Assessing Your Skills

Author: Tracy Edwards, SIS Student Network Manager

As more and more people leave university with a 2:1, employers are expecting students to be able to differentiate themselves from the crowd. Whatever your career plans, it's likely that potential employers will expect you to demonstrate a range of skills. The way that you present your experiences could give you an advantage over other candidates.

So, what exactly are companies looking for?
A recent survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) outlined a number of important skills and personal qualities often in short supply among applicants.

Recruiters' top 10

• Motivation and enthusiasm
• Interpersonal skills
• Team working
• Oral communication
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Initiative
• Problem solving
• Planning and organisation
• Managing your own development
• Written communication

Source: IES/AGR Annual Survey 2001/2002

Employers are generally looking for well-rounded candidates, although some more specific careers may require additional skills or background knowledge. You can research this by looking at information from employers, industry organisations and specialist careers publications. It might also be useful to talk to people working in the industry.

Having established what recruiters want - How can you demonstrate these skills?
Many online registrations will ask you to give specific examples detailing different aspects of your skills portfolio (e.g. "tell us about an occasion when you worked as part of a team"). You are also likely to face similar questions at interviews. It's therefore essential to think about strong examples. Recruiters might also ask you what you have learnt from your experiences and how you would put your newly developed skills into action in different circumstances.

Make sure you do not undersell the experiences you've gained whilst at university. Working in a bar or managing a busy shop will help you to develop key communication, negotiation, teamwork and customer service skills. Taking on the role of captain of your local five-a-side football team will give you the opportunity to develop your leadership, organisational and assertiveness skills.

Other sources of experience might include:

• Work experience, including temporary or summer jobs
• Other extra-curricular interests
• Your degree course
• Clubs and societies
• Gap years or extended travelling
• Voluntary work and community projects

Take some time to list major experiences and achievements in each of these areas. Outline what you have learnt from each of the experiences and what you might do different next time.If, after looking at your achievements, you want to develop your skills further, there are numerous ways of doing this.

Enhancing your skills

• Join a society or attend events offering transferable skills training. SIS is an ideal way of developing your skills portfolio. Find out more by visiting www.crac.org.uk/sis
• Consult your careers service or visit your campus jobshop
• Get involved with the committee of your favourite university club/society, or with your students' union
• Take part in a work experience scheme, e.g. STEP. Find out more by visiting www.step.org.uk
• Contact a voluntary organisation, e.g. Millennium Volunteers. Find out more by visiting www.millenniumvolunteers.gov.uk

In the current competitive environment, employers increasingly expect transferable skills "to come with the graduate package". Get ahead of the game by reviewing your experiences now.

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