Senior External Relations Officer, Environment Agency
I think there are a top three skills required in my sector.
- Influencing skills. I am frequently asked to demonstrate this in interviews.
- Communication skills – presentation & oral, written. You need to make the transition from academic to business writing. I remember not long after having done my MA being asked in an interview if I’d ever written a report. I had not and was therefore flustered by the question. However if I’d said something to the effect of ‘No, but I have proven business writing skills based on the following examples (and I did have)…….. and I know that a report needs the following………’
- Problem solving – this is one that employers are perpetually keen on. If you can demonstrate lateral thinking to deliver solutions this will win you points.
Have as many examples as possible to back yourselves up in interviews. This is a bit difficult when you’re starting out on your career as you have yet to build a track record. However if you can draw on examples from other aspects of your lives or activities and translate these into tangible examples all to your advantage.