Hiring National University Students: Are Employers Interested?

When hiring recent graduates, employers are looking for more than just a degree. While a strong academic record is important, it is not the only factor that determines employability. Employers seek graduates with relevant work experience, such as internships, jobs, volunteering, and extracurricular activities. These experiences provide graduates with valuable skills and attributes that are sought-after in the job market, such as problem-solving abilities, teamwork skills, written and verbal communication skills, initiative, work ethic, and technical skills. Therefore, students from National University who can demonstrate these skills and attributes through their academic and non-academic experiences are likely to be competitive candidates for employment.

Internships, jobs, volunteering, and extracurriculars

When hiring recent graduates, employers value experiences outside of academics, such as internships, jobs, volunteering, and extracurricular activities. These experiences indicate a graduate's ability to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and demonstrate crucial skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, initiative, work ethic, and adaptability.

Internships are highly valued by employers as they provide graduates with practical work experience and industry-specific skills. They offer a glimpse into the graduate's ability to handle job-related tasks and work effectively in a professional environment. Internships also allow students to build a network of professional connections, which can be beneficial for future job opportunities.

Jobs, whether part-time or full-time, indicate a graduate's ability to balance academics with work commitments. Employers view work experience as a sign of responsibility, maturity, and a strong work ethic. Even unrelated jobs can showcase valuable transferable skills such as customer service, time management, and collaboration.

Volunteering demonstrates a graduate's initiative, community engagement, and commitment to causes they care about. It showcases their ability to take on additional responsibilities and contribute to society outside of their academic or professional pursuits. Volunteering can also provide valuable skills, such as event planning, fundraising, or community organizing, which can be transferred to a professional setting.

Extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, or sports teams, indicate a well-rounded individual with diverse interests and a passion for personal growth. These activities often foster valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and time management. Employers recognize that graduates with extracurricular involvement tend to have stronger soft skills and are more likely to be engaged and dedicated employees.

While academic achievements are important, employers prioritize work experience and soft skills demonstrated through internships, jobs, volunteering, and extracurricular activities when considering candidates for hiring. These experiences provide a more holistic view of a graduate's potential and their ability to contribute value to the organization beyond their academic knowledge.

Problem-solving skills

So, what exactly do employers mean by "problem-solving skills"? Problem-solving skills refer to an individual's ability to identify and analyze a problem and develop effective solutions. It involves critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making abilities. Employers value these skills because they are essential for tackling challenges and finding innovative solutions in the workplace.

To develop strong problem-solving skills, students can engage in various activities and practices. One effective way is to seek out complex problems and challenges both inside and outside the classroom. This can include participating in case competitions, working on group projects, or taking on leadership roles in extracurricular activities. By exposing themselves to diverse and complex problems, students can enhance their analytical and critical thinking abilities.

Another way to develop problem-solving skills is to cultivate a growth mindset. This involves embracing challenges, persevering in the face of setbacks, and learning from mistakes. Students who are open to new experiences and willing to take calculated risks are more likely to develop stronger problem-solving abilities. Seeking feedback and reflecting on their experiences can also help students refine their problem-solving approaches and make better decisions in the future.

Additionally, communication and collaboration play a significant role in effective problem-solving. Employers often seek candidates who can work well in teams and possess strong communication skills. By actively listening to others, exchanging ideas, and collaborating, students can enhance their problem-solving abilities and become more effective contributors in a team environment.

Lastly, students can develop problem-solving skills by seeking out internships and part-time jobs. Real-world work experience provides valuable opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to practical problems. Through internships and jobs, students can gain a better understanding of how to identify and address problems within a professional context, making them more attractive candidates for employers.

Teamwork skills

While employers value academic skills, work experience is the crucial attribute that employers seek in students who have yet to work full-time. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, internships, jobs, volunteering, and extracurriculars are the most important elements in hiring a recent graduate.

