A degree alone is not enough. Employers are looking for more than just technical skills and knowledge of a degree discipline. They particularly value skills such as communication, teamworking and problem-solving. Job applicants who can demonstrate that they have developed these skills will have a real advantage. Digby Jones - Director-General, Confederation of British Industry. Forward to Prospects Directory 2004/5. 21st century graduates need to demonstrate to employers that they can 'hit the ground running'. In addition to working hard to gain a good degree, students should engage in extracurricular activities and obtain work experience in order to develop skills that will make them better prepared for the world of work. It is also important for students to become self- aware and develop the confidence to market themselves effectively when the time comes to apply for jobs. Carl Gilleard – Chief Executive, Association of Graduate Recruiters. Leaving university with a good degree is a pre-requisite in the graduate employment market, but alone this is not enough 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 you gain will all help to give you the edge over the next candidate. The good news is that this means it is essential not simply to bury your head in a book all the time you are at university, but to continue with all the things, including your interests and work experience, that help to enrich your life and improve your CV. » So what do employers want?
Analysis of years of national employer surveys suggests the desired skills for graduates fall into four broad areas. Do any of the words in Table 1 describe you? Table 1: Skills that employers want | |
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| Self-reliance skills | Self-awareness – purposeful, focused, self-belief, realistic | | Proactivity – resourceful, drive, self-reliant | | Willingness to learn – inquisitive, motivated, enthusiastic | | Self-promotion – positive, persistent, ambitious | | Networking – initiator, relationship-builder, resourceful | | Planning action – decision-maker, planner, able to prioritise | | People skills | Team working – supportive, organised, co-ordinator, deliverer | | Interpersonal skills – listener, adviser, co-operative, assertive | | Oral communication – communicator, presenter, influencer | | Leadership – motivator, energetic, visionary | | Customer orientation – friendly, caring, diplomatic | | Foreign language – specific language skills | | General skills | Problem-solving – practical, logical, results orientated | | Flexibility – versatile, willing, multi-skilled | | Business acumen – entrepreneurial, competitive, risk taker | | IT/computer literacy – office skills, keyboard skills, software packages | | Numeracy – accurate, quick-thinker, methodical | | Commitment – dedicated, trustworthy, conscientious | | Specialist skills | Specific occupational skills – specialist relevant knowledge, eg languages, IT | | Technical skills – eg journalism, engineering, accounting, sales |
» What skills have I got?
When you start to think about it you will be surprised to discover how many skills, as outlined in Tables 2a-c, you already have. Table 2a: Skills developed from interests | Interests | Skills developed |
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| Climbing Snowdon (team orienteering task for Duke of Edinburgh award) | Leadership | | Problem-solving | | Risk-taking | | Co-operation | | Music band (play regularly at local venues) | Commitment | | Entrepreneurial | | Organised |
Table 2b: Skills developed from work experience | Work experience | Skills developed |
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| Conservation group (voluntary fundraising) | Drive | | Persistence | | Financial awareness(numeracy) | | Waiting on tables (local restaurant) | Diplomatic | | Flexible | | Assertive |
Table 2c: Skills developed from education | Education | Skills developed |
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| Project work | Planning | | Able to prioritise | | Resourceful | | Field trip | Team working | | Focused | | Willing to learn |
» OK, I know these skills are important so what should I do now?
Take time out to review your skills – looking back to the original list, what skills do you think you are good at and which ones do you think you could do more to improve in order to make yourself more employable in the future? » Take action on specific skills
Many university courses may require certain skills, especially vocational ones like medicine or law. Look carefully at prospectuses and entry profiles on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website to find out what they are looking for. Make the most of school/college organised work experience or work shadowing to get relevant experience. Take all opportunities open to you and be proactive. If specific experience or skills are required for a degree course, make your own contacts, eg with a local hospital or law firm. Remember your work experience doesn’t have to be all-singing and all-dancing. Showing that you have had the initiative to get into the right environment can be key. You could also check out the graduate profiles section on www.universityoptions.co.uk to get top tips from recent graduates. » Plan to improve your employability skills
Get involved in school/college activitiesWhy not get involved in your student council, and if you have not got one, suggest that one is started. Offer to help when you can, whether it is fund-raising for the school, or helping out at open evenings or with younger children. Start a student magazine in your school or college. Watch out for sixth form conferences, eg Model United Nations conferences. And take any chances to attend taster days at universities or organised by professional bodies. Take advantage of schemes like Young Enterprise, which are an excellent way to develop teamwork and business skills. VolunteeringVolunteering can help you develop skills, can be fun, and you can do it in the vacations and weekends. It is also a really good way to mix with people outside your school or college and show your interpersonal skills. There are many local organisations, but if you are stuck try Volunteering England www.volunteering.org.uk, or for local opportunities www.do-it.org.uk, and for international volunteering check out www.worldwidevolunteering.org.uk. Part-time workNever underestimate the importance of this. Communication, teamwork, drive and energy are all essential in many jobs, whether they are fairly mundane or not. » Don’t forget – create your own skills portfolio
You need to know what you are good at and have the evidence to prove it. Be one of the smart generation and record all your activities, paid or voluntary, in or out of school. If you have a Record of Achievement/Progress File, log your experiences in this. It makes for much easier CV writing, not to mention completing your UCAS application. » Contacts and resources
PublicationsGraduate Prospects publicationsGraduate Prospects and AGCAS publications should be available in your university careers service. You can also order publications from us. - Prospects Directory 2004/5, Graduate Prospects.
Others- The Art of Building Windmills: Career Tactics for the 21st Century, Dr Peter Hawkins and the Graduates Into Employment Unit (GIEU), 1999.
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