Gaining The Advantage
Review all of your experiences and draw up a list of solid examples that demonstrate that you have the skills required by the employer that you are applying to. Most application forms will ask you to give specific examples of times when you have worked in a team or used problem- solving techniques, for example.
Explain the context, your role, what you did and always mention what happened as a result. Stress proactive activities rather then passive/spectator interests. Try to include proactive verbs such as liaised, organised, supervised, co-ordinated, negotiated, developed, investigated and researched in your answers.
You could draw your examples from:
- work experience
- involvement with clubs and societies
- voluntary work
- gap year activities
- your degree work
- your part-time job
Good examples might include increasing the number of active members of your university society or helping a local community group to overcome a problem. You might have presented to a group of students or led a seminar discussion. Maybe you have planned a complex travel itinerary or helped school children to develop their confidence by volunteering in their school.