• Communication: Effective communication is key to successful teamwork. Listen actively, be clear and concise in your messages, and ensure everyone is on the same page. Strong communication skills also encompass giving and receiving feedback respectfully and constructively.
• Collaboration: Collaborating effectively means leveraging the strengths of each team member to achieve a common goal. It involves sharing ideas, responsibilities, and resources, and being open to others' perspectives.
• Flexibility: Being adaptable is crucial in a team setting. This means being open to changes in plans or strategies, accommodating others' working styles, and being willing to take on different roles or tasks for the benefit of the team.
• Conflict Resolution: Disagreements and conflicts are inevitable in any team. Strong teamwork skills include the ability to handle conflicts constructively, find compromises, and maintain a positive and respectful attitude toward others, even when disagreements arise.
• Initiative: Taking initiative within a team means proactively identifying areas where you can contribute, volunteering for tasks, and going beyond what is expected of you. It also involves recognizing when a team member needs support and offering help without being asked.
• Time Management: Managing your time effectively is crucial for successful teamwork. This means meeting deadlines, respecting others' time, and ensuring that your tasks are completed without causing delays for the rest of the team.
• Emotional Intelligence: Being aware of your own emotions and those of your teammates is essential for strong teamwork. Emotional intelligence involves recognizing and managing your emotions, as well as being empathetic and responsive to the emotions of others.
• Problem-Solving: Being able to identify and solve problems as a team is a valuable skill. This involves creative thinking, analyzing information, generating potential solutions, and making informed decisions collaboratively.
• Leadership and Followership: Effective teamwork requires both leaders and followers. Being a good team player means knowing when to take the lead and when to follow others' lead. Leadership skills include delegating tasks, motivating team members, and providing direction. Followership skills involve being receptive to direction, asking clarifying questions, and executing tasks as instructed.

Developing and showcasing these teamwork skills will not only make you a valuable asset to any employer but will also contribute to your overall success in the workplace.

Work experience

Internships, in particular, provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable experience in their field of interest, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge in a practical setting. They also allow employers to evaluate a candidate's academic achievements indirectly, as certain internships may require good grades in relevant classes.

Additionally, work experience helps students develop other important skills such as flexibility, adaptability, and analytical abilities, which are also valued by employers. Therefore, it is beneficial for students to seek out opportunities to gain work experience and include these experiences on their resumes, highlighting the skills they have acquired.

Overall, work experience is a crucial aspect of a student's profile and can greatly increase their employability upon graduation.

Academic skills

Problem-Solving

Nearly 90% of employers are seeking evidence of a student's ability to solve problems. This skill is important in almost every role and industry and demonstrates an ability to navigate challenges and find solutions.

Teamwork

Around 80% of employers look for candidates with strong teamwork skills. Being able to work well with others is a vital skill in most professional settings and shows an ability to collaborate and contribute to a team dynamic.

Communication

Both written and verbal communication skills are important to employers, with over 70% seeking these abilities in candidates. Effective communication is key to success in most roles and demonstrates an ability to convey ideas, collaborate, and build relationships.

Work Ethic

A strong work ethic is valued by employers, with over 70% seeking this attribute. A good work ethic demonstrates dedication, commitment, and a willingness to put in the effort to achieve results.

Technical Skills

Technical skills are important to at least 70% of employers. These skills may vary depending on the industry but can include computer literacy, data analysis, programming, or other specialised technical knowledge.

Adaptability

Being flexible and adaptable is a valuable skill, with over two-thirds of employers seeking this attribute. Adaptability shows a willingness to embrace change, learn new skills, and navigate evolving circumstances.

Analytical Skills

Over two-thirds of employers look for analytical or quantitative skills. These skills demonstrate an ability to interpret data, identify patterns, and make informed decisions, which are valuable in a range of roles and industries.

While academic skills are important, it is also beneficial to gain work experience through internships, jobs, or extracurricular activities to apply these skills in a practical context and make yourself more attractive to potential employers.

Frequently asked questions