Selecting My Skills

Futures Skills Bank

The skills listed here are some of the key skills most employers look for.

It is likely you will be asked to evidence a range of these skills during the recruitment process.

They are provided as a guide to help you identify the skills you want to develop; however you can choose other skills not listed here should they be more appropriate to you and your future career path.

When selecting the skills you want to focus on for the award, you may want to do some research to find out which skills are in demand for your chosen industry, sector or role. If you don’t know what you want to do when you finish university you may want to choose skills which link in with a role or activity you are currently undertaking.

Work Experience

The term ‘work experience’ in the activity section on the following pages refers to any of the following:

A part-time job Roles with Jobs4students Placements Internships Unpaid work experience

Employers consistently seek and require graduates who have some type of work experience. Whilst it is preferable to have experience relevant to the industry you want to enter, any type of work experience has value and will help you gain the skills you’ll need when looking for a graduate job.

Attitudes

We have also listed a number of attitudes (sometimes referred to as mind-sets, values or attributes) to the skills bank which you can also choose to select.

Employers are increasingly valuing these ‘soft’ skills over experience or level of qualification, so it is essential that you can demonstrate the right (positive) attitude.

The skills bank gives you a description of a wide selection of key competencies, along

with example activities where you might develop that skill.

Skills Description Example ActivityThe type of activity, which may develop or demonstrate this skill.

Adaptability (flexibility)

Also referred to as flexibility or resilience, this is the ability to adapt to change; being open to new ideas and concepts; working on multiple tasks or in different roles. To demonstrate adaptability you might refer to planning ahead, putting alternative plans in place in case things change or go wrong, undertaking multiple tasks, projects or roles at the same time, or undergoing a period of significant change. With the modern workplace becoming a more rapidly changing environment, this skill is much in demand by employers.

Studying abroad and adapting to the changes and challenges it brings.

Managing part-time work and extra-curricular activities alongside studies and other responsibilities.

Event management and project experience.

Work experience where you have had to change plans or juggle multiple tasks and priorities.

Commercial Awareness*

Showing knowledge and understanding of a specific business and industry, and its broader contexts such as customers, competitors and suppliers. *This is one of the most crucial skills employers expect you to demonstrate in ANY interview situation as it will show you understand the role and their business/industry.

Any employer events such as ‘Meet The Employers’ events, networking cafes, talks, presentations, graduate recuitment fairs; having a mentor; entrepreneurial activity such as Business Bootcamp; volunteering; BBC and Barclays Technology Challenge; personal research into the industry and role.

Work Experience.

Communication The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, for different purposes and in different contexts. Includes literacy, listening, reflecting, questioning and interpersonal skills.

Most things! Presentation and public speaking workshops; Leadership Programme; The Writing Project; ELSIS Writing Course; Language Learning (offered via Futures & UniWide); Conversation Club; Peer Mentoring; Student Ambassadors; MetMUnch; Maths Café;

Manchester Children's Book Festival; Humanity Hallows (Student Press Office); Residential Advisor; Course Rep, SU Society and Club Committee member; Peer Mentoring; volunteering and community activity.

Work Experience.

Leadership The ability to work towards and achieve a vision whilst motivating, inspiring and co-ordinating others. Taking responsibility for decisions and results.

Volunteering; The Tutor Trust; Uprising Leadership Programme; Futures Leadership Programme; Army Style Leadership Course (May), SU Society and Club Committee Members; Course reps; Peer Mentoring; Residential Advisers; Student Ambassador; event management; fundraising.

Work Experience.

Networking The confidence and ability to build and maintain contacts and relationships with people, both socially and professionally.

Uprising Leadership Programme; employer events including ‘Meet The Employers’ events, networking cafes, talks and graduate fairs; Business Bootcamp; MetMUnch; attending and taking part in any kind of workshop, course, event, challenge, competition, training, hackathon etc. outside your usual learning groups.

Work Experience.

Creativity Using innovative, imaginative, conceptual and creative thinking to generate new ideas and finding alternative ways to problem solve.

MetMUnch; Business Bootcamp; Student Press Office roles; Poetry in Practice; EdLab and Make a Difference projects; iDEA – Digital Literacy, SU Society and Club Committee Members; Course reps; Residential Advisors; BBC and Barclays Technology Challenge and other challenges and competitions including hackathons and

fundraising.

Work Experience.

Enterprise Having the ability and intuition to identify opportunities or gaps in the market that others might not recognise. Being open to taking risks and trying new ideas. Using initiative to make things happen.

Business Bootcamp; fundraising activity; setting up your own business; SU Society and Club Committee Members; course-related project work; iDEA – Digital Literacy, BBC and Barclays Technology Challenge.

Work Experience.

Digital Technology

Demonstrating technical competency and computer skills, from standard computer packages to social media, programming, web & internet, coding, CAD and other industry-specific programmes.

IT Envy (Microsoft certification); programming and coding workshops (Python, Javascript); technical training; the Internet of Things; Code Club; hackathons; Lynda.com online courses; iDEA – Digital Literacy, BBC and Barclays Technology Challenge and other digital-related competitions.

Work Experience.

Language Learning

Learning and practicing a foreign language; communicating with others; cultural awareness.

Futures 10 hour language courses; UniWide language courses; studying abroad; Culture Club; Language Exchange; other external language learning.

Persuading/ negotiating OR influencing skills

Being able to influence, often gaining a mutually satisfactory outcome through discussion, appreciating alternative perspectives, understanding and establishing trust.

Course reps; Residential Advisors; Society and Committee Club members; Business Bootcamp; debating; Mooting (Law); collaborative projects; army leadership & teambuilding challenge (May); Peer Mentoring; Community activity (health screenings/healthy universities initiative); fundraising.

