Don’t waste your work experience fetching coffee and making photocopies. Here’s how to turn even the smallest role into a career-changing opportunity. Work experience can change your life. But only if you use it well.

Too many people waste it doing boring tasks. They don’t ask questions. They don’t learn. They don’t grow. You don’t want that.

Here are 22 ways to get most out of your work experience and make it count.

1. Be Early Every Day

Arrive early. This shows you care. People notice it. It gives you time to settle in, plan your day, and start fresh. Even being 10 minutes early can help you get most out of your work experience.

2. Dress the Part

First impressions matter. Dress like you belong. Even if others dress casually, stay neat and clean. Looking professional helps people take you seriously. It’s a small thing, but it helps you get most out of your work experience.

3. Ask Smart Questions

Don’t stay quiet. Ask questions when you don’t understand something. Ask about the work, the company, or the people. People like to share what they know. Good questions show you are interested. This is key if you want to get most out of your work experience.

4. Keep a Notebook

Write everything down. New tasks. New words. Names of people. Write what you learn each day. This helps you remember things. You can also review your notes later. Keeping notes will help you get most out of your work experience.

5. Take on More Work

Don’t wait to be told what to do. If you finish a task, ask for more. Show you’re ready for more responsibility. This shows initiative. Taking extra steps will help you get most out of your work experience.

6. Learn About the Industry

Don’t just focus on your tasks. Try to learn how the whole company works. Talk to people in different roles. Learn about their jobs. Understanding the big picture helps you get most out of your work experience.

7. Speak to Everyone

Make connections. Talk to your manager. Talk to other interns. Talk to cleaners. Talk to senior staff. Every person can teach you something. Networking is key if you want to get most out of your work experience.

8. Stay Off Your Phone

Put your phone away. Unless it’s for work, don’t use it. You’re there to learn, not scroll through Instagram. Focus is the key if you want to get most out of your work experience.

9. Ask for Feedback

Ask your boss how you’re doing. Ask what you can do better. Don’t be afraid of criticism. Feedback helps you grow. Learning from your mistakes helps you get most out of your work experience.

10. Keep Track of Your Wins

Did you help finish a big project? Did you solve a tricky problem? Write it down. This will help you update your CV later. It’s easier to show your value when you can list real wins. That’s how you get most out of your work experience.

11. Show You Can Work in a Team

Teamwork is important in any job. Help others. Listen well. Share credit. Good team players are always valued. Being a team player helps you get most out of your work experience.

12. Use What You Learn in Real Life

Did you learn to use new software? Did you see how meetings are run? Try to use this knowledge outside work too. The more you apply what you learn, the more confident and skilled you become.

13. Stay Organised

Plan your day. Keep track of tasks. Meet deadlines. Use a to-do list or calendar. Being organised makes a strong impression on others.

14. Learn Soft Skills

Soft skills are things like communication, time management, and problem-solving. They matter just as much as hard skills. Pay attention to how people speak and work. Copy good habits. These skills will help you in any future job or career.

15. Ask for a Reference

When your work experience ends, ask for a reference. A good reference can help with jobs or university. It’s proof that you did well. It’s something that will support your future applications.

16. Stay in Touch

Email your manager after it ends. Say thank you. Ask if you can stay in contact. This keeps the door open. Staying connected can lead to future opportunities.

17. Reflect on What You Learned

Take time to think after your work experience ends. What did you enjoy? What was hard? What surprised you? Reflection helps you understand yourself and your goals better.

18. Add it to Your CV and LinkedIn

Don’t forget to add your experience to your CV. Also update your LinkedIn profile. Write what you did and what you learned.This shows others that you are serious about your growth.

19. Think About Your Future

Did you enjoy this kind of work? Do you want to do something similar? Or something different? Work experience helps you decide. It gives you a real-world taste of possible careers.

20. Share Your Experience

Tell your friends or classmates what you did. Write a blog post. Post something on social media. Teaching others helps you remember more. And it shows others what you’re capable of.

21. Stay Curious

The best way to grow is to stay curious. Always look for new things to learn. Try to understand more. Curiosity leads to better learning and stronger results.

22. Treat It Like a Real Job

Even if you’re not being paid, act like you are. Be professional. Take it seriously. That’s how people will treat you seriously too. This attitude shows you are ready for real work.

Enrollmate can support students by helping them find guidance on education that leads to valuable work experience opportunities and offering expert guidance.

Work experience is more than a line on your CV. It’s a chance to grow. A chance to learn. A chance to show what you can do. Follow these 22 tips and you will get most out of your work experience — no matter how small the role is. Make it count. Turn it into something big.