Increase your chances of success

Gradlinc Employability Award

Start building your CV by signing up to Gradlinc and joining our Award system

How 
prepared 
employable 
are you?

More than…

0%
of employers feel that graduates are NOT work-ready

What about you?

Take our survey  and find out. Make sure you take the survey before you read the explanations below!

This section focuses on the exposure you have had to employment opportunities before and how you approach the working environment.

Don’t worry if you’ve never been employed before, this is why we are here and the Gradlinc Employability Award is your ticket to building a competitive personal brand and career profile!

Think about your answers to the questions. The following are key takeaways to keep in mind:

  • Most institutions have career counsellors on campus. If there is any part of you that feels unsure about your chosen career, make an appointment and go see them. It’s free. Gradlinc is also onboarding career coaches from next year that you can consult with.
  • Always keep email communication professional – address the person respectfully (DEAR and not HI), use their name (check the spelling) and don’t use conversation you will use with your friends.
  • Teamwork is always an important factor in the working environment. Make an effort if this is not something that comes naturally.
  • Deadlines are crucial when you start working. Don’t take a assignment approach thinking you might get an extension. You might get a warning instead.
  • Taking a bit of initiative at work is a good thing. Help out where you can and do yoru research before you propose a new idea.

This section looks at your CV and skills you should focus on.

  • If you don’t have a CV, start building one TODAY. You can create a free CV on Gradlinc.
  • These are all skills employers might be on the lookout for but some might be more important in certain industries than others. Do research on your industry to understand what is important. Confidence might be crucial in a marketing or sales role but written communication is pertinent in copywriting.
  • Have realistic salary expectations. Payscale or Talent.Com or Paylab offers benchmarking salaries for most industries.
  • Read up about the company on their website and also on Glassdoor if you can find them there. This website offers reviews from employees and interviewees at companies.

This information is purely to understand which industry you are studying towards and which institution to build up a user profile and provide you with more tailored resources in future.

It's all about 5-star Employability

 These invaluable skills not only enhance your employability but also position you as a well-rounded professional ready to thrive in diverse work environments. As you embark on this journey, remember that your dedication to developing soft skills today lays the foundation for your success in the professional world tomorrow.

There are 3 levels that you can achieve, that will contribute your CV and added as a ‘badge’ to your CV, showing employers what you are capable of.

what you need to do

Criteria to qualify for these awards are:

  • Volunteer Work
  • Learnership/ Internship experience
  • Extracurricular activities i.e societies or SRC involvement
  • Additional learning/ short courses/ skills assessments
  • LinkedIn Profile Audit
  • Workshops attended about career or professional development
  • Wildcard – additional evidence of personal or professional growth activities
  • Complete a mock interview on the Gradlinc platform

 

Why not start building your CV as you complete these activities?

Earn these badges to build your CV

There are 3 levels that you can achieve, that will contribute your CV and added as a ‘badge’ to your CV, showing employers what you are capable of.

Emerald Badge

Ruby Badge

Diamond Badge

upload your documents

How does it work?

How to earn your BADGE

Criteria to Earn Badges

Mock Interviews

Is rehearsing in front of the mirror not working? Do you need to brush up on your skills ? Gradlinc is offering FREE usage of the revolutionary platform Shortlist.Me for all of our candidates.

Shortlist.Me is an employment-readiness solution that transforms the way mock online interviews are facilitated. Shortlist.Me helps to better equip students for employment through practical application and developmental feedback. 

Sign up to Gradlinc to access the mock interviews from Shortlist.Me and start practising!

What skills do I gain?

Imagine you can add these skills to your CV!

Volunteer Work
  • Empathy and Understanding: Working voluntarily often involves helping others or contributing to a cause, building compassion and understanding.
  • Teamwork: Collaborating with other volunteers to achieve common goals.
  • Communication Skills: Engaging with diverse groups of people.
  • Time Management: Balancing volunteer work with academic commitments.
Learnership/Internship Experience
  • Practical Job Skills: Hands-on experience in a professional setting.
  • Networking: Building relationships with professionals in the field.
  • Understanding of Work Environment: Navigating office dynamics and culture.
  • Professional Discipline: Adhering to workplace norms, ethics, and behaviors.
Extracurricular Activities (Societies or SRC involvement)
  • Leadership: Taking on roles that involve guiding or mentoring others.
  • Organisational Skills: Managing events or initiatives.
  • Collaboration: Working with diverse team members to achieve common objectives.
  • Conflict Resolution: Handling disagreements or challenges in group settings.
Additional Learning/Short Courses/Skills Assessments
  • Specialised Knowledge: Gaining specific skills or knowledge beyond the standard curriculum.
  • Self-initiative: Demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning.
  • Critical Thinking: Applying learned concepts in real-world situations.
Wildcard (Personal or Professional Growth Activities)
  • Adaptability: Showcasing a willingness to undertake diverse activities for growth.
  • Self-awareness: Reflecting on strengths, weaknesses, and areas of growth.
  • Innovative Thinking: Pursuing unique opportunities or challenges outside the box.
Interview Readiness Video:
  • Presentation Skills: Learning to communicate effectively in an interview setting.
  • Self-assessment: Understanding and articulating one’s qualifications and experiences.
  • Digital Proficiency: Familiarity with creating and sharing digital content.
we're here to help you

Start building your CV today!

In today’s dynamic job landscape, cultivating soft skills while still a student is a strategic investment that can shape the trajectory of your career. Beyond academic achievements, employers increasingly seek graduates who possess strong communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. By proactively enrolling in work-readiness programmes like ours, you’re equipping yourself with the tools to bridge the gap between academia and the workplace.