When searching for a job, students can find themselves swamped with information and advice about how to make themselves attractive to employers, leaving them feeling overwhelmed. Some employers might state that they value good communication over organisation skills; others might prioritise time management over good teamwork.
Truly it really will depend on the industry you wish to work in, the role you are applying for and the specific qualities sought by an employer.
Nevertheless, a good place to start is to hear from some employers themselves about what they value most when they are looking to hire graduates.
First up is Alvin Ng, the vice-president and general manager for Johnson Controls Singapore. In this excerpt from the new bite-size online learning course from THE Student and Common Purpose, Alvin explains why clear and simple communication skills are key in the graduate job search, and he outlines some common mistakes that young graduates can learn to avoid.
In this second clip, Alvin states that there are certain qualities that will always give students an edge when applying for jobs. Check out his advice below to see which qualities will set you apart from other applicants.
Hsern-Wei Ling, executive director at PwC Malaysia, states that if he could go back to university, he would focus more on cultivating and developing teamwork skills because he believes that most graduates will need those at some point in their career.
And finally, when applying for graduate jobs it’s very likely that you might face a few noes before receiving your final yes. As disheartening as this may be, it’s unfortunately a common part of the job hunting process. Sarah Cant, lead associate at Willis Towers Watson, advises that it’s best not to take these personally because they won’t be a reflection of you and your qualities but more likely an indication that these positions are inundated with applicants.
These videos are excerpts from the new bite-size online learning course from THE Student and Common Purpose, Skills Now: Maximise your employability.
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