'Employability' is a term that has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it refers to your ability to obtain employment,

stay in employment and make informed choices as you progress through your career. Recruiters assess your employability by looking for evidence of skills during the selection process that they consider essential for success in a professional environment. These commonly include: Working as part of a team Communicating clearly with co-workers and clients Critical & analytical thinking Problem solving ability Commercial or business awareness (PDF, 222 KB) Self-management & motivation

Essential skills for employability

Managing ambiguity: the essential skill for career progression

Can you make the best possible decision based on the information that's available? Find out why graduate recruiters value the ability to manage ambiguity.
Many of the top skills and competencies sought after by graduate recruiters are relatively selfexplanatory, such as communication, teamwork and leadership. But what about managing ambiguity? It may be less obvious, but if you want to progress in a management role, its going to be key to your success. The more senior you are, the more likely you are to have to rely on information supplied by others, which may be partial or incomplete, rather than making decisions based on what you have found out personally. Thats when an ability to manage ambiguity becomes a big advantage.

You can manage ambiguity if

You can make decisions on the basis of the information you have, even if that isnt the whole picture. You can cope with uncertainty and risk. You can adapt to change. This competency is particularly important in complex, fast-changing environments, such as the retail sector. For example, a store manager who is waiting for a delivery, but is not sure when it will arrive, will need to stay in touch with the supplier for updates while also making preparations to unload. The

store manager will also need to decide how many members of staff should be on hand to help and how much shelf space will be required. Employees who can manage ambiguity are well placed to work effectively in large, complex organisations that are subject to change or reform, making this a valuable skill to have in a public sector career, for example, in the NHS or local government.

How to show graduate recruiters that you are capable of managing ambiguity
Think of examples you could give at interview. You could be asked a direct question about this skill, such as, Describe an occasion when you had to deal with confusion or uncertainty, or make a decision without having all the facts. Prepare for this by thinking in advance about times during your studies, work experience, gap year or extracurricular activities when you found yourself having to act in an unclear situation. For example, when you did work experience, were you given unclear instructions that you then had to clarify? Were you left alone in charge while working in your part-time retail job, and did you find yourself having to deal with customer queries that you didnt really know the answer to? When you were editing a student newspaper, and you had a big interview lined up just before press day, but were in some doubt as to whether it would come off, what back-up plan did you put in place? If you feel that you could have coped with the situation you faced better, say so, and explain how. Employers are interested in what you learned from your experience as well as how you handled the situation at the time. Prepare to be asked how you cope in a crisis. Any crisis is likely to throw up uncertainty. For example, if you were away travelling and weather conditions resulted in flights being cancelled, causing widespread chaos, how did you cope? Did you find an alternative route home? Take a flexible approach to assessment exercises such as the e-tray exercise. You will need to adapt your plan of action and adjust your priorities as new information lands in your email inbox. Hedge your bets and have a back-up plan. Ambiguity involves an element of risk what if the assumptions you have made turn out to be mistaken, or the situation changes? You may need to think about ways to minimise any potential fallout from your decisions. Be prepared for your interviewer to give you the chance to ask some questions. By asking the right questions, you can show how you set about clarifying ambiguous situations. You need to be able to assess what information is relevant and how to express your question in order to get it. So do ask detailed questions about the graduate training scheme (if that information is not already available), but dont quiz your prospective employer about holiday entitlement even if thats all you really want to know. The graduate recruitment process can be confusing in itself, so if you can handle that youre well placed to handle uncertainty in the workplace. Students and graduates may find themselves grappling with ambiguity if they receive two job offers and dont know which one to go for, or have to try to keep one job offer open while waiting to find out if they will receive others.

Commercial awareness: it's how the industry fits together

The most eligible graduates know how the business world works. They are aware of trends in the sector, and understand how they will affect their would-be employer. This is the beginning of commercial awareness.

Different employers have their own interpretation of what commercial awareness means for them and in their sector.
Commercial awareness is prized by graduate recruiters across the board, in career sectors ranging from law to engineering. It is to the world of business what night-vision goggles are to midnight assaults: with it, you can operate on a professional level, but without it you wont know what is going on, and your chances of survival are slim. If you havent had the chance to develop commercial awareness through your studies, there is plenty you can do to brush up your skills in this area for yourself. Different employers will have their own interpretation of what commercial awareness means for them and in their sector. For some, it will mean reading the Financial Times every day; for others, it will mean having a grasp of the importance of cost-effectiveness and the need for efficiency. Generally speaking, employers will expect at least the following:

An understanding of their business. Familiarity with the end product, and a grasp of the activities of the organisation and the role applied for. An understanding of the marketplace. Major competitors and how they differ from each other. A really impressive candidate might also:

Have an understanding of how the major players in this particular market are performing at present. In some sectors, such as engineering, strong applicants will be aware of who is dealing with who, and which companies have won important contracts. Be able to speculate intelligently about the future. Youll need to keep up with general news to be able to do this. If there is a major catastrophe somewhere in the world, a good candidate will have some idea of how that could affect developments in the business. They might even have some inkling about how they would plan for completely unexpected events. Have an understanding of the past which helps them to predict future trends. Its particularly useful to be aware of any typical cyclical patterns, such as how wider economic conditions tend to affect a particular industry. On a smaller scale, it could be helpful to be aware of the cycle of the financial year and the effect it can have. For example, clients such as local councils might attempt to spend any remaining budget for road-building or maintenance before the end of the financial year, making this a busy time for civil engineers and construction contractors who specialise in this kind of work.

