OXFORD

APPLICATION ESSENTIALS
D
IDENTIFY AND EVIDENCE
THE REQUIRED SKILLS...
Identifying the skills and competencies required for a role can
be straightforward because these are often listed in the job
Even where these are not clear, or when making a speculative
approach, you should try to identify which core employability
By talking to people who work in the sector you can also gain
a sense of which personal qualities are most important and
begin to understand the contrasting styles and cultures of
Effective applications are supported throughout by evidence –
not work, not least because anybody can make that assertion!
Cosider the following example and weigh the value of the
ASSERTION OR EVIDENCE?
] I will make a strong contribution at [Company’s name]
because I am a good team player and natural leader.
] Last Spring, my leadership enabled our student
consultancy team to make robust recommendations
to our client, a local charity, on how to increase
volunteering amongst 6th Formers based on over
100 survey responses.
The examples you use in written applications and interviews
can be drawn from a variety of activities as transferrable skills
are developed in many situations – through your studies,
examples that:
] Relate to what you actually did, rather than what you might
]
]
]
]
]
From building your CV to answering competency based
questions in interviews, you can add structure to your evidence
REMEMBER
Lastly, remember that recruiters are not mind readers, and
] Be direct and state how you meet the criteria clearly, with
] Mirror the language used in their recruitment literature to:
enable software used to scan applications to match your
] Highlight relevant aspects of your background, knowledge
]
For example, you might explain why a role is a natural
progression from your studies, or highlight how insights from
Lauriane Anderson Mair
Marketing Product Manager, L’Oréal
Think strategically. Throughout the
application process, step into the
shoes of a brand’s general manager
and think about what skills you
would need to make business
decisions requiring significant
investment: Is it the right tone
for my brand? Will it increase my
market share? Will it be profitable?
Is it realistic in the time frames? Is it good for the longterm
strategy of the business?
Demonstrate that you are not just focussed on the dayto-day
and that you have the potential to become a
future business leader.
(See Lauriane's profile on p.127)
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