Job shadowing is an effective form of job training for specific jobs. Job shadowing enables an employee to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of what an employee who has a particular job does everyday. This type of learning is usually used to onboard new employees into an organization or into a new role. Job shadowing may also be used as a learning opportunity for interns or students (but why not older workers too?) to gain an understanding of the role requirements and the job tasks.
Pros:
• Get an insight in a specific job inside/outside the company
• Get out of your comfort zone
• Gain new ideas & perspectives
• Practically apply new skills
• May be easier to find
• Learn new skills
• Try out a new career without making a long-term commitment
• Widen professional network
• Chance to connect with potential cooperation partners
Cons:
• May not match the individual or sending company’s goal
• Having to overcome the ageist prejudices of some hiring managers
• Your financial obligations are likely to be greater and many people don’t have the resources to quit their jobs to work for free (if unpaid)
This information was part of the SASSI LLC training materials. If you want to learn more, visit the Ambassadors for Mobility on the SASSI Hub.