Employers looking for commercial awareness

Commercial awareness is essential if you want to join the BBC journalism trainee scheme although it doesnt ask for it by name. You need to understand the diversity of the BBCs audiences, have keen interest in current affairs, news and sport, and an understanding of broadcast technology. The BBC is big, and very well known. In order to stand out from the masses of applicants you will need to be a bit special. International law firm Pinsent Masons asks aspiring trainees to display commercial awareness. This means that they need to show a clear motivation to work in commercial law, an understanding of commercial and financial targets, up-to-date news knowledge and an ability to make rational judgments. Puneet Tahim, graduate recruitment officer at DLA Piper states; in order to deliver the best quality service to our clients, we have to understand the context in which they work. Therefore, it isn't enough for a commercial solicitor to just be technically skilled to be effective they also need the business acumen necessary to provide practical solutions to the commercial problems that clients face every day.

Commercial awareness examples

The good news is that your commercial awareness wont be tested too early in the game. In your application and covering letter its enough to write a bit about why you like the company and what it does, and why you want to work for them. Make sure these are genuinely unique reasons though. For example, John Lewis being owned by its employees is pretty special. However, by the time you get through to the next round, you need to be on the ball. If youre going to an interview you need to know about all the services their company provides. You will also need to know their main competitors, and be able to throw out some figures about how they compare (be certain these are correct).

How do I phrase it in job applications?

Do say: I noticed a couple of different people talking about the same phenomenon, so I checked it out. It seemed new and relevant, so I managed to persuade the people behind it to give a talk for my society. For top marks you should not just be observing new trends, but acting on what you see as well. Early adopters are prized more and more these days, so being one could set you apart. Dont say: I read the Financial Times. Anyone can buy a newspaper. Youd have to be pretty spectacular to turn that into a career. Instead you should think about how it has developed your knowledge base and what other sources you are using to cross-reference that data. Think about trends you have noticed, and why they are relevant to the sector you want to go into.

How to develop commercial awareness

There is no quick fix. Any practical, hands-on business experience will help, however, whether its through work experience or an internship, extracurricular activities or a part-time job. You will need to follow industry news try setting up email alerts on specific search terms. You could also trysubscribing to journals, industry magazines, RSS or twitter feeds. Candidates who make a concerted effort to gain commercial awareness for the year or so before applying for jobs should be in a strong position. If you want to brush up your commercial awareness, browse through our employer hubs. Try looking at different companies in the sector you are interested in, and see what differences you can spot.

Creativity: graduate recruiters like fresh thinking

Innovation, imagination and intuition creativity takes all three. A successful graduate career involves making both big breakthroughs and inspired evolutions.

Employers like hiring creative employees because these are the people who come with ideas to develop the company.
You may not think the role you are applying for will require much imagination. However, that does not mean that you wont need it to get the job. Employers like hiring creative employees because these are the people who come with ideas, both big and small, to develop the company.

The creative skills that employers are looking for

UBS expects all graduates and interns to be able to show innovation in terms of projects and daily working practices. However, it also expects applicants to be able to spot creative opportunities to develop their own capabilities, knowledge and skills-set to help the wider business. Melissa Hopper, graduate recruitment manager at Mott MacDonald, asks: Why would an engineer on a tunnelling job need an active imagination? We want people who can come up with new ideas, new processes and new designs. Our graduates arent recruited into a role where theyre expected to follow everyone else. Broker ICAP also looks for innovative applicants. In order to get a job here you will need to be able to produce new ideas, approaches or insights and seek opportunities for improvements.

Creativity skills examples

Creativity is something that can be assessed in different ways at different stages. For example, in the initial application, employers will be looking out for any potential flaws. If you have simply pasted text from a website (including this one) they will spot it and filter you out. Copyi ng isnt really creativity, is it? That said dont go crazy trying to make your application new and original. Employers like to be able to process applications with ease. While creative applications such as CV T -shirts, or advertisements aimed at CEOs have grabbed a lot of headlines, they certainly dont have a 100% success rate. At an assessment centre, creativity and imagination are more likely to be tested with problem solving exercises. In interviews and psychometric tests you will be given lateral thinking exercises. The best

way to tackle these is to make sure you understand the problem. Say it out loud, or write it out again on paper. These actions can help to stimulate the logical process, and may reveal the answer.

How do I phrase it on a job application?

Do say: When I was thinking about ways we could improve our figures I came up with an idea. I put together a proposal and persuaded my manager to let me run a trial. It was so successful that it was included in our strategy. What employers really want to hear about here is that your creativity had a significant positive result. Dont say: I got a B in GCSE Art If you cant think of any good recent examples of a skill, then employers will simply assume that you cant demonstrate it. Academi c grades are often not the best way of showing off your skills, and they dont let you talk about your interesting extra -curricular life either.

How to develop creative skills

One of the best ways to develop creative skills is to set up a student society. This will give you a lot of opportunities to exercise your creativity. You will need to figure out how to attract members, raise cash, organise events and more. These all require initiative, but this is also an excellent forum for brainstorming innovative ideas. Another good place to try out your creative skills is at a part-time job, or even on work experience or internships. This is more likely to happen at smaller organisations, since you will need to agree to test out the idea with the manager. You will need to agree a benchmark for success and measure the popularity of the project.

Team management: prove you're a bit more than an entry-level hire

Graduates are often hired as trainee managers and need influence and responsibility for others to make their team run well. This is about how you take the lead and get the best from people.

Your first graduate job is more likely to involve learning than leadership. However, graduate employers may be on the lookout for leadership potential.

