7 Key Employability Tips for A-Level and BTEC Business Students

In a competitive jobs market, there can be hundreds of applicants for a widely appealing job role. Often, other candidates will have achieved similar grades to you, and so it is essential that you have a well-rounded application that shows off your other experience. Here are 7 top tips to help you gain some key employability skills and stand out from the crowd.  

1.     Gain work experience. Most employers and university admissions teams like to see some work experience from their candidates, and it does not have to be a full-time 2-week placement in a specific area either. Yes, finding a work experience placement can be tricky whatever your interests are, but a lot of things can be learned from simply asking to shadow a member of staff.  

For example, if you are hoping to find an apprenticeship in marketing, or pursue a degree course in this area, you could visit local businesses or schools and ask to spend a few days shadowing their marketing manager. This would involve spending a working day with them, joining meetings they are attending, and meeting their clients in order to experience what their daily work life is like.  

You may find an opportunity to establish connections and positive relationships with people and pick up a few handy pieces of advice. Alongside being great experience, you can also add this to your UCAS personal statement, talk about it in interviews, and include it in your CV.  

2.     Find a mentor. You may have heard about the huge upswing in the number of life coaches available both online and in person. A mentor is like a coach in that they will advise and invest in your career development. They may become a role model for you and help you to establish your chosen career. This of course is not someone you will spend every day with, but you might want to commit to a 20-minute chat each week, either in person or a phone call / video chat.  

Many professional adults will see the value in becoming a mentor and will take the time to spend with you. It may also benefit them and their career to be able to say that they are a mentor for young adults! If you’re wondering where to start, take a look around at the people you admire. Do you know a local business owner who runs a very successful small business? Does anyone at home know anybody who might be interested in this opportunity? You could even ask your teachers to contact ex-students who progressed onto business apprenticeships or further study. Send them an email to ask them if they would consider being your mentor for a few months and you never know just how long this could continue. You might just flatter somebody, too!        

3.     Network. Many opportunities in life arrive from places you did not even think of looking. Some of the most varied and interesting work opportunities I have had have come out of the blue from the most unexpected sources. If you haven’t already, create a LinkedIn profile and establish connections with people you meet along your journey. LinkedIn is an employment-focused social media site designed to help establish professional relationships and is also used by employers to find suitable job applicants, so be careful what you post on there!

You could add interesting people you meet at a work experience placement or follow some high-profile entrepreneurs that have a regular presence on LinkedIn, such as Stephen Bartlett who founded Flight Story, and Rose Dyson who formed Pura Cosmetics at the age of 18. It’s also a place for you to showcase what you’re working on, share new work experiences, highlight skills you have learned or are learning, and engage with others’ experiences.  

4.     Follow events in the business and economic environment. Not only will this help with your business course, but it will give you a better understanding of how events in the world affect the business environment and provides an opportunity to engage with employers about current affairs. In the UK we have seen inflation rise to over 10% in the last year, caused by multiple factors including the invasion of Ukraine, and Brexit trade complications. This has had a significant impact on many industries, in particular those primarily involved in manufacturing. It has increased the costs of production which many businesses then need to pass onto consumers by way of higher prices, which affects us all as consumers.  

Another recent economic change in the UK in 2023 was the Bank of England’s recent increase in interest rates to 4%. As a business student you will already have a good understanding of how this can negatively affect some individuals, and benefit others. This can raise the repayments for those individuals who have borrowed money from a bank, such as a business loan or mortgage and have a knock-on effect on their business spending.  

Higher interest rates can benefit those individuals who are able to save money as increases the interest rewards given by their banks. It can also attract investment in the UK and businesses with cash in the bank. Understanding these external factors can equip you with knowledge about your own personal finance, but also how real businesses are impacted.  

Whether you are planning to set up your own business, or work for an organisation as an employee, it is important to understand the global and local factors that could impact it.  

5.     Practice your interview technique. Whether you’re invited to interview for an apprenticeship, a university place or a part-time job, practising will help you to become familiar in what can feel like a high-pressured situation. You could ask a teacher, family member, or friend to participate in a mock interview with you.  

Remember, organisation is everything. You may want to write a list of questions that you feel you might be asked in the interview. Common questions include being asked why you would like the job / apprenticeship / university place, and you should prepare some suitable responses that demonstrates that you have taken time to do your research and how you fit what they’re searching for.  

For example, you might be attending an interview for an apprenticeship for a multinational car manufacturer. Do you know the business’s mission statement and objectives? Does the business have a corporate social responsibility pledge? Show that you are interested and prepare some questions for your interviewers, too. You could ask about the induction training process, and if they have anyone who would be willing to mentor you during your induction process.  

First impressions count, so remember to figure out your journey in advance and ensure you arrive on time. Be suitably dressed and know who to ask for if you’re being greeted by a receptionist rather than the interviewer.  

6.     Learn a new language. Especially in the business environment, being able to speak an additional language is an incredibly useful, and well-respected skill. You will be able to converse with more people and being bilingual may also present travel opportunities. With a declining number of UK citizens learning foreign languages, it is an excellent way to stand out from the crowd in a pool of candidates.  

There are many fun and engaging ways to learn new languages that don’t involve writing down long lists of verbs! Apps like Duolingo and Babbel receive incredibly positive reviews and can make learning feel like playing a game. If you have Audible, there are many great audiobooks that can help you learn during your daily commute or whilst exercising. And of course, there are lots of popular YouTubers and social media accounts that could help you to learn a new language if you prefer to watch videos. If you’ve a very busy lifestyle, aim to practice for 15 minutes a day and pick the method you feel most engages you. 

Stating that you’re learning a new language, or any skill for that matter, shows proactivity and a keenness to develop as an individual. The language does not have to be foreign. Did you know that British Sign Language (BSL) is the fourth most common spoken language in the UK? As there are 11 million UK citizens with hearing disabilities, this could be an excellent and inclusive way to communicate with others. 

7.     Volunteer. Not only is volunteering a wonderful way to gain work experience and meet new contacts, but it is also incredibly fulfilling, rewarding, and looks brilliant on your CV. You could also make a real difference to the lives of others in the community, alongside having fun and learning new skills. Studies have proven that volunteering can help to improve both physical and mental health in many individuals.  

You could look at volunteering in your local area, for instance, in animal shelters, care facilities, or even your local school. Another option would be to sign up to train to be a volunteer with St. John Ambulance, or with a local charity. 

Again, those of you with busy lifestyles may struggle to find time to turn volunteering into a regular commitment. You could allocate a couple of hours each month, or a week following the completion of your course in the summer.

So don’t forget! 

Stand out from the crowd! A young adult who has undertaken a work experience placement with a local firm of solicitors, volunteers at a dog shelter, and is learning to speak Spanish, is likely to have much more confidence and a wider range of skills than an individual who does not make effective use of their leisure time. If you’re too busy with your studies, plan ahead and consider trying a few of the above tips during your summer break.  

Best of luck! 

This blog post was submitted by Lorna (Edexcel Business Tutor)