What is Employability?

'Employability' is not the same thing as employment.  While securing a job is a priority for most students, it is possible to see employability in both the short term (getting a job after graduating) but also worth thinking about longer term development, the ability to adapt and develop to remain employable throughout one's career (Watts, 2006).

 While there is much debate about what the term employability means, Mantz York provides a useful definition.

a set of achievements – skills, understandings and personal attributes – that makes
graduates more likely to gain employment and be successful in their chosen
occupations, which benefits themselves, the workforce, the community and the
economy.

York, M (2006) Employability in higher education: what it is – what it is not

How can you become more employable?

Employability is not just about generic, 'transferable' skills divorced from academic study.  However, many of the skills that will enable you to succeed in your studies will also be of use afterwards. Knowledge of your subject is of course important, but being critical and analytical is important for both studying at university and beyond; these are the types of attributes employers expect in graduates.

Employability can also include the ability to 'fit into organisational culture and add value through working effectively with others' (Harvey, Moon and Geall, 1997).  To succeed at university it is important to adapt to its particular 'organisational culture' and and studying with others and working effectively in groups is one of the key skills you can develop.   

Further Information

The University of Surrey Careers Service offers comprehensive support to Surrey students and graduates on all aspects of career development, including helping you to identify what you want to do to, hosting visits from employers and helping you improve your job applications.  The Careers Service also includes drop-in Quick query sessions.

Destinations is a resource that is available to University of Surrey students that can help you to reflect on your career aspirations throughout your time studying, from advice on starting at university through part-time jobs and analysing your own skills to video clips of employers talking about what they are looking for in candidates. 

The Prospects website is the official graduate careers site, including advice for students (including international students), listings of job opportunities and a range of careers advice tips.