You may have come across the term ‘commercial awareness’ and felt a bit puzzled. The truth is, you probably already have it without even realising it. Commercial awareness means understanding what’s happening around us and in the wider world, being aware of the key events that influence the environment we live in.

When graduates apply for internships or jobs, employers look for candidates who demonstrate commercial awareness. Showing that you possess this skill indicates to employers that you are alert, curious, and knowledgeable. Having strong commercial awareness can really help you stand out, especially during the interview phase.

Commercial awareness involves staying informed about the latest developments affecting the specific industry you’re interested in. This skill shows employers that you grasp how the sector operates, recognise the key events influencing it, and understand the competitive landscape.

Demonstrating this knowledge signals to employers that you are well-versed in the sector’s dynamics and a strong candidate. Moreover, you can take it further by analysing how companies react to various challenges and showcasing your problem-solving abilities relevant to the role you’re seeking.

Interview prep

When getting ready for an interview with a particular company, it’s important to develop commercial awareness specific to that organisation. This means researching both the company and the industry in which it operates. Even if there aren’t recent news stories about the company itself, there might be events in the sector that have impacted it indirectly. Beyond staying up-to-date with current happenings, understanding the company’s priorities and future goals allows you to show genuine enthusiasm for the role and explain why you’re eager to join their team.

Building commercial awareness is straightforward by following relevant social media accounts and subscribing to news sources related to your desired industry and field of study. The key to staying informed is setting aside dedicated time each day to read or listen to the news consistently.

It’s important to think critically about the news you consume. Simply knowing what happened isn’t enough, you need to understand why it happened and consider the various impacts it might have. A great way to do this is by applying what you’ve learned in your studies to real-world situations.

If the news covers topics outside your field, try exploring discussions or opinions from others to gain different perspectives. Once you fully understand an event, you can form your own informed opinion and use that to support your views.

Demonstrating this level of critical thinking shows employers that you possess a key skill they value. Keeping this approach in mind will help you confidently discuss news stories in interviews and showcase strong commercial awareness.