Not to be confused with ambition leadership and team management is all about being able to direct a team to do the best that it can do. In many ways leadership is similar to teamwork. However, it also involves taking responsibility for the team and sustaining your influence. Depending on who you talk to, there are also subtle differences between leadership and team management. Team management is more about being able to get the best out your workforce, while leadership is more about being a good example, deciding where to focus efforts and setting direction. When you are writing a response to an advertisement, think about which one you are answering. Your first graduate job is more likely to involve learning than leadership. However, graduate employers may be on the lookout for leadership potential. Careers which may lead to early responsibility include retail or the armed forces (particularly on fast-track schemes). The skills involved here include:

delegation talent management emotional intelligence

The leadership skills that employers are looking for

Julie Moore, resourcing specialist for National Grid, says, 'Think of examples where you have shown good communication, leadership and problem-solving skills in work, at uni and in any clubs you are a member of. You can then use these examples at interviews.' Wates Group is looking for management, leadership, communication and relationship-building (ie interpersonal) skills, so you should highlight these on your CV. Bear in mind that these skills are even more of a focus for the recruiter than your technical knowledge. You could write a skills-based CV with these skills listed first to make them obvious, or show how you developed these skills in the information you provide about your work experience, part-time job or interests on a chronological CV. Ashley Hever, talent acquisition manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK, suggests: Some people think that in a group discussion talking and dominating the conversation will impress recruiters. However, it can go against candidates as it shows they are not flexible and can only communicate one way.

Team leadership skills examples

You need to prove that you have leadership skills, which can be complex. You will need an example of a time when your personal involvement has directly affected the way a group of people have worked, and positively influenced the outcome. Simply being the person in charge of a group of people is not enough, you need evidence that your presence had an impact. However, you should make sure you answer the competency in question. This is important because leadership is so similar to teamwork. For a teamwork competency you would use terms like encouraged and supported. However, for a leadership competency you should use more authoritative terms like delegated and directed.

How do I phrase it on a job application?

Do say: I was responsible for a team that was set a specific target. By giving certain team members particular roles and enabling them to reach their full potential we were able to achieve that target successfully. Emphasising your role within the team is important.

Dont say: There was one occasion where my team had a difficult target to reach. By forcing them to work overtime we were able to make it. There were some discipline issues but I was able to root them out and fire the individual in question. If your employer intends to move you into a position of responsibility, they need to know you can work within their system. You dont want to come across as bullying, incompetent, or as incapable of motivating others.

How to develop leadership skills

If youre a section principal in an orchestra, or a team captain in a sports squad, then you should know a bit about leadership. While these positions dont carry as much responsibility as the conductor or the coach respectively, they still have the opportunity to exercise some authority. Taking an officer role in a student society can be a good way to gain leadership skills, particularly if you are the president. This is also true for student union council positions. Becoming a sabbatical officer is not only a good way to stay in uni for another year, but it really works wonders for your CV. Positions such as team leader are possible to get through part-time and holiday work. Volunteering with childrens groups or as an instructor are also good ways to gain responsibility for a group of people. Of course, you will then have to deliver, and give the group what they need.

Problem solving: the mark of an independent employee

Line managers dont like hiring graduates who will come running every time theyre out of their depth. If you can take the pressure, make sense of your situation and step up with a solution, youll stand a better chance.

Problem solving is a vital skill in daily life, which is why graduate employers are so keen on it.

Even when it isnt specified in the job description, many employers will look at your problem solving skills at various different stages of the application process. This could be anything from psychometric tests to group activities or one-to-one interviews. Problem solving is all about using logic, as well as imagination, to make sense of your situation and come up with an intelligent solution. It is connected to a number of other skills:

Level headedness and resilience are important for assessing a situation, and reassessing it if you fail the first time You will need analytical skills, creativity and logical thinking to reach a solution If youre in a group you will also need good teamwork skills

Ways in which employers assess problem solving skills

Employers in practically every industry want candidates to have good problem solving skills. Good examples include:

When you fill in the application form for Capgemini, you're likely to find questions such as 'Describe a time in the last three years when you have worked effectively in a team, including your personal challenges and outcomes.' This gives you the opportunity to demonstrate both your teamwork and problem-solving skills. Another consultancy employer, Bain & Company, says it 'helps the world's top leaders solve their toughest challenges', so in your covering letter you should show how you tackled a problem at university, while on work experience or during a personal project. The RAF leaderless exercise is essentially an obstacle course, moving objects through various barriers with no member of the team acting as a designated leader. There are no specific solutions. Sarah Harper, head of graduate recruiting at Goldman Sachs International, explains: If a candidate is doing very well during the interview process, there is a chance they may face a slightly more challenging and off-the-wall kind of question. This would be to test how their mind functions, how they think through a problem and how they manage to do that in a relatively pressured situation.

Problem solving examples

Whether you are putting together an application, or preparing for an interview, having examples of problem solving experience is a good idea. You will need to explain how you identified the problem, came up with a solution and implemented it. Quantifiable results are good, and obviously the more complex the situation, the more impressive a successful result is. If you were forced to tackle the problem as part of a team, explain how your role was important in ensuring the positive solution, but also explain how your group worked together. This could be an opportunity to promote your teamwork skills as well. If youre set a problem as part of the graduate recruitment process, you could try using the IDEAL model, described by Bransford and Stein in their book Ideal Problem Solver. It breaks down what you need to do to solve a problem into stages:

Identify the issue Define the obstacles Examine your options Act on an agreed course of action Look at how it turns out, and whether any changes need to be made.

How do I phrase it on a job application?

