Skills Audit

How well developed is your skill set?

Consider how far you have developed the skills listed below in different contexts.
Firstly, consider place a tick in each column to indicate where you feel you have developed each skill
group. Then, to reflect on the extent to which you have developed your skills, place a second tick where
you are a bit more confident and a third tick where you are highly confident.

Skills regularly requested University Course Work Experience Other activities

societies, volunteering etc
by employers
Written Communication

Oral Communication

Research & Critical Thinking

Analysis & Problem Solving

Planning & Organising

Leadership

Teamwork & Interpersonal

Communication

Creative Thinking

Commercial Awareness

Adaptability, Flexibility &

Initiative

Personal Career
Development

What steps can you take to fill in the gaps?

You can expect to be asked for examples of how you have developed and used your skills when
completing employer’s application forms and also at interviews.
 Some examples of how to develop and demonstrate your skills...
Written Communication:  Encouraging others’ contribution and
 Producing written reports/essays/ building their confidence
dissertations/letters in appropriate style  Recognising potential conflict and acting to
 Conveying complex concepts in writing diffuse it
using appropriate words and phrases  Responsibility for organising an event
 Writing publicity material  Chairing a student society
 Acting as secretary for club or society
Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills:
Oral Communication:  Taking part in team-based projects as part
 Presenting complex ideas/results/ solutions of course or at work
to groups or individuals  Working constructively with others and
 Using a range of audio visual aids when being sensitive to their feelings
presenting to audiences  Listening objectively and without interruption
 Varying your style and tone according to the  Asserting own ideas while also
audience acknowledging others’ contributions
 Reporting back on meetings  Being member of sports team/society/
 Querying outcome, challenging premises committee

Research/critical thinking: Creative Thinking:

 Applying a range of methods to test validity  Thinking laterally or ‘outside the box’
of data  Looking at new or better ways of doing
 Designing experiments, plans or models to things
systematically define a problem  Creating your own opportunities
 Using a variety of sources of information  Being resourceful
 Formulating questions relevant to clarifying
a problem Commercial Awareness:
 Producing detailed, accurate data  Understanding how businesses and
organisations operate
Analysis & Problem Solving:  Familiarity with a business or organisation’s
 Identifying critical issues or problems products/services/ethos/culture/competitors
 Breaking tasks down into manageable parts  Being aware of the key issues facing the
 Handling, assimilating, analysing large businesses or organisations
quantities of data and information  Being alert to opportunities for efficiencies
 Considering alternative and creative and improvements in your work place
solutions to a problem
 Challenging premises, questioning Adaptability, Flexibility & Initiative:
procedures  Combining study with other activities
 Evaluating findings  Ability to change a procedure or approach
to suit different situations
Planning & Organising:  Being prepared to accommodate needs/
 Establishing priorities and determining wishes of others
realistic goals  Dealing positively with unforeseen
 Managing your time effectively circumstances, including academic changes
 Seeing a task through to completion  Taking action when opportunities arise
 Flexibility and adaptability in dealing with  Creating your own opportunities
unforeseen circumstances  Being resourceful
 Meeting deadlines for coursework and other
responsibilities Personal Career Development:
 Planning vacation travel and work itinerary  Identifying your own strengths/ weaknesses
 Analysing and learning from your own and
Leadership: others’ life experiences
 Organising people and tasks to achieve  Accepting and learning from criticism/
clear goals feedback
 Delegating tasks appropriately  Marketing your skills and experiences to
employers.