Gaining experience outside of the workplace

Stripe

Stripe

Stripe

Associate
Joined
28 Aug 2005
Posts
221
Evening all.

I'm currently spending my evenings trying to fill in application forms for graduate jobs. The problem I'm finding though is on questions which say "give an example of a time where you've had responsibility / shown leadership etc.". See, I just don't have any answers to these questions.

At uni, I played in a couple of football teams and was a member of a few societies but i wasn't president or captain or anything. I worked in a cinema before and during uni, but cleaning up sick and tearing tickets hardly shows any useful skills.

So I'm wondering, how can I demonstrate that I am able in these areas? I do feel I'm responsible and in group exercises for this uni careers module I did, it came across that I had good leadership abilities. I just need some sort of activity that I can do outside of work (I temp in an office atm - I work totally alone and have the least amount of responsibility in the world).

so, err, any ideas please?
 
Im in the same situation as you, however im going into my final year


im trying to gain some experience now while i can :/

Im captaining an 11 a side football team in the Uni's ladder when i get back...at least thats something. Also getting my own Radio show and joining the Big band


Im most likely going to do some voluntary work this summer, i recommend you get some too.

also keep reading prospects.ac.uk and sites like that for advice
 
You wait for the interviews when you're asked about 100 "Give me an example of a time when you showed <insert desirable job characteristic here>?"

I ended up creating these hugely exaggerated scenarios based on the most minor things that had happened in my limited job experience and stuff I'd done at uni. Seemed to work though.
 
No harm in exagerating a few things from old part time jobs or University group projects. Also worth remembering these are Graduate positions they are trying to fill if they were looking for a huge amount of highly relevant experience they woudln't be recruting graduates. These forms are just a way of showing that you have done a little more than studya a basic degree and that you have the potential to achieve more. The most important aspect of these forms is geting to the interview where fingers crossed your personality will get you the job. My advice make sure you do a thorough job and present the form well as a lot will just get chucked without being read due to bad presentation or incompleteness etc.

PS good luck!
 
cool thanks. My application form for the job I really want is approved and I'm through to the aptitude testing stages so I guess my exagerrated stories are doing ok for me atm.

cheers all.
 
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