Do say: I had to find a solution to complex obstacle X. By carefully allocating resources Y and using innovative ideas Z I was able to overcome it. Use actual examples. Explain the problem, say what your resources were and what ideas you came up. Consider using the STAR model. Think about the Situation you faced and the Task you had to complete, the Actions you took, and the Results you achieved. Dont say: I was forced to deal with a tricky situation. Thankfully, because I am a total legend when it comes to problem solving, it wasnt too difficult for me. If you dont explain how you solved the problem, then the skill cannot be assessed. Discussing the nature of the problem, as well as the aptitude of the solution, is important in demonstrating problem solving abilities.

How to develop problem solving skills

Problem solving is a vital skill in daily life, which is why graduate employers are so keen on it. Dealing with any of the following situations will help you gain problem solving skills without even realising it, and you may be able to use this in your graduate job applications or interviews:

Sorting out a problem with your computer Resolving a dispute with a tricky landlord in order to get your deposit back Satisfying a difficult customer Finding a way round a funding shortfall in order to pay for travel or a gap year Turning round the finances of a struggling student society Organising a student societys trip overseas, overcoming unforeseen difficulties on the way. Puzzles and games such as Sudoku and chess and can also strengthen your ability to think strategically and creatively.

Teamwork: it's high on the graduate recruiters' wishlist

Teamwork has been identified by business lobbying organisation the CBI as one of the fundamental skills that employers look for and it's on the graduate recruiters' high priority list. Show you can collaborate, influence and compromise.

The best way to show off any skill is to explain how you used it to get results. However, with teamwork you will have to show how you achieved a group result.
Teamwork is all about being able to operate smoothly and efficiently within a group. Doing this draws on a number of other skills:

The ability to encourage and inspire other team members to perform better The ability to compromise and ignore your own ego Communication and other interpersonal skills such as negotiation, influence, advising and interpreting.

Which graduate employers want teamwork skills?

Teamwork is a high priority for most graduate recruiters. They may be interested in looking for individuals who can bring different strengths to teams some graduates may be particularly good at monitoring or evaluating progress, others may urge the team on when it starts to flag, others may be great at contributing bright new ideas. But in the vast majority of graduate roles, being able to work well with colleagues is crucial. These are some examples of different ways in which employers look for teamwork skills:

One candidate who attended a PwC assessment day said he was given a very good appraisal because he encouraged other team members, listened and let others speak, and also led the topics of conversation. These are good guidelines for how to approach a group discussion exercise at an assessment day in a way that shows off your teamwork skills. Past applicants to Microsofts graduate programmes have been asked at the telephone interview stage to give an example of a time when they have influenced another team member. The ability to influence plays an important part in making someone a good teamworker, and technology companies such as Microsoft look for candidates with competencies such as teamwork as well as technical ability.

Teamwork skills examples

When youre explaining your teamwork skills on a graduate job application form or at interview, you will need to emphasise how your personal contribution allowed the team to reach its full potential.

The best way to show off any skill is to explain how you used it to get results. However, with teamwork you will have to show how you achieved a group result. If your team managed to bring in a troublesome project ahead of schedule and under budget because of something you did, this would be an excellent example. Similarly, if you were able to outperform rival teams, or win a competition because of your actions, this would be a great example.

How do I phrase it on a graduate CV?

Do say: I helped my team to beat competing groups by encouraging a group atmosphere and supporting colleagues. What you need to do is explain why your team was successful, and how your own personal contributions positively affected that outcome. Dont say: I lead my team to victory by personally beating all previous sales records. This is one of the few circumstances where you should not be emphasising your personal achievements.

Where can I get it?

You may have already gained teamwork skills without even realising it. If you havent already got a solid body of evidence to prove it, its never too late to make a start. The question is: where? Sports clubs are an excellent place to build up teamwork skills. Obviously, it has to be a team sport, so golf and tennis are probably out of the picture. On the plus side, it doesnt have to be at top flight level. Bonus points you competed at the Olympics, but joining a department hockey team is just as valid. Quiz teams are also a good place to develop teamwork. You will frequently compromise with other team members, and sometimes back down on answers only to find that you were right. While you probably dont want to give employers the impression that you are always in the pub, most will appreciate the relevance. However, teamwork skills can be developed in many different extracurricular activities. Committees of student societies, work placements and part-time jobs are all good places to develop teamwork skills. Just remember to look out for concrete examples of your contribution to the team. You could save yourself time in the long run by recording them as you go along.

Communication: the skill that sustains information flow

The effective exchange of information is essential for a well-run business. Communication is more than what you say, though. For a graduate it's about about learning to listen, understand and deliver words and information that keep things moving.

Communication is really more of a package than an individual skill.

If you think that all graduates have good communication skills, think again. A recent survey by the NUS and the CBI, a leading employers organisation, suggested that nearly a fifth of graduate recruiters were not satisfied with graduates basic use of English. You need to be able to express yourself concisely, but you also need to be a good listener and good at asking questions. Communication is really more of a package than an individual skill:

Presentation skills are important As is being able to phrase important questions Not saying too much is more important than you might think Understanding your audience and tailoring what you say is particularly important for graduate job hunters

The communication skills that employers are looking for

Good communication and teamwork is essential in a company such as Mars, where people from different backgrounds, such as engineers and technologists, have to communicate effectively with supply and demand specialists in order to ensure that products reach consumers at the right time. If you apply to Mars, you may be asked about a time when you have found it difficult to build a working relationship with someone. This is an opportunity to highlight your ability to build rapport and reach a positive outcome even in a tricky situation. National Grid uses assessment centres to sift candidates so it only recruits graduates who demonstrate good communication skills and work effectively with each other as a team. Strong communication skills will help you to shine during your presentation, interview and group discussion exercise.

