Improve Your Employability Prospects 🎓 

Understanding what employers seek is crucial. Our University of Law’s “Assessing Your Employability” guide underlines that recruiters typically look for:

Let’s break this down!

If you already know the career you want, it is important to have conversations with Employability Advisers about the key skills you need to develop. For example, if you’re aiming to become a solicitor, you’ll need great attention to detail, excellent communication, and strong organisational skills. The good news? Universities often offer initiatives, workshops, and volunteering opportunities to help you grow these skills!

On the other hand, if you’re unsure about your future career or what job you want to do, university is the perfect safe space to explore different options. Maybe you’re a Criminology student who’s curious about working in prisons or probation services? So why not go on a prison tour? Or perhaps you are a Psychology student who is interested in becoming a Mental Health Specialist? Volunteering at a local mental health charity can be eye-opening and boost your CV. Your careers and employability team will likely have connections with local businesses and charities to help you find these opportunities. Pro tip: ask about this during your open day visits!

Gaining work experience can seem daunting and even impossible, but there are numerous opportunities available:

Commercial awareness means understanding the business world and the factors that influence it. It shows you are not just a theoretical student, but also a student who understands the bigger picture. If you are interested in a legal career, there are publications such as The Law Society Gazette and The Lawyer, which can offer a deeper insight into the latest sector news! For further information on commercial awareness see our Commercial Awareness Blog.

Ask questions, try new things and reflect on your journey. A simple way to start building your employability skills is after every event or skills development opportunity you undertake, write a short 2-3 sentence reflection on what you learned. Over time, these notes will help you craft a strong CV and compelling cover letters for job applications.
The more you invest now, the better your prospects will be when it is time to launch your career.

What’s One Skill or Experience you Want to Develop During your Time at University? Share Below! 👇