The UK has always been an international hub for overseas students aspiring to have a top-notch education combined with excellent cultural experience. However, due to the highly competitive nature of the UK employment market, international students may find it challenging to secure a part-time job or launch their career after graduation. In this article, we will cover some tips essential to your success in job hunting, both while you are still studying and after you have graduated.
Understanding your Visa Rights to Work
As an international student, the first step is to understand your right to work with regard to the regulations. If you have a student visa and are studying in the UK, you are normally allowed up to 20 hours work per week during the terms and full-time during holidays.
However, depending on the course and institution, there might be restrictions, so do make sure that you check the specific conditions of your visa. Knowing the terms and conditions of your visa, you can probably identify what kind of jobs you may be eligible to apply for either on-campus or off-campus.
Jobs can be found even where you study! On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Jobs
When thinking about part-time, you need to make the selection of either doing on-campus or off-campus jobs. There are both pros and cons in each of the options.
On-campus jobs have a general flexible number of hours. Therefore, you will have much more room to create a job/study balance. These might also be very convenient because they could be located close to your classes, like library assistants, research aides, or student ambassadors. On the other hand, these positions are generally quite limited and not always as diversified experience-wise as off-campus jobs.
Off-campus jobs can vary more and may pay better. Work experience can also be gained by working in retail, hospitality, or in internships in your field of study. You should consider that many of these opportunities may require you to dedicate a larger amount of time and may include commuting. Good time management is necessary to combine employment with academic responsibilities.
Write a Killer CV and Cover Letter
The CV and cover letter are two important documents in your job search. UK employers will usually look for well-structured CVs that clearly present skills, experience, and academic achievements.
Tailor your CV so the most relevant experience and skills are highlighted. Concentrate on your transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Ideally, your CV should be no longer than two pages. Make it easy to read using bullet points. Even though you may not have UK work experience, include any relevant roles or projects from your home country, and your volunteer work or extracurricular activities.
As for the cover letter, you must customise your cover letter according to the position you’re applying for. Use the cover letter to explain in more detail the skills and experience you have mentioned on your CV, and lay out why you are a perfect fit for the job.
Expand Your Network
One of the principal job search strategies in the UK is through networking. Networking is very important to the job hunt as several jobs normally never get advertised; hence, building professional networks will get you opportunities in this hidden employment market.
Find out more about career fairs, workshops, societies, and different networking events organised by your university. They are all ideal places to meet potential employers and receive information about the labour market.
Have a LinkedIn profile and keep updating it. Join groups that are relevant to your profession and ambition and participate in their discussions. Build professional and friendly rapports to expand your network.
Use Popular Platforms to Find the Right Job
Indeed, Reed, and LinkedIn are a few of the most popular UK job search websites. Continually check these websites for updates on new openings, and create job alerts.
A lot of universities offer their own job pages just for graduates and students. Usually, their websites feature graduate programmes, internships, and part-time employment options. Also, don’t forget to ask your university career service for advice during your period of studying.
Get Ready for Interviews
Your attention has to switch to interview preparation as soon as you begin getting answers from companies and receive an interview invitation. Employers in the UK utilise a variety of forms for their interviews, such as competency-based questions, video interviews, and panel interviews.
Research about the company’s beliefs and values, history, and most recent news. This will demonstrate your interest in the position and allow you to respond to their questions effectively. Prepare yourself to answer questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” or “What are your strengths and weaknesses? It could be tempting to wear casual clothes during an interview that you are taking from home. However, ensure you are dressed smartly, on point, from head to toe to make a good impression at the other end.
Any international student studying in the UK will thus discover that finding a job is challenging. However, with the correct approach and preparation, you can locate possibilities that fit your career aspirations. Just remember to keep updated with your visa regulations, build a good CV, and network. Make sure to use every chance and opportunity you have from the resources at your university. One thing that is necessary and must be done is securing at least part-time employment in the UK or launching a successful career by way of determination and persistence.
