Analysing facts and situations and being proactive in developing new solutions or approaches. Initiating an activity rather than 'joining in'.
While there are many lists of these ’employability’ skills, at Oxford we focus on the key eight skills – based on the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)’s report, Future Fit.
This page focuses on Initiative. To read more about the other seven employability skills, click on the links below.
These ideas are ways to start taking the initiative. You’re unlikely to use these as evidence of initiative in a written application, but they might be things you reference in conversation at interview.
Suggest activities to do with your group of friends, and make it happen. Don’t just be responsive.
Solve minor problems in your department/college in conjunction with staff. For example, issues which affect your mail room, catering, or welfare support.
