As a student, it can be daunting to think about the transition from scholar to employee. After years of lectures, workshops, assessments, cooking on a budget and socialising, the leap to the workplace is often difficult to imagine.
But while you’ve been studying, you’ll have developed many qualities that make you far more employable than you may realise – think metacognition skills (that’s critical thinking), an ability to hit deadlines, and money management nous (anybody who can live on a budget of 85p a day is a financial genius). There’s more good news: due to the skills shortage, organisations are fighting for young talent. In fact, 80% of businesses are planning to hire staff in the current year, according to a survey by the recruitment company Hays.
The University of Law knows all about preparing people for the world of work. Employability is embedded into all of its courses, and 94% of its postgraduate students are in highly skilled occupations 15 months after graduating.
Here, Marco Mongiello, pro vice-chancellor at The University of Law Business School, shares advice on what you should be doing to prepare yourself for today’s job market, because, even when employers are fighting for talent, there’s always competition for the best roles.
Make use of your critical-thinking skills
“If you want to come across as credible to employers, the critical thinking you’ve acquired at university will be a big help. Instead of giving textbook answers in an interview, start a dialogue with your interviewer and engage with them. Don’t be afraid of scenario questions where you might be asked to devise solutions for a product that is struggling to sell online, engage with the interviewer by applying your critical thinking – for example, you may ask what happened to a previous service that disappeared from the market.
“Rather than just explaining things you learned at university, use them in a practical way instead. Think of a carpenter. They might want to show off their sophisticated new hammer, but people aren’t interested in that. Instead, they want the carpenter to use the hammer to solve a problem. It’s the same with your academic knowledge – use it to find solutions.”
Get the most out of your part-time job
“Part-time jobs are a fantastic way to develop employability skills, but if you view your job as something where you can work as little as possible, you won’t learn much. If you’re waiting tables in a cafe, for example, volunteer to do the accounts to get financial experience, or devise a solution for the chef who gets stressed when goods they’ve ordered don’t arrive on time. Show that you can think critically and add value beyond your prescribed tasks. Don’t forget: if you’ve managed to increase customers or save costs, these are quantifiable metrics that are brilliant to add to your CV or LinkedIn profile.”
Develop teamwork skills
“Being a good leader isn’t about being in charge, but about the ability to make other members of a team contribute at their best. Being able to motivate others is a cultural intelligence employers love – these skills are usually acquired on the job, but they can also be picked up in team sports or university clubs or societies, and indeed while working on your coursework in teams.”
Build your LinkedIn profile ...
“Many students think there’s nothing to put on their LinkedIn because they have no experience. Firstly, remember all successful entrepreneurs started with a blank CV. You can also enhance your profile by including any relevant experience – no matter how small – such as summer charity work, progress made in a part-time job or challenges you’ve faced during your studies. Follow any organisations you’d like to work for and keep your profile relevant (that prize you won at primary school has a definite expiry date) and consistent across platforms, and reflected in your CV.”
… and start networking there now
“If you’ve identified an organisation you’d like to work for, you can start engaging with the CEO by commenting on blogposts they’ve posted on LinkedIn. It’s a great way to get yourself on their radar and mark yourself out as a thought leader. But make sure you engage with them; demanding they give you a job is a surefire way to burn your chances. You could also try contacting university alumni working within that organisation to learn more about the company and get them on side.”
Make sure your digital footprint is squeaky-clean
“Don’t be alarmed, but employers will browse your social media when considering you for a job. And if they spy disgraceful shots of you and your friends on Instagram, they probably won’t select you for an interview. Try to weave in some business nous to your posts, too. For example, if you showcase your surfing hobby on Instagram, post some content about surf entrepreneurs – it shows potential employers you’re thinking about business.”
Tailor your application towards the role
“One of the biggest mistakes students make when hunting for a job is adopting a ‘scattergun’ approach, such as sending out hundreds of the same covering letter to employers. A more effective way to land a job is to curate your covering letter, making it bespoke to the job spec and company – and, yes, this is yet another way to engage.”
Speak with university staff and alumni
“Most university tutors are more than happy to help students. We have a lot of leads, and can connect students to businesspeople on LinkedIn, send an email to a CEO we know, or provide entrepreneurial support or directions.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re still undecided about which career to pursue
“Some students know their passion and, of course, should absolutely pursue that. But many have no idea what to do after graduation, which is no problem either.
“I always encourage people to read Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein. It’s about keeping your opportunities open for as long as possible – one example cited by Epstein is Roger Federer, who dabbled in a variety of sports including skiing and wrestling, before deciding on tennis. When you’re 20, you still have a chance to become a doctor, an engineer or pilot, or indeed launch your own business.
“If you end up leaving university and being an assistant to a florist, it could be great – you could learn new skills, develop a passion for horticulture, or find a brilliant business idea. So many entrepreneurs started this way. Remember: hyper-specialisation is a thing of the past. These days, skills such as being creative and being able to navigate the gig economy may prove much more valuable than getting into a specific career.”
Find out more about the careers and employability support at The University of Law