Communication skills examples

Your ability to communicate well will be one of the most noticeable things about you during the application process. This is why getting it right is so important. For example:

Your application needs to be well written, easy to understand and tailored to the recruiter in question. Make sure you proofread properly too; Muphrys law states that spelling or gramma r mistakes will happen just when you are explaining how great you are at spelling and grammar. At interviews you should be confident, smile and make eye contact. Shake hands and remember names (there are techniques for this). Remember that a lot of communication is non-verbal this

is one of the reasons why most application process involve face-to-face interviews at some point or other. If other tasks are involved, like presentations, or group activities, be aware that your communication skills may still be under assessment. Think about who your audience is and how you will be interacting with them. Ask relevant questions and give honest responses. If youre looking to show employers that you have communication skills then the first thing to do is to figure out just which kind they want. Different employers will emphasise different aspects, and some might surprise you. If you have ever received marks for a presentation then this could be a useful piece of evidence. Another way to show you can communicate is to explain the times when it has been useful to you.

How do I phrase it on a job application?

Do say: This particular situation had arisen and by using these particular communication skills in this way I was able to resolve it. Good communication is often involved in teamwork and problem solving. Demonstrating that you have successfully used communication skills in the real world will be a big boost to this particular part of your application. Having multiple different examples for each skill is a bonus. Dont say: I'm a good communicator. Job applications are less about claiming to have a skill and more about proving that you have it. Not giving full answers, or avoiding the point, is going to count against you here even more than it could elsewhere.

How to develop communication skills

Man the phones! There will normally be a few telephone jobs available around campus. This could be anything from cold-calling alumni for donations, to taking phone calls from vulnerable students. Whatever the case, these skills will definitely stand you in good stead. Volunteering is often a good way to develop your communication skills. For example, if youre befriending elderly people or helping children learn, this will really help your communication skills. Join a society. Plenty of societies actively encourage communication skills. For example; debating societies, comedy clubs, acting groups or student radio. They might not teach you communication skills, but they are an ideal place to generate examples of your skills. If you sit on society committees or residents association councils, and are involved in regular meetings, so much the better. If youre trying to develop communication skills there will be plenty of ways to do so as part of work experience, or part-time jobs. Any situation which involves dealing with a tricky customer or actively selling things to potential buyers will help you gain communication skills. Alternative situations include interviewing people, or even convincing employers to take you on for work experience.

ime management: being ahead of the game

Knowing when and where to direct your efforts can be crucial for graduate hires. Self-management and the ability to work

independently mean that you can look ahead and handle a heavy workload without losing control.

To manage time effectively you need to be able to prioritise and make judgements about what is urgent and what is important.
Time management is also sometimes referred to as self-management or independent working. It is particularly important for graduate jobs because you are likely to be given greater levels of responsibility. You are more than likely to have several different tasks at once, and in order to do your job successfully you will need to be able to coordinate them. You will need to work to several different deadlines, as well as accommodating other work that you may receive. To manage time effectively you need to be able to prioritise and make judgements about what is urgent and what is important.

Time management examples

Time management is tested throughout the recruitment process. For example, no-one is expecting you to get an application in within the first twelve hours that a position is advertised. That would suggest that you havent taken the time to reflect on and tailor your application. On the other hand, getting it in an hour before the deadline wont do you any favours either. Similarly, if youre invited to an interview or an assessment day, being there on time is an absolute must. Your application may not be rejected out of hand if you are late, but it will be a definite mark against you unless you have mitigating circumstances. Perhaps one of the most common ways for employers to test time management skills is with in-tray exercises. These are a test of your reaction times, but also your ability to hold your head under pressure and plan effectively. It is important that you start these exercises by figuring out what all the tasks are and when they are needed by. By putting together a list of priorities you will be able to demonstrate to assessors that even if you dont finish all the tasks, you have an effective plan in place. Other tasks which may test your time management skills include giving presentations and team exercises. In team exercises there may be an appointed timekeeper, but if there isn't you might win bonus points for volunteering. Psychometric tests may also analyse this skill, forcing you to allocate time to answering questions or checking answers.

How do I phrase it on a job application?

Do say: I was managing several different projects at the same time. I was working to different deadlines so I had to divide my time and resources appropriately. I was able to get all of the projects in on time and was immediately given more An explanation of the complexity of the situation, along with your response, is what recruiters are looking for here. Dont say: The pressure of maintaining a social life on top of work and home life meant that I had to develop good time management skills. No-one wants to hear about how tough youve got it, particularly if their schedule is tougher. They want to know about how youre taking care of business.

How to develop time management skills

The good news is that almost all undergraduate degrees involve a bit of time management. This is particularly true when exams are going on, as you will have to juggle revision for a number of different modules at once. This involves figuring out what needs the most attention and when it needs it. The fact that you got the grades to get into university (and hopefully graduate) should be good enough evidence. A really good way to develop time management is by looking after an animal even if youre only pet-sitting while someone is on holiday. They require constant maintenance, and will suffer if you dont keep on top of things. If you feel that the pressures on your time are not impressive enough to mark you out in an interview, then you could consider taking on more work. Commitments to a part-time job or extracurricular activities will divide your time further. You may also find that you develop time management through work experience or internships.

Computer skills: how to meet graduate recruiters' expectations

Employers expect this generations graduates to have IT skills as a matter of course. You have to be willing to take on new technologies, especially when someone turns and says, Youre young; how does this work?

