Transferable Skills Case Study
Problem Solving
Problem solving is the ability to identify a challenge, understand its cause and develop practical solutions. It involves analysing the situation, testing possible approaches, and implementing actions that overcome obstacles or improve outcomes.
Why does this skill matter?
Problems occur in almost every area of study, work and daily life. Strong problem-solving skills help you stay calm when something goes wrong and find practical ways to move forward. At university, this might involve resolving issues in group projects, overcoming research challenges, or adapting when plans change. In professional settings, employers value people who can identify problems early and develop effective solutions.
Where will you use this skill at university and beyond?
… as part of your degree
You practise problem solving when troubleshooting experiments in lab work, resolving issues in group assignments, adapting research methods, or finding solutions when projects do not go as planned.
… as part of the wider student experience
Volunteering, part-time work, or organising events often involves dealing with unexpected situations. You may need to resolve logistical challenges, respond to last-minute changes, or help others overcome difficulties.
… as a professional in the future
In the workplace, problem solving is used when responding to unexpected challenges, improving processes, resolving team issues, or developing solutions to operational or technical problems.
Student insight
“Through my role as a Peer Career Supporter, I strengthened my problem-solving skills by identifying the challenges students faced and working with them to develop practical solutions. This highlighted the importance of understanding the root of a problem and adapting my approach to support others effectively.”
~ Student from the School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
How can you evidence this skill?
You might be able to evidence this skill through:
- Fixing something that previously wasn’t working
- Improving a process so it worked more efficiently
- Adapting quickly when something unexpected happened
- Resolving issues in lab work, research projects or dissertations
- Troubleshooting technology or equipment
- Finding solutions when plans change
How else might employers describe this skill?
You might also hear this skill described as…
- critical thinking
- troubleshooting
- resourcefulness
- finding solutions
- quick thinking
What are some example interview questions that feature this skill?
- Can you describe a time when you encountered a problem and how you solved it?
- Tell us about a situation where something did not go according to plan. How did you respond?
- Describe a challenge you faced while working with others and how you resolved it.
- Can you give an example of when you had to find a creative solution to a difficult problem?
What does a good response look like?
Question
Tell us about a situation where something did not go according to plan. How did you respond?
Response
Situation: I received some negative feedback on a presentation as part of an assignment, I had felt very nervous when preparing and this had affected my performance during it, running under time.
Task: I had another opportunity for a presentation later that semester and wanted to identify areas of improvement especially my confidence as this next presentation was a longer one and with a higher-grade weighting.
Action: The action I took was reaching out to my marker for feedback and to my seminar tutor for additional support. I was signposted to additional presenting skills resources which allowed me to address my main problem of feeling nervous during presentations.
Result: Reaching out for help allowed me to feel significantly more confident preparing for the next interview and allowed me to dedicate extra time to practising my presentation out loud, which eventually lead to a better presentation grade.