The Benefits of Job Shadowing

As a job seeker, you may not know exactly what the role you’re applying to will be like, even if your skills fit the role being advertised. You may also be considering different job positions or paths and aren’t sure what role you will enjoy working in the most. How can you approach learning more about a position in a professional manner? 

Enter job shadowing!

What is job shadowing? 

Job shadowing isn’t a new concept- “shadowing,” or closely observing a professional, is commonly used in organizations to onboard new hires or allow aspiring professionals a chance to see different roles. Depending on the role, you may be invited to attend meetings, see active projects, or perform small tasks within the company under the professional’s supervision. 

There are different types of job shadowing commonly found in organizations. The three most common types are: 

• Observation: You will spend your time observing a professional going about their daily tasks in their position. 
   
• Hands-On: You will expand on your observation shadowing by completing small tasks you have seen the professional work on. 
   
• Regular Briefing: You will be briefed and debriefed before and after shadowing a professional for a small period of time. This may be more common if you are already in the organization and have the chance to step out to shadow others and learn about their specific positions. 

As a job seeker, job shadowing may be offered to you in the hiring process, or in the training process. It’s important to take advantage of shadowing to learn more about what your responsibilities and work life will be like. 

What can I get out of job shadowing? 

Job shadowing has some obvious benefits- you can learn how your daily life will look, who you’d be interacting with in an organization, or where your skill set and interests may be best suited. But there are more benefits than meets the eye! Some of the largest are below: 

• Shorter Commitments: Job shadowing is a great opportunity to learn about a new position without fully committing to changing roles or companies. If you are considering a major change, there is often a lot of time and effort you must put in personally to land a new job (and change can be scary without confidence in your choice!)
  
  Job shadowing can help you feel more prepared before putting in that time, and you can better ensure you’d enjoy the new role before switching jobs. 
   
• Networking Opportunities: Sometimes, applying for a new role can feel like sending your resume into the void. Job shadowing bridges that gap by allowing you to talk to a person directly. You can make personal connections within the company or department you are interested in, which may help your chances of landing a job or being recommended for other relevant positions if you’re still looking to apply. 
   
• Asking Questions: Job shadowing is a great opportunity not just for making connections, but for asking questions! You should use the opportunity to ask questions you’d have a hard time answering with your own research, such as:
  
  “What has been your career path to enter this role?"
  
  ”What do you enjoy or find challenging about your position and responsibilities?”
  
  “How are your company’s values reflected in your work?”
  
  “What do you enjoy about working for x company?”

It’s also great to ask questions like these in an interview but hearing from an employee rather than an interviewer may provide you more insightful and thorough answers.

How do I find job shadowing opportunities? 

Job shadowing won’t be a common advertisement like posted jobs are. If you are already in the organization and you wish to shadow another role, it may be simple for you to ask your employer.

If this isn’t the case, you do have options! “Cold emailing” a potential employer to show your interest in shadowing is a great option if you don’t have a personal contact in the organization. 

If you have a personal contact or networking connection, it may be more beneficial to reach out to them directly and see if they can connect you with the right person to offer a job shadowing opportunity. 

Internships or graduate programs may also be an option for you, as they commonly have mentorship or shadowing opportunities built into the learning experience.