Identifying your work experience

There's no such thing as an inexperienced graduate.

Whether you've studied English, Engineering, Medicine, or Philosophy, your time as a student will have helped you gain valuable skills that you can apply to the demands of the working world. Even if you have no 'work experience' to put on your CV, you have plenty to offer.

The easiest way to take stock of these skills is to consider your time at university as if it had been a job.

Ask yourself: what did I do, what did I learn, and how did I learn it?

If you take this approach when thinking about the 'skills required' section of a job description, you might find you're in a better position than you first thought.

Here's a few examples of some assignments you might have undertaken, and the transferable skills they help to develop:

• Written Assignments:
  Written communication, organisation, analysis, logical / methodological approaches, MS Office skills, data entry
• Presentations:
  Oral communication, public speaking
• Dissertation:
  Independent study, attention to detail, research, prioritizing workloads
• Group Projects:
  Teamwork, leadership skills (coordination, delegation), interpersonal skills
• Exams:
  Working under pressure, preparation, concentration, time management

Don't forget to also think about what you've gained from your specific subject area.

Whatever you studied, as a graduate you've got a wealth of skills that can be moulded to the needs of prospective employers.