Turning everyday skills into superpowers

Researchers at Robert Gordon University sought to address persistent recruitment challenges in STEM by addressing misalignments between graduate capabilities and job description expectations

The study, funded by the Jisc careers research grant, explored ways to help students recognise and articulate their existing skills more effectively, while encouraging employers to create more inclusive and realistic role descriptors.

Key findings

• A recurrent challenge is the implicit nature of many soft skills within STEM degree programmes, which are embedded but not necessarily named or signposted. This means students and graduates struggle to recognise and articulate them in job applications and interviews.
• Graduates lack confidence and self-awareness when discussing their own strengths.
• Many employers default to evaluating candidates primarily on technical expertise, assuming that soft skills can be developed later, on the job.
• Students and graduates can be confused when core attributes sought by employers, such as emotional intelligence and self-motivation, are not made explicit in their curriculum or in job descriptions.
• It is difficult for students and graduates to prepare for job applications where employers assess indefinable qualities that are not covered in competency frameworks, such as whether they will be easy to work with.
• Participants recommended embedding more structured opportunities for students to identify and reflect on their skills throughout their degree.

About the report

This report aimed to identify difficult-to-articulate skills in STEM job descriptions, examine the alignment between job descriptions and graduate learning outcomes, and co-create resources to support students.

The research consisted of a workshop involving careers professionals, recruiters, final-year STEM students and academics, and a follow-up survey. It provides recommendations for higher education institutions, employers, and careers services, plus next steps for the study.

This research was funded by the Jisc careers research grant. If you're a careers professional planning to undertake research, you may be eligible for funding of up to £5,000.