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This programme is open to anyone aged 13+
Certificate of completion
2 hours worth of content
Overview
This Virtual Work Experience gives you the practical tools you’ll need to apply for jobs with confidence. Discover how to write a strong CV, learn which common mistakes to avoid, and get to grips with what interviews really involve. By the end, you’ll understand what employers look for at the application and interview stage, and feel more prepared to put your best foot forward.
What’s Included
Through this Virtual Work Experience, you will explore key concepts, practical tips, and skills that will prepare you for applying to jobs and further study. You'll take part in interactive content and a quiz to check your understanding.
This lesson walks you through the essentials of a strong CV, from structure and content to tone and presentation. It gives practical, step-by-step guidance that you can apply to your own CV straight away.
You'll find out about the most common CV mistakes and how to steer clear of them. This lesson helps you spot and fix issues that could otherwise cost you an interview.
This lesson demystifies the interview process, covering what to expect, how to prepare, and how to answer common questions with confidence. You'll come away with a clearer sense of how to make a strong impression.
A short quiz to check your understanding of the key ideas covered in the lesson, from writing a CV to preparing for an interview.
Available dates
Programme dates
29th July 2026 - 6th March 2027
Hear from our student community
Aqsa Saleemi, Year 12 Student
Thank you for all your time and effort. The program was by far the best experience I’ve had virtually compared to other virtual experiences I’ve done. I liked the layout and the interactive activities, and I learnt a lot I didn’t know. I would definitely recommend this program to others; it was a great experience I would love to do it all again.
Wilfred Williams, Year 12 Student from London
I enjoyed the webinars since it was a good way to get a real understanding about the banking industry. There also were many tools to help build my transferrable skills, and this will benefit me when moving into the working world and further education.
Sophia Nathwani, Year 11 Student, from Hampton
I enjoyed understanding the many professions and areas within journalism that I had not been able to clearly separate prior to this programme; I particularly enjoyed the photojournalism and broadcast journalism sections, as they allowed me to explore a less conventional writing style than what I would normally use. The interactive tasks were a great way for me to demonstrate and put into practice my new knowledge, and all of the videos were extremely concise and helpful.
Ellinor Comard, Year 12 Student from Teddington
I really enjoyed how it introduced completely new and interesting technologies such as smart buildings. I also really liked the webinars as they give you an insight into what it's actually like working in a specific field.
Stephanie Oseha, Year 12 Student
A huge thank you to everyone who made this programme possible. It was a fantastic experience, and I feel more confident in myself now when applying for a job position in the future and in my personal life. I valued this experience because I realised it was okay to make mistakes and how they make you stronger for future events. I loved how efficient the Barclays team was when students and the professionals who ran the live webinars asked questions. The skills I've learnt through this virtual work experience will be used for future endeavours. So once again, thank you so much.
Jack Zhou, Year 12 Student from Kingston upon Thames
I enjoyed how interactive it was. It contains a range of videos and activities - so you aren't just reading a huge chunk of information all the time; it gets your brain to start thinking and keeps it going. Thank you very much for your hard work; it has enlightened me.
Frequently asked questions
When will I hear back if I have been successful with my application?
Once you have applied for your programme, you will receive a confirmation email. You will be notified about the outcome of your application via email at least 3 days before the programme start date. Good luck!
Can I apply to multiple programmes?
Yes, you can sign up to multiple programmes with us. The live talks will be available as recordings, so you can catch up on any potential clashes.
Who can take part in the programme? (Age limits, some programmes have location constraints but most don’t etc.)
Most of our programmes require students to be in school/college. Some programmes require students to be based in specific regions of the UK, this is stipulated by the organisations themselves, and is not defined by Springpod.
However, the ages mentioned on our programmes are more of a guideline than a strict limit. As such, we more than welcome older students to apply as well!
How long does it take for assignments to be reviewed?
Assignments can take up to a week or longer to review and be marked complete. Rest assured, it will be reviewed soon and your certificate will be generated once your programme has been marked as complete.
What do I do if I upload the wrong file?
If you make a mistake when uploading a file, please email hello@springpod.com. We will be able to make a note on our system. Don’t worry, the outcome of your programme will not be affected by this.
How long will I have to complete this programme?
There is no specific cut-off deadline for completing your programme (although, if possible, we would encourage you to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions).
When does the programme start?
Our programmes have various start dates, you can find the exact date on the programme website page. These are available here: https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/search
You will be notified if your application has been successful, 3 days before the programme start date.
What happens if I can't finish the work experience in time?
All programme material will remain accessible after the end date of the programme. Students can continue to work through their programme after the official end date. Although, if possible, we would strongly encourage students to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions.
How much work is required for these programmes? (Will I be able/should I complete more than one programme at a time)?
There is around 10 hours worth of work in total, spread across a two week period. The live talks will be available as recordings, so you can catch up on any work whenever possible.
When do the programmes run? (programme structure etc.)
Once you have access, you can view and complete the material as and when you can, within the time frame of the course in question (for example, within a two week period). In total, there is around 10 hours worth of work. The live talks will take place during weekday working hours. However, all live talks will be available as recordings and the courses can be completed at your own convenience. . There is no specific cut-off deadline for completing your programme (although, if possible, we would encourage you to complete all the work within the time frame, alongside the live webinar sessions).
What happens if I can't make a live talk/webinar?
All live talks will be available as recordings. You can access these at the same link used to access the live event. So don’t worry if you can’t attend a live webinar, a recording will be available for you to access through your programme within 24 hours of the live event finishing.
What software is required for the live talks?
We use a piece of software called BigMarker. It is a cloud based video hosting software. It requires no installations or downloads on your end, and will provide everything you need to join the live webinars through one simple link.
Will I be able to ask questions/do I have to have my microphone on?
You will have a chance to ask questions at the end of each webinar. These questions are typed out and then read to the presenter by the host of the live talk. There is no need to speak, and all student microphones will be muted for the duration of the live webinar.
Will I receive a certificate on completion of the programme?
You will receive a certificate on completion of your programme. It will be made available to download whenever your programme is marked as complete.
Do you offer in-person work experience?
We don't directly manage in person work experience but many of our virtual programmes can lead to in person opportunities, look for the programmes marked as 'Virtual to Reality'. You will need to complete the virtual programme and declare your interest via the embedded form.
When will I hear if there is an in-person opportunity?
Our employer partner will contact you directly about any opportunities, timescales can vary Springpod won't be able to provide any updates on progress.
How can I delete my account?
You can delete your account following the below steps
Can you please ensure you log into your account at the following link: https://www.springpod.com
Once logged in, click on your name in the top right-hand corner, select settings and then ‘delete account’.
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