Leaving university with a good degree
is important in the graduate employment market, but alone
this is not enough for you to secure your first graduate
job.
How does an employer choose the right person from a hundred
applicants all with the same class of degree? The skills
you develop whilst at school/college and university and
the experiences they gain will all help to give you the
edge over the next candidate.
Students frequently underestimate the skills that
they have developed and the value that employers attach
to them. You need to build up a list of evidence of the
skills that many employers require. Go to the what skills
do employers want web page on this site, to find out what
they are.
Don't forget you can use examples from your studies as well as from employment. Most students have undertaken some kind of work - usually to earn money in the holidays! Whatever you have done, however temporary or casual should have taught you something about your personal abilities or preferences.
The jobs do not have to be related to the kind of work you eventually want to do as a graduate e.g. a summer job in a restaurant involves with dealing with customers (communication skills), handling cash (numeracy), working with other staff (team work).
Employers are usually just as interested in how you have spent your time at university as in how well you have done academically.
Skills gained through membership of student societies, sport or through any extra-curricular activity are as important as degree-based or work-based skills.
To get you started,
here are some suggestions of ways to assess your skills,
see where your gaps are and help you to provide evidence.
Use the Skills
Analysis Sheet to help you record your evidence.
The good news is that you will have made an excellent start
already and your year abroad can continue this development.
Examples of where you may have developed
skills
Written Communication
The ability to write
concisely and convey meaning in a manner appropriate to
different readers, presenting a persuasive argument.
Oral Communication
The ability
to verbally express ideas in a way that is easily
understood by others who are unfamiliar with the
topic, including delivering a presentation, giving
accurate information or acting as a spokesperson.
Problem Solving
Devising and then using
an appropriate method rule technique or logic to solve
a problem.
Leadership
The ability to organise
and motivate others.
Creative Thinking
Being original & inventive
in order to solve problems, generate ideas or produce
novel designs.
Numeracy
Ability to understand
and interpret facts & ideas expressed in figures and
non-verbal data.
Team-working
Working co-operatively
with others effectively to achieve a common goal.
Commercial Awareness
Having an understanding
and appreciation of the organisation and its market
position.
Others skills you may be asked to demonstrate include:-
Language Skills, Judgement, IT, Negotiating, Persuading, Decision-Making, Time Management, Project Management, Self-Motivation and Physical Fitness.
You will need to be more specific about your evidence when you complete job application forms in writing or online.
In your answer you should give a brief description of the context in which the skills took place, including what you actually did and what impact that had. You may find these headings useful:
Example Question
Give an example of where you
worked as a member of a team to achieve a common goal.
You may use an example from work experience, your course
or other activities/interests.
Sample Answer
As a member of the hockey team, I became concerned about the low morale of the team and its effect on the teams’ performance. (context). I discussed this with the other team members and suggested ways of raising morale. Motivational social events were organised in order to create some team spirit. These events were followed up with informal discussion sessions organised by the team to put their views across. (action) The result of this exercise was a noticeable improvement in team morale - the team developed initiative and the drive to make things happen - which in turn led to a number of awards for the team. (impact/outcome).