Identifying your skillsHND courses help you develop valuable technical and vocational skills. The profession you wish to pursue will affect your particular skill development. Throughout your studies you have acquired core transferable skills, in addition to technical skills, which may be valuable to a future employer. These include: - oral and written communication skills;
- networking;
- numeracy skills;
- IT skills;
- critical, analytical and problem-solving skills;
- organisation;
- time management;
- decision making;
- self-discipline;
- teamwork;
- leadership;
- flexibility.
Refer to options with your subject and explore types of jobs, to learn more about the skills acquired on your HND course that prospective employers may desire. back to top Identifying your unique strengthsWhen planning your future, it may be useful to do a skills audit. A skills audit is a self-reflective process where you identify the skills and strengths that you already have that affect your employability. They might include some of the core transferable skills listed above. A good way to start a skills audit is to draw a table with your skills listed by row. Against each skill, note your level of competency and think of examples or evidence that demonstrate your ability. Finally, identify areas where you may need further knowledge or training to reach the skill level that you need. Consider the following when you conduct your skills audit: - specific skills you have developed as a result of your qualification;
- work experience you have completed;
- job-specific and transferable skills you have acquired;
- skills you have developed through extracurricular activities, such as volunteering, art, sport, music, drama, etc.;
- positive feedback you have received throughout your course and activities.
The skills audit will help you: - recollect skills which you may not have thought of or which you may not have considered to be important or relevant;
- think of good, real-life examples to demonstrate your skills. These examples may be useful for interviews with universities or employers.
back to top Case StudyMichael, project engineer'I have worked in the rail engineering industry for the past 20 years. I have had a range of technical roles, from trainee technician to project engineer. I have been responsible for multi-disciplinary projects, ranging from small infrastructure renewals through to major multi-million pound infrastructure investment projects. A couple of years ago I decided I needed to gain experience and qualifications in business, so I decided to take an HND course in Business Management. I chose this particular course for its modular structure and content. It was based around the fundamental aspects of business instead of purely engineering or rail-orientated activities. The module subject matter involved a broad range of business subjects including accountancy, strategic management, human resource management and web design, plus other modules. I felt the topic content would help me better understand the mechanics of project and business management. The course helped me relate expenditure to project plans. I also learned about tools that managers use to change and adapt work procedures. The course taught me how to work with staff to maximise cooperation, productivity and manage change.' For more information on how to sell yourself see getting a job as well as your foundation degree...what next? You might also want to have a look at Windmills, a self-assessment tool that may help you identify your unique strengths and motivation.
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