Impress employers in applications and interviews

Posted on 5 March 2025 • CVs and applications, Interviews and assessments, Jobs, internships and work experience, Networking and social media, Volunteering

Employers want the strengths, experience and skills you have gained from life and from studying at the OU. They increasingly say they particularly value communication skills, initiative and commercial or sector awareness. As well as getting started on your interview skills, you need to show that you understand the core values of the business or organisation you’re applying to, and why you’re a good fit for the role. Here’s how.

Connect with employers at live events

Make the most of live events and careers fairs to connect with employers, find out more about their core values and what they’re looking for in applications. Keep up to date with employer events and other opportunities in our monthly Careers Express newsletter.

Catch up on our recorded employer webinars

Remember you can always watch our recorded employer webinars for further insights and application tips. We record most employer events, useful if you can’t attend on the day.

Show your passion and personality: research the sector

“For me, it shows the richness of life, the complete person… It’s evidence that you are someone who can get dedicated to things,” says Jack Harrington, CEO of the British Academy of Management, OU MBA graduate and guest on OU In Office Hours podcast.

It’s increasingly important to show your passion and personality to stand out in a sea of AI-generated generic applications. Showing that you understand a sector by researching industry reports using our labour market information tool not only demonstrates that you understand a sector but also shows employers you’re interested in the role and their business.

Apply what you’ve learned to applications and interviews

“When you’re going through the interview and CV process, it’s as important to be able to articulate the ‘how’ you’ve achieved what you’ve achieved, as it is to ‘what’ you have achieved. This will enable you and the organisation to assess whether, as two parties together, you will be a good fit” Cormac Twomey, Director, Clear Ridge Consulting

Now you’ve engaged with employers and done your research about them and their sector, you’re ready to impress in applications and interviews.