10 Skills That Will Get You A Job As A Graduate

http://studentsalike.com/2012/05/30/10-skills-that-will-get-you-a-job-as-a-graduate/ by Surminga http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7086/7301514470_428864e9fb_m.jpg

Graduate employers spend a lot of time and scrutinise CV’s and applications when searching for candidates with the right skills and competencies for

Graduate (Photo credit: Surminga)

their organisations and business’. Depending on the career sector and profession you choose to work within, there could be very specific skills, abilities and knowledge needed to for the job which you are applying for.

However, complementing these are general competences and behaviours that are essential for successful working. They are often overlooked by candidates, but they are the things recruitment professionals want to see evidence of noted within your CV and application

So what are the skills recruiters might be keeping an eye out for with a plethora of applications for job positions? Here are 10 we have listed for you -

1. Commercial awareness (or business acumen)

This is about knowing how a business or industry works and what makes a company tick. Showing that you have an understanding of what the organisation wants to achieve through its products and services, and how it competes in its marketplace.

2. Communication skills

This covers verbal and written communication, and listening. It’s about being clear, concise and focused; being able to tailor your message for the audience and listening to the views of others.

3. Leading a Team

Graduates need to show potential to motivate teams and other colleagues that may work for them. It’s about assigning and delegating tasks well, setting deadlines and leading by good example.

4. Working within a Team

You’ll need to prove that you’re a team player but also have the ability to manage and delegate to others and take on responsibility. It’s about building positive working relationships that help everyone to achieve postive goals and business objectives.

5. Negotiation and persuasion

This is about being able to put forward your way, but also being able to understand where the other person is coming from so that you can both get what you want or need and feel positive about it.

6. Good at Problem solving

You need to display an ability to take a logical and analytical approach to solving problems and resolving issues. It’s also good to show that you can approach problems from different angles.

7. Organisational Skills

This is about showing that you can prioritise, work efficiently and productively, and manage your time well. It’s also good to be able to show employers how you decide what is important to focus on and get done, and how you go about meeting deadlines.

8. Able to work under pressure

This is about keeping calm in a crisis and not becoming too overwhelmed or stressed.

9. Be Confident

In the workplace you need to strike the balance of being confident in yourself but not arrogant, but also have confidence in your colleagues and the company you work for.

10. Perseverance and motivation

Employers want people to have a bit of get-up-and-go. Working life presents many challenges and you need to show employers that you’re the kind of person who will find a way through, even when the going gets tough.

May 30, 2012 at 02:05PM



via StudentsAlike http://studentsalike.com/2012/05/30/10-skills-that-will-get-you-a-job-as-a-graduate/

Stay Clear Of Dehydration

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Summer is quite nearly here, the most common problems during this time is dehydration and can happen quickly in this summer heat. Be sure that you

Dehydration - Drink Water (Photo credit: Surminga)

have water or juice handy whenever you will be in the heat for a long time either out in the park, walking the dog or playing in the garden.

Don’t forget about children and the animals too – they may not ask for water. Be sure to take frequent water breaks during the kids’ summer activities, and always have a few bowls of water spread around the house for your cat’s and dog’s.

The main causes of dehydration relate to any of the following -

• heat exhaustion


• heat stroke


• vomiting


• diarrhea


• high blood sugar


• exercise


• drinking alcohol


• infection

The main solution in which to be dehydration is to take in plenty of fluids and sugary drinks, symptoms of dehydration can be seen in the following ways -

• dizziness


• headache


• dark urine (strong smelling)


• inability to urinate


• dry mouth and nose


• weakness


• nausea and vomiting

Be careful when out running, walking and playing guys – take in plenty of fluids.

May 29, 2012 at 10:05AM



via StudentsAlike http://studentsalike.com/2012/05/29/stay-clear-of-dehydration/

How to make Mint Sauce

http://studentsalike.com/2012/05/07/how-to-make-mint-sauce/ by Surminga http://farm8.static.flickr.com/7053/6998366580_5815d5c63f_m.jpg

Ingredients for Mint Sauce

• 1 large bunch of mint (leaves stripped) (40g)


• 2tbsp sugar


• Large pinch of salt


• 90 ml boiling water


• 3-4tbsp white wine vinegar

Step-by-Step

1. Finely chop mint leaves with the sugar to help keep the colour


2. Place chopped leaves into a jug with the salt and then pour over boiling water


3. Add the vinegar slowly and taste


4. Add a little more vinegar or sugar if necessary for a good balance of flavours


5. Serve over roast lamb

May 07, 2012 at 02:15PM



via StudentsAlike http://studentsalike.com/2012/05/07/how-to-make-mint-sauce/

Things to do before your Exams to prepare

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Let’s start with the usual and very generic methods in which you have probably been told to do previously.

First, get plenty of sleep. Do not drink too much water, especially before a multiple choice or written exam. You don’t want to be up and down to the toilet every 10 or 20 minutes – plus some Universities or school will only allow you to visit the toilet once per exam. You should also eat well the night before and try not to eat those things that will upset your stomach, and may cause poor memory. Blueberries are great for memory. You shouldn’t take an exam on a full stomach – it is not fun being bloated whilst sitting trying to stay concentrated and relaxed.

Also eating before an exam can leave you may having a tired look and feeling.

Here is a few of those which you may not have heard of and which you should possibly try.

We fail to exercise our brain cells before doing battle with an important exam. So light brain exercise will be in order. Some visualization training will set a pretty good start before an exam. Just opening and closing your eyes can give you some relief. Fruits and vegetables would be nice to eat before an exam, but do not overdo it because fruit has a lot of water.

Do not forget to bring adequate supplies.

Be on time and wear comfortable clothes – being late to an exam is not acceptable. You have to be ready to take the exam. Arriving at least 15 to 30 minutes to the exam is highly recommended in order to give you time to relax and read notes once over.

Depending on the test, you may want to make sure that you have already purchased practice tests and have gone over that material several times.

It really depends on how badly you want to pass the test in relation to how much work prior you put in, some students choose to use hypnosis and self-hypnosis. Hypnotists use relaxation techniques in order to make sure that a student is totally relaxed. Self-talk and self-hypnosis can work for you as well.

We all operate differently, has anyone else got any tips which are different from ours?

May 04, 2012 at 02:26PM



via StudentsAlike http://studentsalike.com/2012/05/04/things-to-do-before-your-exams-to-prepare/