Hi, I’m Anna – I work as a Student Employability Coach in Careers! Getting work experience can often be like an endless cycle of needing experience to get experience, but if there’s one thing I’ve learnt working here, anything can be experience and there are skills to be found in everything. Read on for some of my key tips to make the most of your experience, even if you don’t have any:
“I don’t have any experience related to my field”
Something I hear a lot in Careers, and while field-specific experience can be great, transferable skills are important too and can be drawn from anywhere! Have you:
- Waited on tables, taken orders, wiped down counters?
Or have you:
- Developed interpersonal skills such as active listening and non-verbal communication skills and also maintained an organised, clean environment which ensured high-quality customer service?
Employers are always looking for key transferable skills such as communication and organisation; volunteering and part-time jobs are a great place to showcase these skills – you might just need to add a little bit of pizzazz (but don’t lie).
Use your degree
Uni experience is still experience! You do so much within your degree, it would be a waste not to mention it - especially as this can be a good source for field-specific technical skills such as lab and software skills, as well as transferable skills like presenting and teamwork. If you’ve done a presentation/group project on a topic that a company specialises in, it shows your interest in the field and foregrounding that will help your Education section stand out amongst other candidates.
Societies count too
Societies, either on the committee or as a member helping out at events, are a great place to develop transferable skills like communication and networking. They also highlight your interests outside work. Getting stuck into things shows drive and initiative, demonstrating to employers you are a strong candidate excited and ready to work for them.
Online courses
If you really don’t have anything to talk about, then online resources are a great way to get started. Have a look at My Employability Profile for a range of resources and workshops hosted by Careers and other University departments.
You can also access LinkedIn Learning via the Library (which the University subscribes to, so it’s free).
Final thought
The place where most students slip up is not from their lack of experience, it’s tailoring it to what you’re applying for; employers want to know how you can use your communication, leadership or collaboration skills in the role. They’re not hugely concerned where you got it, whether in a group project, helping out at a badminton competition, or working in restaurant.
If you need any support, Careers is always open 10am-4pm Monday to Friday during term time. Drop in and speak to us and we’d be happy to help (stand opposite Fresh then turn left).
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