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How to Develop Skills Sought by Employers

Across all disciplines, employers have similar expectations of the skills needed from qualified applicants. Below is a list of essential skills gathered from research published about employer needs.* Listed below each skill are opportunities to explore and develop that particular skill or behavior. Use these suggestions to create your own powerful set of skills while at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Webb, in and out of the classroom. A strong set of these skills and behaviors will increase your marketability for internships, jobs and graduate school.

Number 1 way to develop any of these skills, Involvement on Campus

1. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Ability to write, speak, and present yourself well
   • Enroll in an academic class that is writing intensive or includes presentations or speeches
   • Work in a campus office or part-time position
   • Improve the way you listen to others; use empathy and self-control when diffusing disagreements
   • Write stories, newsletters etc. for student organizations such as the Bulldog Bite, English Channel, or yearbook
   • Refine your job search materials (resume, cover letter, interview preparation) with Professional Development
   • Act in a theater group, broadcasting, or even an improv group
   • Do fundraising or volunteer work for charities or nonprofit organizations
   • Participate in a mission trip domestically or abroad
2. INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Relating to others and demonstrating self-confidence, tact, and approachability
   • Engage in discussions with people different from you
   • Participate as an active team member in a class, campus organization or at a job
   • Live in a group setting on or off campus
   • Conduct interviews with people to gather information for a class project, organization or personal goal
   • Volunteer at a non-profit or serve in an organization like Civitan, Relay for Life, SGA and more
   • Work as a tutor (on or off campus), coach, camp counselor, mentor, Peer Leader, Big Brother or Big Sister
3. TEAMWORK SKILLS: Working well with others, flexible and adaptive
   • Lead a project team or committee in class, a student organization, or job
   • Use an internship, study group, class or research project to help turn a group of people into a team with common goals
   • Participate on an intramural team, coach Little League, become a summer camp counselor or recreation leader
   • Showcase relatability and connection with roommates, teammates, classmates, or others in group settings
   • Contribute as a valuable member of a team focusing on team goals more than personal goals
4. INITIATIVE: Having a strong work ethic, being a risk-taker, entrepreneur
   • Identify a campus or community need and proactively fine and implement solutions
   • Select a skill you would like to improve, and seek out experiences which help you achieve that goal
   • Appropriately balance academics, co-curricular activities and employment
   • Solicit strong instructors/supervisor references from academic, co-curricular or employment activity
   • Complete a task or project without having to be asked
   • Study abroad; interact with other cultures
5. ANALYTICAL SKILLS- Problem-solving, detail-oriented, organize, creative, strategic planner
   • Participate in undergraduate research with a faculty member
   • Work as a lab assistant with computers, science or language
   • Organize a campus event, including volunteer staff, budget, publicity, etc.
   • Seek opportunities to evaluate data to support decision-making
   • Manage your time well; meet deadlines
   • Take a topic you are passionate about, and research the opposing view
   • Read an article in an academic area different from your own and develop implications for your area
   • Develop a strategic plan for a student organization
   • When considering a difficult decision, appraise your choices realistically and seek professional advice when appropriate
6. LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Make decisions, communicate vision, action oriented, influence/motivate others,
   • Explore leadership opportunities through the Center for Personal and Professional Development
   • Run a campaign for student government or campus issues; or get involved in local state politics
   • Be an active officer or committee chair of a campus organization
   • Identify a campus or community need and proactively find and implement solutions
   • Facilitate group discussions in class or in a campus organization
   • Organize and manage an intramural sports team, camp or recreation group
   • Lead children’s programs, tutor kids in a local school, or coach a children’s sports team
   • Get an internship in an area of career interest; consult with Professional Development and your department internship coordinator
   • Train new campus organization members or employees at your job
7. TECHNICAL SKILLS: Knowledge and skills related to a specific job field, utilizing computer software & hardware, web and financial resources
   • Work as a student network or computer consultant with campus IT or Residence Life
   • Design or maintain websites for a student or community organization, campus office or yourself
   • Design a brochure, advertisement or newsletter using desktop publishing software
   • Assist community agencies with database, statistical analyses, financial or service reports
   • Keep budgets or financial records for campus or community organizations or work in a billing office
   • Design PowerPoint presentations or Prezis for class or a campus organization
   • Work in the studio or control room of campus radio station or community radio or TV station
   • Learn computer and technical skills in classes and workshops that focus on software programs and applying technology

*Sources include the National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE), Michigan State University, University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, UNC Wilmington, Hart Research Associates, CareerBuilder, US New & World Report, World Future Society, American Society for Training and Development and the US Department of Labor

**Campus leadership and peer leader positions include Resident Assistant, Big Brother/Big Sister, U111 Peer Leader, Student Government Association (SGA), Student Recruitment Ambassadors (SRA), Peer Tutoring and Writing Center

For more information:

Jobs and Internships: Click on the WebbWorks button after logging in to MyGWU

Center for Personal and Professional Development Tucker Student Center Suite 157
[email protected] (704) 406-2077