Why do you want this placement? How to answer
Show that you understand what the placement actually involves, and connect two or three of its features to what you want to learn and what you've done so far. Recruiters know you have less experience than a graduate. They're looking for clear reasons and genuine interest.
How it differs from "Why us?"
"Why us?" is about the employer. "Why this placement?" is about the role: the work, the training, the team and what you'll take back to your degree. Many forms ask both, so keep them separate.
What recruiters look for
- You know what the year involves. Rotations, projects, the team, training or a qualification.
- A link to your degree. A module or project that made you want hands-on experience in this area.
- What you'll learn. Specific skills, not "real-world experience" on its own.
- What you'll bring. Even early on, something useful: a skill, a habit or an interest.
A structure to follow
- What draws you to the role: one or two features of this placement.
- Why now: what in your course or experience so far made you want this.
- What you want to learn: one or two specific skills.
- What you'll bring: one thing you can already offer.
Example answer
Sam is a fictional second-year mechanical engineering student. Northbridge Aerospace is a fictional employer. The details are invented to show the shape of a good answer. Use your own.
Northbridge's placement rotates between manufacturing engineering and component test, and I want both. So far my project work has stopped at the drawing stage. I modelled our Formula Student intake in SolidWorks, but a supplier made it, so I never saw the decisions on the shop floor. Six months in manufacturing would show me why some designs are easy to build and others aren't. The test rotation fits what I enjoy most: running a fair test and working out what the data means, as I did in our wind-tunnel blade trials. By the end of the year I want to be able to design a part with its manufacture and testing already in mind. In return I'd bring careful record-keeping and the habit of diagnosing a problem before changing anything, which I built in a part-time bike repair job.
About 145 words.
Common mistakes
- "To gain real-world experience." True of every placement, so it says nothing on its own.
- Not knowing what the role is. Describing a different job from the one advertised.
- Only what you'll get. Balance it with what you'll bring.
- Copying the job advert back. Use its details, but add why each one matters to you.
- A template answer for every placement. The role details should change every time.
FAQs
What if I'm not sure what career I want yet?
That's normal for a placement. Say what you want to find out, and why this role is a good way to test it.
Should I mention wanting a graduate job afterwards?
If it's true, yes. Many placements feed graduate schemes, and interest in staying is a plus.
Can I use examples from outside my degree?
Yes. Part-time work, societies and personal projects all show skills employers value.