BEST Attributes Framework
What’s all this talk about attributes?
How do you develop your attributes?
The CBI / EDI annual Education & Skills survey carried
Everything you do is about attributes. Your work, your studies,
out in 2011 interviewed 566 directors to gain their views
your social life, your fun times and your household
on how satisfied they were with the skills and qualities in
responsibilities! On your course of study you will:
their graduate applicants and recruits. Here is how they

Work in teams
ranked the attributes they were not satisfied with:

Design, write and give presentations
1. Business/customer awareness
44%

Solve problems
2. Relevant work experience
42%

Use research & analytical skills
3. Self-management
25%

Communicate in writing, verbally and even in body
4. Knowledge about chosen job
24%
5. Team working
20%
But what about the rest of your life? You can count as evidence
6. Problem solving
19%
of your attributes activities you undertake like:
7. Basic literacy / use of English
17%

Your paid and unpaid work experience
8. Positive attitude to work
15%

Organising a social event or holiday
9. Basic numeracy skills
9%

Handling your student / personal finances
10. Use of IT
5%

Student union or volunteer activities

Family/independent living responsibilities
When asked to rate employability skills compared to the
specific occupational, technical or academic knowledge
and skills associated with their degree, 82% of graduate
employers placed more importance on employability
skills (The CBI / EDI Education & Skills, May 2011)
language!
When you think about it you will see you have lots of experiences
to draw on when you have to gather evidence for your attributes.
And if there are gaps … well, all of those activities listed above
will help you develop those missing attributes
Birmingham City University: CELT: Sept 2011: Need help? Contact Career and Job Prospects team https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/careers
BEST Attributes Framework
Fundamental skills
Oral/Written Communication
The ability to communicate formally
and informally, verbally and in the
written form, with a wide range of
people, both internal and external of
the organisation
Numeracy
Able to use, analyse and present
numerical data in appropriate
contexts
IT Skills
Use, present and communicate
information using a variety of IT skills
and software
Explanation and student guidance
notes
This is a list of attributes that
recent surveys of British
employers show as most valued in
new graduates who come to work
for them.
Many of these also correlate with
those often called ‘academic’ or
‘study’ skills.
In other words, these attributes
can do you a double duty – help
you with your studies AND make
you more employable
Please think carefully where to
target your attribute development
for the coming academic year.
Thinking skills
Reflection
Able to reflect upon, analyse and
learn from significant experiences to
support and encourage self
understanding
Action Planning and
Organisational skills
Ability to plan, develop and oversee
projects / events from start to finish:
time management, reliability &
attention to detail
Analysis and Decision Making
Able to reach a position, opinion or
judgment demonstrating a critical
consideration of the options
Problem Solving
Define and apply strategies for
changing or resolving a situation or
problem. Evaluate and review
method used
Ability to put theory into practice
Able to clearly understand theory
and integrate theoretical concepts
into practical work.
Enterprise, Creativity and
Innovation
Create and develop original ways of
working and problem solving –
‘thinking outside the box’;
developing a positive attitude to risk,
being resourceful and resilient
Work Awareness
An understanding of appropriate
relationships with a wide range of
individuals, commercial and political
awareness in a work context
People and Social skills
Team working
Able to co-operate and communicate
effectively with others. Contribute to a
group to meet shared objectives.
Contribute to an atmosphere that
supports / empowers all group members
Self Belief
Self promotion and confidence in ones
own identified strengths, abilities and
capabilities. Having a positive attitude
Personal Development skills
Integrity and honesty
Demonstrate the ability to develop a
relationship over time showing
honesty, reliability, and fairness. An
understanding of right from wrong
and consideration of ethical dilemmas
Self Awareness
Awareness of personal
characteristics and traits. Ability to
identify – and articulate - their own
strengths, weaknesses and values
Influence and Negotiating
Identify desired outcomes, show
flexibility in negotiating assertively to
reach mutually agreed outcomes
Career Management
Demonstrate relevant work
experience, ability to assess current /
future situation and plan development
in relation to employment
Adaptability and Flexibility
Able to manage change in an
adaptable and flexible manner.
Ability to ‘think on feet’ and change
styles in different situations
Commitment
Demonstrate motivation towards
goals, showing passion and
dedication. Being tenacious and
maintaining focus
Leadership
Able to take a leadership role allowing
others to contribute effectively, whilst
accommodating differences in opinion
Networking
Establish and maintain working and
communicative relationships with others
to support and further their own
objectives, identify role models and
develop a professional identity
Interpersonal skills
The ability to relate to, and feel
comfortable with people at all levels, to
be able to make and maintain
relationships as circumstances change,
to be able to demonstrate active
listening
Independent Working
Take control and responsibility of own
contribution within set boundaries or
constrictions. Work without supervision
to meet a set target
Specialist Attribute
Specialist Attribute
Birmingham City University: CELT: Sept 2011: Need help? Contact Career and Job Prospects team https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/careers
Fundamental skills
Oral/Written Communication
Thinking skills
Reflection
People and Social skills
Team working
Personal Development skill
Integrity and honesty
Numeracy
Action Planning and Organisational
skills
Self Belief
Self Awareness
IT Skills
Analysis and Decision Making
Influence and Negotiating
Career Management
Explanation and student guidance
notes
Problem Solving
Leadership
Adaptability and Flexibility
Ability to put theory into practice
Networking
Commitment
Enterprise, Creativity and Innovation
Interpersonal skills
Specialist Attribute
Work Awareness
Independent Working
Specialist Attribute
Go through the attributes outlined
here and put evidence against as
many of them as you can.
Remember these are all ‘generic’
attributes that will help you be more
successful now and in the future.
Employers value all of these, so
regardless of the job you want, it is
important that you have evidence of
experience with each attribute.
Once you have tried to fill in all the
gaps select three that you feel you
could improve upon and make an
action plan for how you will develop
yourself in these areas.
Birmingham City University: CELT: Sept 2011: Need help? Contact Career and Job Prospects team https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/careers
Your Action Plan for Developing THREE of Your Attributes
Attribute One:
Attribute Two:
Attribute Three:
Specific – what exactly are you
trying to achieve?
Measurable – give details of
targets, outcomes, results you
are seeking to achieve
Achievable – Are your targets
realistic and easy enough to
achieve in the time you are giving
yourself
Resources – do you know who
and what can help you to achieve
your targets?
Time – set times/dates for
starting, and completing your
targets
Evaluation – have you included
continuously checking your plan /
your targets?
Review – has it worked, did it
make a difference, and do you
want to make further changes?
Need help? Contact Career and Job Prospects team https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/careers
Birmingham City University: CELT: Sept 2011: Need help? Contact Career and Job Prospects team https://icity.bcu.ac.uk/careers