What are Research Skills?

In a nutshell, research skills help us find answers to questions.

Research skills are the ability to search for, find, collect, analyse, interpret and evaluate information that is relevant to the subject being studied.

Research shapes the future, it teaches us new things and helps us adapt and evolve.



Everyone is a Researcher!

We all Research, even if we don't know it.

If you use Google, you're doing Research.

If you're using a comparison site to find the cheapest clothes, games, holidays, airfares etc  You're a Researcher.

Do you spend every spare second looking for interesting TikTok videos?

You're a Researcher!

Why not use these same skills for finding and preparing for your career.



Why are Research Skills important?

Employers love research skills. Research is an important part of business because it helps companies:

• Report writing
• Keep an eye on their competitors
• Develop new products
• Identify what customers want
• Get better at what they do
• Keep up with changing technologies

Research skills show companies you're able to suggest new ideas and help the business adapt to the ever changing world we live in.



Research saves money

Launching a new product is expensive.

Research helps companies find out if anyone will buy it.

Launching a product without research is risky. There might not be a demand for it. The money spent on launch, marketing and production could've been saved if the company did some research.



How can you gain Research Skills?

You can research using tools and methods like:

• The internet
• Books
• Interviews
• Surveys
• Journal
• Experiments
• Articles
• Studies



In Interviews

Talk about what you researched, how you did it and what you found. The interviewer will quickly pick up that you have Research Skills and that you must be interested in the job/apprenticeship if you've spent time looking things up in advance.



Show What You Know

Demonstrate your research skills by sharing what you know about the industry or company you want to work for. The more you know, the more likely you are to impress. And don't be shy about it.





Some Research Sites for you

Take the Buzz Quiz and see what Careers are suitable for you

Live Apprenticeship Search

Add your Research Skills to your CV/Application Form

Especially if you're applying for a job that requires research skills.

In most cases, your CV/Application Form is your chance to make a first impression. Your CV will help employers check you've got the right skills. If they can see you've got them, it's likely you'll get to the next stage.



Examples of Research Skills

Here's a list of some research skills for your CV:

• Report writing
• Data collection
• Analysis of information from different sources
• Finding information off the internet
• Critical thinking
• Planning and scheduling
• Interviewing
• Critical analysis