According to a CBI survey, 62% of employers are satisfied with graduates' IT skills, and a further 33% are very satisfied.
IT and computer skills are vital because employers will expect current graduates to have IT skills as a matter of course. In addition, employers will increasingly expect graduates to be familiar with multiple platforms, and devices such as mobiles and tablets. Of course this all depends very much on which industry you go into.

Most desk jobs will only need you to know how to use Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook) and a handful of websites. However, even this might not be as straightforward as you think, and each job has its own particular requirements. For more computer-oriented roles you may be required to know and be able to use one or even several programming languages. In addition, you will be expected to know how to use a range of software and online resources.

Computer skills examples

The good news is that according to a CBI survey, 62% of employers are satisfied with graduates IT skills, and a further 33% are very satisfied. Unless your employer was in the 5% who were less impressed, you shouldnt have much to worry about. However, there is a difference between having a skill, and proving that you have it. Whether you are putting together an application or preparing for an interview, having examples of experience with computers is a good idea. The best way to demonstrate your IT skills is to show that you have been able to use them to positively achieve something whether it would have been impossible or simply a lot harder. The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) is a good way to get your IT skills accredited if you think you need it. If you're looking for a more impressive accreditation then you can become a chartered member of the BCS.

How do I phrase it on a job application?

Do say: I learnt how to use this particular piece of software/website/app, and was able to solve this particular issue which had cropped up. One of the most important aspects of computer and IT skills is a willingness to try new things when you dont know them. This is what will mark you out from the old fogies who distrust innovation. Dont say: Oh yeah, I use the computer all the time to chat to my friends and find out what work I am meant to be doing. You really need to spell out which applications and software you have used. Furthermore saying that your primary use for computers is social media is nearly as bad as putting socialising on your list of interests on your CV.

How to develop IT and computer skills

Students are well known for spending a lot of time in front of computers. However, if youre looking for specific ways to develop your IT skills, there are a couple of suggestions:

Run your own blog. Web logs (if you want to be pedantic) are a good place to learn about the basics of website design and programming languages. Depending on the topic you choose they can also be a good way to develop commercial awareness. Develop an app. For the advanced learners out there building an app is a good way to learn how to develop a programme from start to finish. Making it publicly available is also a good way to show companies that you have an entrepreneurial outlook. Organise the hell out of a student society. Student societies change hands every year, and are frequently less than perfectly organised. However, you can sort out calendars, budgets and risk assessments with a couple of Excel spreadsheets.

Enterprise skills: seizing opportunities and seeing them through

Using your initiative, being proactive, and getting things done without waiting for someone else to tell you to: that's enterprising. Graduates with strong enterprise skills can spot an opportunity and work its advantage.

Having evidence of a clear plan which paid off is likely to win you points, as is having a solid figure to quantify on your success.
Graduate recruits with enterprise skills are an asset to a company because they will be able to spot gaps in the market and innovate, and because they are commercially minded. Graduate job seekers can showcase their strengths in this area by demonstrating a capacity for independent work and original thinking, as well as sound business sense and an interest in the market that their potential employer operates in. Enterprise skills are effectively a combination of other competencies, including:

commercial awareness

creativity communication skills.

Graduate employers looking for enterprise skills

KPMG looks for applicants who can identify and seize business opportunities. This might sound like another way of phrasing commercial awareness, but graduates interested in applying should note the focus on being ready to act. Candidates should be able to present an understanding of the wider issues around KPMGs business. Students who are seeking careers in investment banking could find that recruiters expect them to take an enterprising approach to financial markets. Gemma Adams, vice-president of recruitment for Mitsubishi UFJ Securities International (MUSI), asks: Are you virtual trading? Do you have your own portfolio? Are you a member of a society where youve done something innovative? Give us an example dont just give us the standard, Im really keen on the markets, because anyone can say that. We really need to see a bit of evidence. Employers in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry look for recruits who can respond swiftly and decisively to a constantly changing business environment. For example, Mars looks for initiative and drive to implement new ideas. The combination of initiative and commercial sense is also a great asset for would-be lawyers.

Enterprise skills examples

Enterprise skills are likely to be assessed through practical exercises such as a business case study, which could be set at an assessment centre. This usually involves assessing information about a business in a particular situation and coming up with recommendations to benefit the company. It will be easier to approach this with confidence if your industry knowledge is up to date. Assessment centre exercises can also reveal how enterprising you are by testing your ability to solve problems and think creatively. Graduate recruiters will seek to establish whether candidates have the commercial awareness that is a fundamental aspect of enterprise skills by asking interview questions that test market knowledge.

How do I phrase it on a job application?

Do say: I established a fundraising project for a local charity. I identified a target audience and used a suitable tactic to encourage them to donate. In the end I managed to raise an amount that exceeded my projections. Having evidence of a clear plan which paid off is likely to win you points, as is having a solid figure to quantify on your success. However, if you were involved in an enterprise that didnt turn a profit, that could be useful material too, as you could discuss what went wrong and how you would do things differently with the benefit of hindsight. Dont say: I took on a role in a student society and made a point of ensuring we stuck with the same fundraising activities that the previous committee had established. I think its always best to stick with whats tried and tested.

How to develop enterprise skills

Plenty of universities run entrepreneurial societies and getting involved in one, particularly as a council member, is a good way to learn how to build enterprise skills. If your university doesnt

have a society for entrepreneurs, setting one up could be a brilliant way to learn enterprise skills. In fact, establishing any society will be helpful. It is also possible to develop these skills in a part-time job or work experience placement, for example, if you come up with a suggestion that could help the company make improvements. You would need to get your managers approval before trying your idea out (which could help you develop your persuasion and influencing skills). Record how successful it is, and make modifications to it as required.

