This unit includes:

Introduction

Developing your employability during your time at university is key to getting your future career off to a flying start.

At the University of Bradford, you can talk to a dedicated team of career and employability specialists about finding a part-time job, work placement or volunteering opportunities. Our friendly team have expert knowledge, no matter what your level of study, our team are here to give you support to progress your career. While making the most of your university journey involves building your experience, CV, and skills, you are not alone through doing this and we are ready to help you achieve success.

1. Developing your career skills and confidence at university

1.1 Read and Reflect

Activity Time: 20 minutes

1.2 Complete an Action Plan

Activity Time: 20 minutes

Identify the opportunities you would like to access whilst you are at university that will help you develop your skills and confidence.
Complete 'My Action Plan' document.

2. Employability Skills - understand why you need them and identify current skills

Employability skills are core transferable or soft skills and personal qualities (attitudes and behaviours) almost everyone needs to do almost any job. Employability skills are not the same as qualifications, academic subject knowledge, or specialist experience. Whilst every job vacancy will require certain qualifications, subject knowledge, and experience, these are not ultimately what will get you the job. Your employability skills, and how you demonstrate these to an employer, will help the employer decide whether you are the best person for the job.

2.1 What skills do you already have?

Activity Time: 20 minutes

Now is a great time to think about the skills and personal qualities you have developed to date; this will prepare you well for applying for work experience opportunities. This activity will also help you to identify any skills you would like to develop during your time at university, so you are ready to apply for graduate opportunities towards the end of your course.

Complete the 'Skills Profile' document to help you identify some of your skills.

The next section will give you some practical tips on actions you can take now to start developing your employability skills!

3. Deepen your self-awareness and develop a growth mindset

Self-awareness is important because you can only grow and develop with any success if you really understand where you're starting from.

There are lots of ways you can get to know yourself better, but they broadly sit in three categories:

Taking self-assessments
Talking to other people
Reflection

3.1 Take the Buzz Quiz

Activity Time: 10 minutes

Take the 'Future Goals' quiz and get some instant feedback on your personality type.
This quiz will give you tips for managing job interviews, coping with change and job suggestions that will suit your personality.

3.2 Take more self-assessments on different topics

Activity Time: 15 – 45 minutes

Learn more about different aspects of your personality, i.e., your strengths, values, temperament and personal resilience, via the Career Assessments on Build My Career.
Access the Career Assessments on Build My Career. You will need to register the first time, so use your university credentials.

Helpful Hint: why not start with the STRENGTHS assessment?

3.3 Growth Mindset

Activity Time: 15-20 minutes.

"Those who hold a growth mindset believe that they can get better at something by dedication of time, effort, and energy. Working on one’s flaws, and the process—not the outcome—are the most important components. With time and practice, people with a growth mindset believe they can achieve what they want. The opposite of a growth mindset is a fixed mindset." Prof. Carol Dweck, Stanford University.

Find out more about growth mindset from watching the Khan Academy video below:

Then access the Barclays Life Skills webpage to learn more about how to develop a growth mindset.

4. Your Career Journey - a call to action

4.1 Identify what you can do now to turbo-charge your career journey

Use this 'Your Career Journey' PDF with hyperlinks to resources to identify actions that will boost your career journey now.
Read through our Top Tips below and identify other actions that will support your career journey.

Top Tips

Look at our website for more information and access to a range of resources www.bradford.ac.uk/careers
Book a 1:1 careers appointment with one of our team - Booking appointments information here www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/services/appts/
Get your CV in shape and ready to apply for part time work and work experience opportunities - see our CV writing advice here www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/applications/
Activate your account on the Handshake platform to access the latest opportunities here https://bradford.joinhandshake.co.uk/
Attend our workshops and webinars to help you make the most of your skills www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/services/workshops/
Participate in the Bradford Employability Award - Active Career Planner- find out more here www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/develop-skills/active-career-planner/
Apply to be a Careers Ambassador to develop communication skills and self-confidence www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/jobs/career-ambassadors/#d.en.37916 – watch the video below to find out more:

Further support and useful links

We hope you have enjoyed this module. Get in touch with the Career and Employability Service if you have any questions by emailing careers@bradford.ac.uk , or drop in to see us in person, we are located on the Learning Mall (Top Floor) of the Student Central building.

Drop-in and quick query appointments available every weekday from 10:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 15:00. Please check in at MyBradford in Student Central or use the self-check-in app to let us know you are here - look for check-in QR code on the posters in Student Central near the MyBradford desk.

These are initial information sessions, so at the end of your 15 minutes, you may be referred to a longer guidance appointment for more specialist advice.