If you’ve ever wondered what a career is really like beyond the job description, job shadowing might be the answer. This hands-on experience lets you observe professionals in action, offering valuable insights into daily responsibilities, workplace culture, and career paths. In this blog, we’ll break down what job shadowing is, its benefits and drawbacks, how it compares to internships and externships, and tips for finding and making the most of these opportunities.
“A mind that is stretched by new experiences can never go back to its old dimensions.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. Jurist and former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
Have you ever been intrigued by a specific professional role but want to experience the day-to-day reality more thoroughly before fully committing to the necessary education or training? If yes, you might consider job shadowing as the next step on your career path. Whether you’re contemplating a new career, exploring other industries, or merely want to discover more about a specific position, job shadowing is a great way to understand firsthand what it truly entails. Read on to learn more about job shadowing, its advantages and disadvantages, and how it differs from similar experiences. We’ll also discuss how to find job shadowing opportunities and how to prepare for and get the most out of them.
Job Shadowing Defined
Job shadowing is a valuable hands-on learning experience in which someone observes a professional in their role, gaining insight into their daily work routine. Depending on the circumstances, job shadowing can occur over a few hours, days or weeks. Students and college interns are ideal candidates for job shadowing opportunities; however, they’re suitable for anyone considering a new career path. Companies also offer them to their employees to explore other organizational roles, and some even use job shadowing for employee onboarding and training.
The Benefits of Job Shadowing
You may ask yourself whether job shadowing is worth your time and energy. Let’s examine some of the advantages of job shadowing that can help you make a more informed decision about your future and give you the edge you need to compete in today’s job market.
Job shadowing offers unique insights into the daily duties, tasks, responsibilities, skills and experience required in a particular role. Additionally, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the tools and technology the person you’re shadowing uses daily to perform their job. Job shadowing is also a great way to learn about the other individuals, teams and departments with which someone in this role may collaborate, and it’s a singular opportunity to experience an organization’s culture firsthand. Other benefits include networking opportunities with the person you’re shadowing and others within the organization and guidance on the skills and training necessary for someone to perform the role.
Job shadowing is an excellent way to clarify your professional goals by confirming—or challenging—your initial conceptions of a specific role and whether it aligns with your interests, skills and experience. It can also be inspiring and empowering. Referencing your experience on your resume and in interviews demonstrates your motivation and drive.
The Downside of Job Shadowing
While job shadowing has many benefits, it’s imperative to understand the drawbacks as well. In most cases, it’s unpaid and requires a significant commitment of your time and energy, but it may not always culminate with an offer of employment. The result doesn’t have to be a net loss, though—in most cases—the insight and experience you’ll gain will be invaluable.
Depending on the length, depth and breadth of your job shadowing experience, it may offer only a limited perspective of the role you’re exploring. This doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker, but it is something to be aware of when considering a job shadow opportunity. It’s also important to remember that the experience may not meet your idealized version of the role. Still, you could view this as an advantage because it could redirect you away from something you’re ill-suited for and down a different path that better fits your unique capabilities and qualifications. This scenario is especially true for organizations using job shadowing to place employees better.
How Job Shadowing Differs From Other Experiences
Internships and externships are also worthwhile experiential learning opportunities; however, there are distinctions between them and job shadowing. Internships allow students to perform a company’s entry-level tasks, typically over a few months or a semester. These programs are usually paid, and many organizations use them to recruit new employees.
Like job shadowing, externships are more about observing a professional rather than performing tasks; however, an extern may do administrative work or assist with tasks or projects. Externships also tend to have a shorter duration than internships, usually around a few days to a few weeks. They aren’t typically paid positions but are sometimes eligible for college credit. Job shadowing is usually less involved than internships and externships and offers people a quick way to understand a role with minimal investment of resources.
Determine If Job Shadowing Is Right for You
Job shadowing can be incredibly valuable in many industries and fields, particularly those with a steep learning curve or varying daily tasks. To determine if it’s a good match for your situation, assess whether it aligns with your career goals, requirements and availability. Ask yourself what you want to gain from the experience, and determine the level of commitment and financial implications.
And don’t be afraid to seek out or say “yes” to opportunities outside the industries or roles you assume fit you best. Creative fields like graphic design and professions with niche roles that vary significantly, such as legal assistants and human resources (HR) professionals, can offer various possibilities you may not be aware of. The beauty of job shadowing is that it allows you to “peek behind the curtain” and observe how these less-defined roles can differ from one industry or organization to another.
Find Job Shadowing Opportunities
There are several ways to identify job shadowing opportunities:
- Network with professionals in your field of interest through LinkedIn, networking events or informational interviews.
- Check out the career center or alumni network at your school. They often connect with alums keen to help recent or current graduates explore career options.
- Join industry organizations or trade associations, many of which have formalized job shadowing or mentorship programs.
Prepare for Job Shadowing
Now that you’ve found a good job shadow opportunity, prepare just as you would for a networking event or an interview. Thoroughly research the role and organization and reflect on how they align with your goals. Prepare a list of questions in advance, and be ready to talk about yourself, your professional interests and why this opportunity is beneficial. Wear something appropriate per the company’s dress code and culture. Arrive 15 minutes early and silence your phone. Bring a notepad, pen and extra copies of your resume.
Get the Most Out of Your Experience
You’ve worked hard to secure your job shadow, so get the most out of it. Impress everyone with your enthusiasm and professionalism. Be engaged and give people your full attention: smile, introduce yourself, offer firm handshakes and make eye contact. Be ready to learn—take notes and ask thoughtful questions (don’t assume you know everything). Speak with other team members if possible. Ask about other opportunities at the end of your job shadowing period.
Don’t forget to follow up with your job-shadowing contacts. Send a thoughtful thank you note to the person you shadowed and anyone else who helped facilitate your experience. Connect on LinkedIn with anyone you networked with. Take some time to reflect on your experience, review your notes and record your thoughts, observations and experiences. Lastly, add your job shadow experience to your resume. Along with the name of the company and the dates you shadowed, you can include what you observed, helped with and achievements you contributed to.
Job shadowing is a low investment with a high reward and a fantastic way to learn more about a role or career path while helping you build your professional network!
Anne Evenson is a native Austinite and a proud Veteran’s spouse with over 20 years of marketing, communications and program coordination experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. She is also a sculptor, jeweler and all-around dabbler in the arts and loves to help military-connected individuals discover their inner creativity.
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