How to Improve Your Employability as a University Student

What does employability actually mean?

Employability is about being ready for the job you want, not just any job. It’s basically a mix of what you know, what you can do and how you present yourself.

Your degree matters, but employers also look for practical skills, real-world experience, and people who can demonstrate they're the right fit. The good news? You can build all of this while you're still studying.

Build the skills employers are actually looking for

Employers want students who have soft skills like communication, problem-solving, teamwork and time management.

The best part is you’re already building these skills. Group projects help with collaboration skills, writing essays are great for attention to detail and communication skills. Take note of these now, you’ll be able to use these examples later.

There are also loads of ways to build technical skills, too. If you’re looking for a career in marketing, learn the basics of social media analytics or graphic design (Canva is amazing) with free online courses. Want to work in finance? Sharpen your Microsoft Excel knowledge.

Even if it’s small, it can make your CV stand out in a huge way.

Get work experience

Work experience shows employers that you understand what a job actually involves. Part-time jobs, summer internships and placements all count.

Internships and placement years are amazing ways of getting in with employers early. You’ll learn the technical ins and outs of the industry you’re in, meet talented people and get the chance to add professional career-focused experience to your CV. 

Companies also often get in touch with students they’ve worked with before when they start recruiting for graduate schemes.

If you’re in your first year, it’s never too early to start. Insight days and spring weeks are made for you and give you an inside look at how a company or industry works. They’re a great way to get in front of employers early, before you start applying for internships and placement years.

A part-time job also helps to build skills like customer service and resilience.

Join a society or volunteer

Joining a society is probably one of the easiest ways to build your skills.

Societies let you explore interests and develop leadership skills. Whether you join the debating society, run events for a sports club, or take on a committee role, you're building teamwork and organisational skills that employers love.

Volunteering works the same way. Not only does it show you have empathy, it also gives you real experience in event planning, fundraising and community outreach.

You don’t have to do too much either. Picking one or two activities and really getting involved is enough.

Learn to network

Networking might feel a little daunting, but it’s a great way of putting yourself out there and making genuine connections in the industries you’re interested in.

Attending careers fairs, industry events and alumni events are all great places to start. Talk to people, ask questions, get contacts and follow up with a quick email afterwards.

LinkedIn is also perfect for networking. You can connect with speakers, professionals in the industry you’re interested in and even your coursemates.

Don’t have one? Read our guide:

It’s not about trying to land a job on the spot, but really about connecting with people who you can learn from. You never know where a professional relationship could lead.

Use your university's careers service

There are so many reasons why you should use your university’s careers service. They do loads.

They can help with everything, including CV advice, running mock interviews and finding roles that are right for you. Many career advisors offer one-to-one meetings where you can talk about your career goals and get advice. The best part is, it’s free.

Careers services also advertise the latest work experience opportunities. They work with loads of job boards, employers and more to get you into virtual and in-person events and more.