Essential skills and competencies: be on top of the basics

To offer recruiters the best package possible, show them you've mastered the basics. That includes writing, reading, numeracy, presentation, organisation, stamina, confidence and the ability to work under pressure.
Graduate employers place a lot of emphasis on finding candidates with the right skills and competencies for their organisations. There could be very specific skills, abilities and knowledge needed to do the job. However, complementing these are general competences and behaviours that are essential for successful working. These basic skills are often overlooked by candidates, but they are the things recruitment professionals want to see evidence of.

Writing
For some reason some students arts students particularly believe that long and complex words make them seem smarter. Sadly this is not the case. In fact it misses the whole point of writing, which is to communicate information to someone without having to be there to explain it. Many graduate recruiters ask you to submit online application forms but also want you to attach a CV and covering letter. You need to show that you can write clearly and succinctly in all these different formats. Spelling and grammar mistakes will count against you.

Numeracy
Much like writing, this is a skill you should have built up over the years. However, if you dropped mathematics after GCSEs you may need to brush up with a bit of basic numeracy. If you cant answer 7 x 8 instantly this means you! If you need evidence that you can do the sums then try looking at your student budget. Figuring out how a weekly rent, along with bills, food and spending money, will affect them is one of the main ways students use numeracy, especially if some costs are split or shared with housemates.

Literacy
Literacy is all about reading and understanding. You can show your literacy skills by following instructions on an application form for a graduate scheme to the letter. If you are invited to an assessment centre, you may be set an exercise in which you are given a sheaf of documents to read.

You might then have to produce a summary report, or come up with recommendations based on the documents. This is a test of both your comprehension and analytical skills.

Presentation
This skill set is closely linked to communication. What is important here is the ability to visually or verbally present information in a way that is accessible to your entire audience. Some graduates may not get a chance to practise their presentation skills, but that does not mean they do not have them. Examples of presentation skills include any time when you may have addressed a group of people. If you have spoken to a club or society, in a seminar or as part of an event, you could use this as evidence. Answering a lecturers question in a lesson doesnt count, but giving an extended explanation to the whole class does.

Organisation
This skill involves sorting information or objects so that they are easy to find when they are needed. Time management is a good example of your organisation skills. Think about how you plan a revision timetable allocating blocks of revision time to different subjects, weighting them towards which exams come first and which ones need the most studying. Juggling study and part-time work can also give you examples of your organisational skills to use in your job applications and interviews. You can use technology to help you get organised too. For example, you could clean out your email inbox, tidy up your online footprint, or coordinate calendars with colleagues and classmates.

Stamina
Employers want to recruit candidates who are resilient, and the ability to overcome setbacks will keep you going during your job hunt. At some point or other, many graduates will start to feel fatigued by looking for jobs. Take this post on the TARGETjobs student blog as an example. The most important thing here is to keep at it. As more than one sportsperson has said: You miss 100% of the shots you dont take. You might not be getting interviews from your applications, but if you dont apply at all, you never will. The more effort you put into applications and in particular the more effort you put into each one the more likely they are to be successful.

Ability to work under pressure

This is about keeping calm in a crisis and not becoming too overwhelmed or stressed. It is practically impossible to finish your education without taking exams, and these are a good starting point if you need to demonstrate this skill. If you are part of a sports team, or drama group, then these can also be used as examples. You will have had to perform in front of an audience, and the other members of your team will have been relying on you to do your part.

Confidence
In the workplace you need to strike the balance of being confident in yourself but not arrogant. You also have confidence in your colleagues and the company you work for. This is something that will come across in a job interview. You will feel nervous, but if you engage fully with the employers, and remain upbeat, then your confidence should come across. Employers want people to have a bit of get-up-and-go. Working life presents many challenges and you need to show employers that you're the kind of person who will find a way through, even when the going gets tough... and stay cheerful-ish.

Top tips for developing the skills employers want

Make the most of university life and extra-curricular activities to develop your general skills. Visit your university's careers service: find out whether it runs any employability skills sessions; sign up for relevant courses and workshops; get help from a careers adviser to write a CV that really showcases your competences and abilities. Take advantage of careers fairs and employer presentations: talk direct to recruiters to find out what they look for. Plan early to get relevant work experience and voluntary work which will give you transferables that will make you work ready: have something lined up for each vacation, and get ready for formal placement and internship applications at the beginning of your second year. Religiously record the skills you gain and work experience activities you do so that you can pull out good examples on applications and in interviews. Always do your homework before applying for jobs. Employer research will help you identify the skills and competences a particular organisation places most emphasis on. In turn, you can tailor your application so that it stands out.

Emotional intelligence: what it takes to work with others

We all have our own individual ways of behaving and interacting. Somehow we all have to work together. This takes emotional intelligence. You can understand why graduate recruiters want it.

Sometimes working life requires a bit of thought

Rather than asking you for evidence, assessors will observe your reactions and attitudes to different situations and how adept you are at dealing with them.

Emotional intelligence and empathy are essential for customer-facing roles and employers are increasingly seeking candidates with emotional intelligence. This is particularly true for roles that will involve working in a team, which covers the majority of graduate jobs. Emotional intelligence is all about understanding what might be going through someone elses head, without them having to explain it to you. This skill enables you to second-guess other peoples reactions, and will help you build constructive relationships. It is very much linked up with communication skills. However, it is also important for leadership and teamwork.

