And

Developing Your Employability Skills

Developing and Describing Your Employability Skills The ‘soft’ skills you gained through the completion of your research work are relevant to employment opportunities. To increase your opportunity of success when applying for jobs it is important to effectively incorporate relevant examples into your job applications and interviews. When deciding which examples to use, take in to account the job responsibilities and the industry you are applying to. Use appropriate language to demonstrate how you developed the soft skills relevant for the workplace environment. The examples in the table show how research experiences can develop employability skills. Do not copy the examples, but use the format to identify and describe the employability skills you have developed through your research.

Your Employability Skills

Task/responsibility Appropriate Terminology Employability Category

Literature reviews Wrote a comprehensive literature review of prevention programs on the

child rearing and disciplining behaviour of single mothers aged 25-30 Communication

Presented research at national

and international conferences

Presented research papers at Science Association Conferences in

Australia, Canada, Mexico and Brazil Communication

Shadowed a person from a

different department

Initiated and completed a work shadowing a Doctor of Molecular Science

for a period of two weeks at Monash University to enhance Honours

project

Learning

Research proposals Submitted and presented a research proposal at the Health Industry

Conference which resulted in a research grant of $150,000 Learning

Monitored budgets Monitored the research grant budget through preparation of quarterly and

annual financial reports

Time Management

Problem Solving

Planning and Organising

Data analysis for results

presentation and publication

Analysed data from surveys and drafted an executive summary to be

included with the presentation and publication of results for the client

Planning and Organising

Self Management

Communication skills

Followed institution/organisation

guidelines

Adhered to Monash University style guides when producing

documentation for publication

Planning and Organising

Self Management

Inducted staff Inducted new staff to the organisation, providing them with information

and training on applicable company procedures and policies Teamwork

Informed the supervisor of

problems

Produced a briefing discussion paper for supervisor outlining research

issues and summarised possible solutions

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Delivered research programs Received positive feedback from a one day seminar which was delivered

to first year university students on ‘Research in Geology’

Communication

Interpersonal

Participated in group activities

Collaborated with experts from local and international research institutions

as the Secretary of the Young Scientists Association of Australasia to

design an industry satisfaction survey which was distributed to over 500

members with a 75% response rate

Team Work

Interpersonal Skills

Mentored graduate and honours

students

As part of mentoring program met with graduate and honours students on

a weekly basis for two months to discuss their transition into a laboratory

to maintain retention levels

Teamwork

Communication

Employability Skills – Uni based activities

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Developed new procedures

Developed a newsletter to improve office communication which was sent

out each month to all staff, advising of changes in administrative policies

and procedures

Initiative

Edited conference papers Proof read and edited over twenty conference papers for the Professor of

Zoology at Monash University Communication

Kept staff up to date with

developments regarding best

practice

Circulated fortnightly updates on best practice developments and the

impacts for the organisation

Initiative

Communication

Planning and Organising

Communicated research findings Demonstrated ability to correctly interpret and clearly communicate

research findings within refereed journal publications Communication

Managed research projects

As research project team leader developed a spreadsheet to keep track of

all delegated duties and progress so that project was completed on time

and to budget

Organisational

Interpersonal Skills

Spoke to internal and external

stakeholders

Verbally liaised with and sought feedback from internal and external

stakeholders when designing the industry satisfaction survey on behalf of

the Young Scientists Association of Australasia to ensure key industry

issues were addressed

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Participated in team meetings Prepared and distributed agendas, submission summaries and minutes

and acted as Chair for Board meetings

Communication Skills

Team Work

Your Personal Attributes

In addition to the development of employability skills, your research experience can help you gain evidence of how you have demonstrated your personal attributes. While thinking of the examples showing your skills don’t forget personal attributes.

Persistence Motivation Reliability

Common sense Loyalty Positive self esteem

Sense of humour Professional Presentation Adaptability

Honesty and Integrity Enthusiasm Ability to deal with pressure

Commitment Hard-working Dedication

Further reading See our resources on the Employability Skills Table and resources about employability skills gained through working in retail, study abroad, clubs and societies and research work.

General enquiries T: 9905 4170 E: careers.info@ monash.edu W: careers.monash.edu

Disclaimer: Information was current at the time of writing and is intended as a guide only Adapted by Monash University Employment and Career Development, 2012