Your degree

There is no doubt that your degree is at the heart of your experience at university, but you also need to recognise the additional layers within the model. Your degree undeniably provides you with a technical and generic skill set that makes you proficient in your field of study, but extracurricular activities can broaden your experience and portfolio of skills.

A degree allows you to enter the arena, but it is your involvement in developing relevant employability skills that will differentiate you from the competition and help you secure a graduate position.

Generic employability skills

The core generic skills outlined in the model give students an indication of graduate recruiters’ expectations. These skills are generic in nature and are not industry-specific. They form the basis of standard requirements expected from graduates. As a result, regardless of your discipline, you must be able to provide a practical demonstration of how you have developed these skills through work experience and extracurricular activities.

By actively engaging with the development of these skills you will be able to provide comprehensive examples to support your applications and in interviews for graduate positions.

Use the list of skills below to rate yourself.

Which of the skills are your strengths and weaknesses? Grade yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 in relation to the skills listed. Now use your scores to develop an action plan with SMART goals to identify how you are going to develop these skills while at university. Complete the table below for each skill.

Individual contribution

The individual elements of the model recognise a student’s individuality. Every student will have a different history and experiences that will separate them so we cannot ignore background and how this impacts, both positively and negatively, on future development. Students also interact with different elements of the model based on personal preferences and personalities and, as a result, no two students can have the same experience.

Your future

The world of work is continually changing, spinning faster than our ability to keep up. If you are to maintain your ability to be employable you need to anticipate the direction of change and how it will impact you, your employer and your need for additional skills. The impact of technological change on every aspect of the way we work, live, interact and connect has a far-reaching effect on the way we manage the development of our employability skills.

Technology introduces a level of uncertainty – a level of continued anticipation of what next. It is this backdrop of uncertainty that should propel us into continually questioning whether our current skill set is marketable. Do you have a unique selling point that will allow you to compete for a new position?

Collaboration

Your ability to collaborate will underpin your success. Due to a wide range of skills across multiple disciplines that are needed to complete projects, your success will be determined by your ability to work collaboratively. The connected way in which we work will see teams being formed virtually – and not just in your organisation but in conjunction with other companies and across the globe.

Digital impact

Technology is continually changing, which ultimately impacts on the skills required by industry. The future of your employability skills will be determined by your ability to continually update your skills, but also your ability to identify trends and possible disruptions that will transform your industry. Companies will also favour employees who can translate new technological advancements into new products, services or business processes.

Adaptability

The ability to adapt, to be flexible and resilient are all required. It is not a question of if change is coming but when and how disruptive it will be. If you want to maintain your ability to sell your skills in the marketplace or even just maintain your position with your current employer you need to adapt. Adapting is also about the way we work, where we work and how we work. The only definite aspect of our future is change.

Integrity

All organisations have a set of values, a set of beliefs that they expect their employees to abide by. It is important to ensure you not only know what your values are but that you can demonstrate them in the way you conduct yourself. Integrity also applies to your ability to be professional, your ability to observe and adhere to the rules and processes of your employers. Honesty in today’s graduate job market is an attribute valued by employers.

Storytelling

Now you have decided on your individual brand, your strengths and the areas where you excel, how do you communicate all of your greatness to an employer? One way to convey this is by weaving your skills into a well-crafted story. Everyone loves a story, whether it has a good or bad ending. The ability to tell a good story enables you to not only convey the facts to an interviewer but to build a rapport.

Tell your story

• Create an interesting strap line: An example of when I overcame a challenge is when. . .
• Set the scene: What was your role? What did you do? What did you have to lose? I was winning the race until. . . The project was a success. . .
• Provide a brief outline of the task: Paint the picture of the situation for the interviewer. Give them an idea of what was at stake.
• How you saved the day (or not as the case might be): Outline your specific actions. What did you do? Show how you used your skills from your degree, your extracurricular activities, and your personal attributes to complete the task.
• What was the outcome?: Stories do not always have a happy ending, so it’s perfectly fine if you didn’t achieve your goal. Show that you reflected on what you might have done better, and how you would approach the task differently next time.

Lilly Zhang

How to prepare for the world of work

• Research careers, attend open days, careers workshops and employer talks.
• Develop commercial understanding.
• Undertake work experience or paid employment to help develop transferable skills.
• Build networks both with peers and employers, e.g. use social media such as LinkedIn.
• Be yourself!

Lucy Crittenden, Graduate Recruitment Manager, Reed Smith

Elevator pitch

An elevator pitch is a concise way of stating who you are and what you do, but including an interesting fact about yourself. The reason it is called an elevator pitch is that it denotes the time you have to make an impression between the ground floor and the top floor on an elevator ride. You should be able to introduce yourself within one minute and convey an interesting fact about your skills. Make sure you know your speciality – what makes you unique.

Imagine you get in the lift with an individual you admire. How would you introduce yourself to create an impression? Practise developing a concise introduction stating who you are, what you do and a unique fact about how you perform your job.

Mentors

A mentor is a valuable asset at any point in your career. They can provide an insight into possible career options, offer advice prior to an interview and act as a sounding board for all major decisions. Mentoring can be part of an established programme or an informal relationship.

To make the most of a mentoring relationship, take the time to identify what you hope to gain from the relationship, establish clear goals and aims at the start and schedule all of your meetings for the duration of the programme.

Having an experienced mentor can be a benefit both during and after the programme. If you really connect, your mentor relationship can extend past the mentoring scheme to become part of your personal network.

