Getting the skills employers want

» Being mentored by employers

• What you get. You will learn how to market yourself, make useful contacts, build relationships, and understand how to make the best use of opportunities which may present themselves, whilst gaining an insight into the world of work.
• Why employers want these skills. Effective relationship building is seen as a key skill by many employers. Being able to demonstrate this can add value to any job application.

Find out more about being mentored by an employer.

» Careers sessions

• What you get. Exposure to the best ways of writing a CV, preparing for an interview and how best to plan your career.

For more information on careers sessions contact the Career Development Centre.

» Club Captain

• What you get. Being captain of any club will throw up challenges. You will gain experience in leadership and decision making, and enhance your organisational skills in areas such as fixture planning.
• Why employers want these skills. Employers value all of these attributes as they demonstrate your ability to manage situations and people.  If not done well morale and productivity can suffer.

Find out more about being a club captain from the Students Union

» Course representative

• What you get. You will be expected to listen well to others, evaluate facts and focus on solutions. You will enhance your listening skills, accurately assess various pieces of information, and improve your communications skills, through speaking in formal meeting environments.
• Why employers want these skills. Employers will expect you to communicate your own views and also be sensitive to the views of others.

If you want to know more about being a course representative contact your programme leader.

» Faculty competitions

• What you get. You will improve your leadership skills, problem solving skills and learn to work in teams.
• Why employers want these skills. All of these skills are highly sought after key competencies with employers.

To find out if your Faculty is holding competitions contact your programme leader.

» IT student helper

• What you get. You will develop your skills at building relationships, listening and communications skills, mentoring skills, and the ability to convey technical knowledge to others.
• Why employers want these skills. Employers seek people who can work well with others, have a willingness to share knowledge, and have good inter personal skills.

» Residential Assistant

• What you get. Working in your hall of residence with people your own age you'll learn how to be diplomatic and develop conciliatory skills. You will learn to be supportive of your peers and understand issues of diversity.
• Why employers want these skills. The ability to communicate in an appropriate way and problem solving conciliatory skills are highly valued when employers look to fill managerial vacancies.

To find out more about becoming a Residential Assistant contact your Hall manager. 

» Skills advisor

• What you get. Working with your fellow students will allow you to enhance your people skills, listening skills, and managing expectations - you will draw on your own expertise and experience.
• Why employers want these skills. Employers want evidence that candidates are willing and have the communications skills to share ideas and experience for the benefit of the team.

To find out more about being a Skills adviser within your Faculty contact Student Support and Information Services.

» Student Ambassador

• What you get. You will develop your confidence and communications skills in a customer service role. You will also learn how to work as part of a team and on your own initiative.
• Why employers want these skills. These are key skills in any organisation and being able to demonstrate when and how you have used them is key to any successful job application.

Find out about becoming a Student Ambassador.

» Student Placements

• What you get. All placements vary, but if possible manage your time like a project.  Seek out pieces of work to allow you to demonstrate innovation, creativity and your ability to organise.
• Why employers want these skills. Employers expect graduates to be innovative, creative and well organised. A student placement is the ideal opportunity to practice and demonstrate these skills.

» Study Advisor

• What you get. Supporting your fellow student to do their work, you will enhance your people skills, communications skills and understand how to manage expectations - this role involves you supporting students, not doing their work for them.
• Why employers want these skills. Employers seek candidates with good communications skills who show a willingness to share ideas and experience for the benefit of the team.

Find out more about becoming a Study Advisor.

» University of Derby Award

• What you get. Experience in leadership and management by taking the lead role in your project, together with research, negotiation skills, report writing and making presentations.
• Why employers want these skills. Employers seek evidence of managerial skills in their graduate candidates as they view graduate trainees as the managers of the future. 

Find out about the University of Derby Award.

» Volunteering

• What you get. Work experience in an area you are particularly interested in. It may allow you to gain and demonstrate particular skills such as organising an event or project management whilst demonstrating your intitiave and creativity. You will also demonstrate your potential to engage with their corporate social responsibilty agenda.
• Why employers want these skills. These are key skills and attributes valued within all organisations.  Being able to demonstrate how you've used them can be key to a successful job application.

Find out more about Volunteering.

» Working for the Student Employment Agency

• What you get. Valuable work experience and chance to develop your skills which may include working in a team, communications skills, problem solving, flexibility, planning and organising. Successful completion of your placement may result in a valuable reference.
• Why employers want these skills. Vocational experience can demonstrate to a potential employer your ability to work to deadlines, engage with colleagues, manage projects and deliver what is expected of you. 

Find out more about the Student Employment Agency.

» Working in Buxton Spa, restaurant and hair salon

• What you get. You'll enhance your customer service skills where excellence is the target. You'll learn how to work to deadlines whilst maintaining the highest standard of service.
• Why employers want these skills. This experience demonstrates to employers that you can provide services in a commercial setting where people are paying and expect value for money as well as customer care.