During your studies, you will acquire a number ofskillsthat will be important once you join the work force. You can develop more of these skills by doing extracurricular activities, for example:
- Volunteer for a year in administration;
- Have a part-time job;
- Take part in a challenge, where you work on an actual problem in the business community or society. For example from theAlliance TU/e, WUR, UU, UMC Utrechtor the Utrecht Challenge Alliance;
- FollowCareer Servicesworkshops.
A good resume shows potential employers all the things you've done that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Is your resume any good? That depends on the job opening, but if youget your resume checked, at least you'll know the basics are in order.
Job application and interview tips
When applying for jobs, it's important that you are well prepared.
Clearly structure your resume
Your curriculum vitae, or resume, shows potential employers who you are and what you have done in terms of education, work, and extracurricular activities. A clearly structured and well-formatted resume makes a good first impression. Always tailor your resume to the job and its requirements. Build a database for yourself containing all your experience and select relevant elements from it for each application you send out.
Structure of a good resume
- Resume structure (pdf)
- Intermediair.nl offers examples of relevant resumes(Dutch).
- Carrieretijger.nl has information about skill-based resumes(Dutch).
How to write a powerful resume: watch the video below.
Employability Skills
Employability Skills', or also referred to as 'transferable skills', can be defined as the skills that you require in the basic sense to be considered 'employable' across practically any sector. Along with good technical insight and professional knowledge, employers often specify a number of skills they require from an employee.The more you possess of these skills, the more employable you are, and therefore the greater your chances of obtaining a job and development opportunities. It is important to develop these core skills during your studies and to highlight them on your CV. Examples of these skills are:
- Critical thinking / problem solving skills
- Communication skills (written / oral / presentation)
- Co-operation
- Social and intercultural skills
- Leadership
- Professional attitude / work ethic
- Adaptability / Resilience
- Digital skills
Do you want to explore what skills you already have, what skills you can still develop and how you can express them well on your CV and in a job interview? Then have a look at our transferable skillsworkshop.
Write an attractive application letter
It is important that you use your letter to show why you're highly motivated to work for the organisation you're applying to and to argue the case for why you are the best candidate. Download our tips for a good application letter (pdf).
Links (in Dutch)
How to write an attractive application letter: watch the video below.
Do well on the interview
The job interview is an opportunity for you and your prospective employer to meet and get acquainted. The following tips will help you prepare for that interview.
What constitutes appropriate attire depends on the kind of organisation you're applying to. Is its culture formal or informal? Whichever it is, you should at the very least look well-groomed: your clothes should be clean and ironed, your shoes polished, your hair styled, etc.
Meer kledingtips(Dutch).
These questions are commonly asked during job interviews:
- Why do you want to work here?
- What do you like about this job?
- What makes you a good candidate for this position?
- What are your strengths? Your weaknesses?
It is also common to ask how you would deal with certain situations. You can prepare for those questions by coming up with past situations (in your part-time job, circle of friends, administrative positions, or studies) that show how you possess and have applied certain skills.
- What shows that you're a good team player?
- How do you deal with stressful situations?
Practice your answers using the STAR method: start by describing the situation, then tell the interviewer about your task, the activities you performed, and the end result.
Come up with a few questions about the job you're applying for. These interviews are not just an opportunity for the organisation to work out what you can do. They're also an opportunity for you to decide whether the organisation and the position actually offer what you're looking for. It's important to decide ahead of time what you want to know.
Read up on the organisation and recent developments in the industry. This will give you a better idea what to expect of the organisation and its culture. That knowledge will be very useful in answering the questions they will ask you in the interview.
Do what you can to make a good impression, but not at the cost of being untrue to yourself. People are quick to notice when you pretend to be someone you're not. Also, when you don't know something off-hand or don't immediately have a good answer to a question, just say so. Openness and honesty are still highly appreciated.
Assessments are simulations of real-life situations conducted to determine how you would perform. You can prepare for assessments by practicing. A psychological evaluation consists of an intake, written tests, and possibly a (case) simulation. Your employer will try to gauge your competencies based on that evaluation. Assessments can be performed before a selection procedure, or to confirm a candidate's qualities. More information:
- Enhance your assessment skills!
More tips? (in Dutch):