Work experience.

Analytical The ability to critically visualise, conceptualise or solve problems

Volunteering; project work; Leadership Programme; SU Society

thinking of any nature in order to make decisions which are sensible and logical given the available information.

and Club Committee members; Course Reps and Residential Advisors; event management; studying abroad; teamwork activity and competitions such as the BBC & Barclays Technology Challenge.

Work experience.

Decision making Decision making is the ability to see multiple-viewpoints, often involving complex issues, in order to select the most logical and sensible course of direction.

Project work (including Make a Difference and EdLab); Leadership Programme; SU Society and Club Committee members; Course Reps and Residential Advisors; event management; studying abroad; teamwork activity and competitions such as the BBC & Barclays Technology Challenge.

Work experience.

Problem solving Problem solving requires coming to logical conclusions in order to select the best course of action. The processes of decision making and analytical thinking are fundamental to this skill.

Project work (including Make a Difference and EdLab); SU Society and Club Committee members; Course Reps and Residential Advisors; studying abroad; BBC and Barclays Technology Challenge and other teamwork activity; event management; Peer Mentoring.

Work experience.

Organisational Skills

Planning and prioritising work in an organised way to effectively achieve outcomes.

Project work (including Make a Difference and EdLab); SU Society and Club Committee members; Course Reps and Residential Advisors; studying abroad; BBC and Barclays Technology Challenge and other teamwork activity; event management; Peer Mentoring.

Work experience.

Team work The ability to work with others effectively, working towards achieving a common goal, recognising and drawing on the

SU Society and Club Committee members; Army Leadership Challenge (May); Manchester Children's Book Festival; most

strengths of individuals for the best possible outcome.

extra-curricular activity; Project work (including Make a Difference and EdLab); challenges and competitions (BBC and Barclays University Technology Challenge; hackathons; Mooting competitions; MetMUnch; Student Ambassador; volunteering and community activity (health screenings/healthy universities initiative).

Work experience

Social responsibility and global citizenship

Recognise issues affecting the economy, environment, human rights and how individuals operate as part of a community, on a local or global scale. Skills which develop ethical behaviour, sustainability, citizenship and encourage personal contribution.

Volunteering; Global Citizenship workshop; Carbon Literacy Training; Met Much roles; language learning; studying abroad; Culture Club; Language Exchange; fundraising; other community activity such as health screenings/healthy universities initiative.

Work Experience.

Sustainability Awareness

Awareness of theconcepts of ethical and sustainable practices which affect individuals, communities, economies and businesses.

Global Citizenship workshop, Carbon Literacy Training, volunteering and community activity, MetMUnch roles.

Work Experience.

Conflict Management

Dealing with conflict in a positive and constructive way, finding mutually agreeable resolutions and maintaining positive relationships.

SU Society and Club Committee members; Course Reps; Residential Advisors; debating; some volunteering roles; Mooting (Law);

Work Experience.

Public speaking & presenting

Presenting information clearly and effectively in public or group settings.

Presentation & public speaking workshops; Course Reps; Residential Advisors; SU Society and Committee Club members; debating; Mooting (Law); course activity.

Work Experience.

Customer Service Providing a positive and enjoyable experience for customers in any business setting. Delivering good customer service requires listening, showing empathy, being patient and communicating effectively.

SU Society and Club Committee members; Course Rep; Residential Advisor; volunteering and community activity such as health screenings/healthy universities initiative.

Work Experience.

Project Management

Applies appropriate project management tools and techniques, is able to set goals and plans, manages resources to deliver results and measures success with strong time management and organisational skills.

BBC and Barclays Technology Challenge. Any activity where you are directly responsible for delivering a project or part of a project (incl. EdLab, Make a Difference, volunteering and fundraising).

Most likely to be linked to placements, internships, course-related activity and SU Society and Club committee roles.

Attributes

Attitude Description Example Activity

Commitment Dedication to a role or organisation, or to achieving targets. A willingness to get involved and go the extra mile. Closely linked to enthusiasm and motivation.

Humanity Hallows; Volunteering; project work (including Make a Difference and EdLab); iDEA – Digital Literacy, SU Society and Club Committee members; Course Rep; Residential Advisor; studying abroad.

Work experience.

Honesty/Integrity

Demonstrating integrity and respect in what you do and how you treat others; communicating openly; willingness to listen to & understand the point of view of others; valuing equality and

Community activity such as Health screenings; volunteering; project work (including Make a Difference and EdLab); Course Rep; Peer Mentoring.

Work experience.

diversity.

Trustworthiness Demonstrating the ability and self-motivation to carry out tasks or projects to a high standard.

Volunteering; Student Ambassador; Peer Mentoring; Community activity such as health screenings; Course Reps and Residential Advisers.

Work experience.

Accountability Taking responsibility for the outcomes of your choices, behaviours or actions; taking ownership of tasks or projects and seeing them through; doing your best to make things right.

SU Society and Club Committee members; iDEA – Digital Literacy, Course Rep; Residential Advisor; volunteering; Student Press Office roles; event management; Project work (including Make a Difference and EdLab).

Work experience

Confidence A belief in your own skills, experience and ability; knowing what you're good at. Confidence is important for achieving your goals, being successful and communicating with others. You can improve your confidence by networking with and talking to new people, increasing your knowledge in a specific area and developing your skills through experiences.

Anything you do which is new or puts yourself outside your comfort zone will help to build your confidence.

This could be through a range of roles such as your part-time job, placement, studying abroad etc. or by taking part in university extra-curricular activities.