and roles I would like to apply for. Once I had revamped my CV I went to the placements team and they provided lots of great advice on my CV, interview preparation and even positions they thought I may be interested in.?

Once I started the process of applying, I learnt to tailor my CV and cover letter to each company as this was very important to get past the initial screening stage.

What did the recruitment process for Samsung Electronics involve??

As part of my journey to secure my placement at Samsung, I had to complete various interviews and attend an assessment centre, which involved an individual presentation, an interview and a group exercise. I would really encourage students to reflect on each recruitment process they go through as it provides valuable insights into your strengths and areas for improvement for future experiences.

What did you have to do as part of the assessment centre?

At the start of the day, I had to present an idea about a certain service Samsung provides and how I would market it and grow it. I included personal experience I had with the brand in my pitch, which was visiting a pop-up experience back in 2022. I also demonstrated lots of experience I had developed over the course of my time working with Accommodation For Students and my degree.

Next was the formal interview, which offered an opportunity for me to discuss my experience, and skills, and answer their questions with relevant industry experience-backed answers. They asked me my motivations for wanting to work for the company, which I had prepared answers for, as well as some questions I had to think on my feet about, such as “If you had to pick a colour to describe yourself, what would you pick?”, which was a surprise!??

Finally, there was the group exercise. This was where I could showcase the skills I had mentioned in my interview and put them to practical use. I demonstrated very clear communication skills, raising new creative ideas to the task at hand, listening to ideas from others, providing constructive criticism and building upon their ideas to create a good group answer to the task.?

What would you advise students applying for placements this year??

Make sure you tailor your applications.?

Without a tailored CV or cover letter for each position and each company, you won’t get through the initial screening process, so this is essential.?

Preparation is key!?

For each interview I would make sure I had considered what they would potentially ask me using the role information and person specification and prepare key points I could use across a range of questions, not just rehearsing answers to particular questions.?

View the process as an opportunity.?

Participating in assessment centres and interviews has allowed me to apply and reflect on the skills and knowledge I have gained from both my academic and professional journey, which will put me in a strong position when applying for future graduate opportunities.?

Access the Careers and Employability Service, including the Placements Team!?

They offer fantastic advice on almost any worry or problem you might face during your placement search.?

Don’t forget, if you’re a current student at the University of Portsmouth searching for a placement, we offer expert advice, the latest opportunities and a range of ongoing support.?

Register your interest in completing a placement by accessing our online form and search for current roles on our Work Placements Jobsboard .

You also have the opportunity to attend our Graduate Recruitment and Placement Fair coming up on Thursday 17 October from 11.00am - 3.00pm in Ravelin Sports Centre with the opportunity to meet a range of organisations who offer industrial placement opportunities. Find out more through the Careers and Employability Service website .