Graduate employers looking for emotional intelligence

Gregg Carnaffan, graduate development manager at HSBC Bank says: If youre going to be successful you need emotional intelligence. This is an awareness of how your actions affect other people, and how your behaviour is influencing them. Also the ability to pick up, verbally and nonverbally, the mood of other people, and more or less predict how theyre feeling before they come and tell you. Financial services provider UBS expects all graduates and interns to be able to show communication and impact. People are expected to chip in with their thoughts, but without being aggressive or combative to get their way. Teach First's online application form is devised to establish whether candidates are in tune with the organisation's values of humility, respect and empathy. Expect to be asked when you have made a commitment to work with people who are different to yourself. Teach First is particularly interested in any experience you may have of teaching or charity or voluntary work.

Emotional intelligence examples

This trait is most likely to be tested at the interview and assessment centre stages of the application process. Rather than asking you for evidence, assessors will observe your reactions and attitudes to different situations and how adept you are at dealing with them. Empathy and emotional intelligence is all about being sensitive and making sure people are happy. Exercises where they are observed:

In-tray and leadership exercises Situational judgement psychometric tests Group exercises.

How do I phrase it on a job application?

Do say: I was forced to make a decision between two team members for a particular role. They were both quite keen and while I chose the most suitable candidate, I made sure they both felt va lued. This suggests that the applicant has an understanding of how emotional intelligence might be applied in a business situation. They have stuck to their priority of assigning the right person, but they have also ensured that the team is happy and will function well. Dont say: I once reduced someone on my team to tears, but pushing everyone hard got results. Employers will be looking for constructive examples of you using this competency. The applicant has undermined their relationship with the third party; not something an employer would be impressed by.

How to develop emotional intelligence

The best way to gain emotional intelligence is to take on a role that involves plenty of regular human interaction. A lot of volunteering roles are relevant here, particularly those where you are working with the disabled or vulnerable on a regular basis. You might also be able to build up these skills as part of a part-time job. This is most likely to happen when the job involves working with other people, whether they are staff members or customers. It may be that you swapped shifts with someone so that they could attend an important event, even though you would have preferred not to. Complaints handling is particularly relevant for this skill. These skills can also be built up when you are involved in student societies, particularly sports clubs or drama groups. In each case emotions can run high and a bit of sensitivity in the right place can make the difference between the society working well or failing.

Customer care: the hard business skill with a soft edge

Every graduate employer knows that customer satisfaction is an investment in their business. Graduates need to give clients and customers the same care and attention they would give their boss.

At an assessment centre, customer care might be assessed when you are working on a group exercise.
You might think sales skills and negotiation are about making or saving as much money as possible. However, that is only possible and sustainable if employees attend to customer care. These days it is all about helping a customer to make a decision that is right for them, making sure they feel well treated by the company, and making them want to do more business. These skills are necessary in every customer-facing position, but are equally relevant in other, less obvious roles. For example, in the police force investigating officers will need customer care skills when talking to witnesses. In logistics, a distribution manager will have to juggle resources to make sure that operations run smoothly, which is likely to involve negotiation.

Whats involved here is:

Communication Commercial awareness Organisation

Graduate employers looking for customer care

One particularly good example is Santander, which focuses on results, the client and customers. They place a very high value on candidates having obtained a significant amount of customer-focused work experience, and expect this of internship applicants too. For example, you might have worked for two months (not necessarily in a continuous stretch) in a role that involved face to face or telephone contact with the public, customers or clients. This role could be part time or voluntary. Sainsbury's regards delivering excellent service as the core of its business. Graduate recruits spend the first four months of their training programme in one of its retail stores, getting to grips with the reality of providing customer service. Customer care is also vital in the consulting business. Edward Rutherford, senior manager of Corporate Value Associates London office, said: Consultants are hired by clients for a wide range of reasons, from the highly technical to the highly political. A strong adviser, while always mindful of a clients particular circumstances, must be prepa red to take a position and defend it rigorously, even if this is not what the client wants to hear.

Customer care examples

This skill is another one that is more likely to be tested with practical exercises. At an assessment centre it might be one of the competencies that are tested when you are working on a group exercise. For example, you may be asked to solve a theoretical problem with a client. By incorporating customer care into your plan you will be able to show the assessors that you are thinking of the longterm, not just the immediate challenge. Alternatively, it might be measured in an interview. For example you might be asked to sell something like a paperclip to the assessor. In such tests you have to identify a reason why the other person needs a particular product. You are also likely to be asked what you would do if a client has a complaint, or returns goods, claiming they are faulty.

How do I show off my customer care skills on a job application?

Do say: I was dealing with a customer who couldnt decide between two choices. I helped them to pick the option that was best for them and sold them the appropriate support package as well. Here you are demonstrating customer care as well as the fact that you have an eye for a sale. Dont say: I dealt with a particularly annoying customer by keeping my cool and got them to buy the most expensive product. They might not come back, but its no loss to us. Actually businesses do care if you lose customers, even the annoying ones. Some might appreciate the fact that youve made them more money, but without the focus on customer care this only shows that you are thinking about the short-term.

How to develop customer care skills

A good way to develop customer care is to do some part-time or holiday work in a customer services call centre. This will give you a good insight into the variety of different issues and the different levels of frustration and annoyance that can come up. You might also find jobs on campus

with IT or library support services. These may be a little more hands-on, although they can require specific skills and knowledge. In fact, any job where you regularly come into contact with the public is likely to help you build up these skills. Someone stacking shelves in a supermarket would expect to occasionally direct a customer to the right aisle for a product. Asking whether they need any other help is a good example of customer care. Another really good way to develop up these skills is to become a representative. There are usually opportunities to become a course rep or halls rep right from your first year. These roles are usually under-subscribed, but are essential in helping the universities reflect the needs and wants of the student body.