Building your network

A broad network of people will give you an insight into a world of opportunity. Friends of friends will be able to provide you with access to people, information and opportunities. Your network will consist of individuals who are like-minded, but also individuals who would not immediately be seen as your peer. The broader your network, the wider your reach.

Traditional face-to-face networking can involve formal networking events, but also casual conversations over the photocopier. Try not to always see networking as what’s in it for you, but look at the wider picture. How can you create situations that will benefit others? Ultimately people will remember you when an opportunity arises that is of interest to you.

Your online network

With the increase of social networking it is just as important to build an online network. LinkedIn provides a platform for social networking with professionals, giving rise to opportunities to connect with alumni, industry professionals and business-related groups. The first step in networking online is to create a LinkedIn profile. (See Chapter 5.)

Your profile is key to networking online as this is how others will find you. LinkedIn can also make it easier for you to not only research companies but also find out about new vacancies. It provides you with an overview of the company and possible opportunities. If anyone in your network works or is connected to the company, it will highlight how you can be recommended through your personal network. This is an excellent mechanism for utilising your network. The discussion groups facilitate discussions with professionals in your chosen career, as well as give you the ability to find out more about career choices.

‘Your network is your networth.’ This is one of the many slogans thrown around the Elevation Networks office, and one of the charity’s founding principles. People don’t realise how important networking is until they need something. With six degrees of separation, it is quite possible that your dream employer might be one or two people away from you. LinkedIn is a great example, as it shows you how you may be connected to a total stranger.

Networking allows you to meet potential employers or business partners, gain free advice and develop your communication skills in the process. As a student, you are next in line to fill many of the jobs available, but are you connected enough? Having the right qualifications and experiences is fantastic but sometimes knowing the hiring manager or a director in a certain industry could potentially open up doors. Networking is the key to unlocking unfound opportunities.

What to do and not do when networking

Introduce yourself and what you currently do using the elevator pitch technique. Keep it sweet, short and concise.

Smile, listen and learn from what is being said. There is so much value in free knowledge.

Follow up with any contacts made within 48 hours. Typically, try to do it in 24 hours but at worst no longer than 48 hours as you will still be fresh in people’s mind.

Don’t get too personal. You want to build a rapport with the person but it is not the best place to bring up family, finance or friendship issues.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is your chance to gain free knowledge and advice so grab this opportunity with both hands.

Don’t stick to one person. The whole purpose of networking is to talk to as many people you don’t know as possible, so don’t just stick to one person or stick with people you know. Even if you feel less confident, you and a friend can approach people together.

Femi Awoyemi, Neet Engagement Coordinator,
Elevation Networks

Opportunities to network

Attending conferences and professional body meetings are a good way to start networking, but there are many more options. Individuals who are passionate about your discipline will create informal networking groups to provide opportunities to network with like-minded professionals.

Eventbrite (www.eventbrite.co.uk/) is a great website to find out about events. Also look for organisations that are linked to your field. A Meetup groups (www.meetup.com) is another avenue to network. Join groups which are directly linked to your career and also those which you are simply interested in finding out more about. There are thousands of Meetup groups and some are more active than others, but it is definitely an opportunity to widen your friendship group and ultimately your network. If you are truly passionate about getting involved, why not start your own Meetup group or organise your own event on Eventbrite.

Make yourself stand out

• It’s easy to get lost in the crowd at university when classes can often be lectures addressed to hundreds of students. To stand out, take a proactive role in getting to know your lecturers, especially your advisors. Your professors can be invaluable sources of advice, guidance and networking support in the real world since many of them work or have relationships in the business world as well as the university community.
• Remember your profile information is now out there potentially for everyone to peruse. Prospective employers, networkers and colleagues have access to pictures of you. Remember to keep it appropriate if you are going to use your profile for professional networking.
• Upon joining a professional organisation, consider attending a conference or event sponsored by the group. There you will meet professionals already working in the field who are more than willing to assist the next generation. You may also receive publications from the organisation that list job openings and career advice for young professionals interested in the field.
• Consider creating a networking card. This is simply a business card for people who are not yet in business. A simple card with your name and email address or phone number is all you need.
  • When preparing for your future or developing a professional network, business cards are like golden tickets. Collect business cards when meeting people and always make sure to follow up with an email or letter soon after. Keep the business cards you collect in a safe place for quick and easy reference later on.
  • Finding a mentor is especially important at university, when you’re at a critical point in your career development. If you can align yourself with people already practising in your selected field, you can learn all kinds of insights that you won’t learn in the classroom. When you let it be known that you’re looking for someone to help guide you in your career, you may be surprised at how many people offer to lend a hand.

Carol René, Enterprise Lead Information and
Data Architect, Shell International Petroleum Company

Impress employers with your extracurricular activities

I graduated with a third-class degree, but I still secured a graduate position upon graduation. It was my extracurricular activities that impressed my interviewers. I was able to demonstrate practical examples of employability skills and my achievements.

I had run several successful events at university, helped run the student union radio station and raised £1,000 for charity. What I lacked in a degree, I made up for with my extracurricular activities. Sure, I wish I had graduated with a first, but I am now studying for my Masters.

A human resources management graduate

• The I Brand employability model defines three layers to developing your employability: the degree, generic employability skills and individual contribution.
• Employability is a continuous cycle as you need to continually update your skills.
• Develop an action plan to identify the skills you need to develop.
• Find a mentor to help navigate both your degree and your career.
• Networking is an excellent way to increase your opportunities as you never know who the people you meet can introduce you to.
• Create a LinkedIn profile as it is important to have an online profile to support your personal networking efforts.