Depending on your degree, writing reports can be something you get very used to doing. But even if you have lots of academic writing experience or very little, professional writing can be a daunting exercise.

Professional writing doesn’t just mean writing as a profession, as in the case of an author or a journalist, it also refers to writing in the workplace. So even if you’re not considering a career in writing, it’s likely you’ll need these transferable and often essential skills for whatever role or sector you choose. Whether you’re interested in a career in communications or one in finance, it’s important to be clued up when it comes to professional writing.

Written exercises now form a significant part of many assessment centres and are designed to test your professional writing skills. They examine your ability to process large amounts of information quickly, decide what information is most important, analyse problems, reach conclusions and express yourself clearly and concisely.

Communication skills expert, Julie Wales, gives some useful tips on how to improve your professional writing in her guide on Guardian Careers. She lists five tips for graduates entering the world of professional writing:

1. Think clearly

2. Organise your ideas

3. Use clear headers

4. Help your reader navigate the text

5. Less is more

From written idea proposals to presentations, the professional world of report writing can leave graduates feeling nervous and confused. Devoting some time to work on your writing and presenting skills throughout your studies can help you get ready for the workplace...